The military often asks families to traverse the country during PCS seasons. Hidden within this very busy period of decision-making and goodbyes is the perfect opportunity for a subsidized road trip. With a bit of planning, you can craft an itinerary full of family favorites and check items off your bucket list.
When we are PCSing, I like to get a good idea of the budget we’re working with — aka our allotments — before jumping into the details. During travels, you’ll receive mileage reimbursement called MALT for up to two vehicles. This is meant to offset your vehicle operating costs for the official distance you are set to travel. You will also get per diem pay for everyone on the orders, which covers lodging, meals and incidentals. You can find official up-to-date rates at travel.dod.mil. Once you know your budget, you can start plotting your route with all of the fun stops along the way!
Unfortunately, there isn’t an activities allotment, but there are ways to keep out-of-pocket costs low. Look for activities that offer military discounts or use special military programs like Blue Star Museums. You can get free entrance to participating museums from Memorial Day to Labor Day, or visit a national park that offers free passes for the military. Any opportunity to get moving after a day of driving is a win.
The good news with your allotments is that you receive the full amount even if you don’t spend it all, which means you can use any extra to splurge on activities. To save on fuel, utilize apps like GasBuddy to find the least expensive fuel near you or Upside to get cashback from fuel purchases. Don’t forget to join the DOD dining program to earn gift cards from purchases at participating restaurants.
Lodging can take the most planning and cost the most. Look for hotels that offer government rates; they usually match the TDY per diem in the area. If you stuff your vehicles full like we do, you might even consider staying at duty stations along the way to avoid unpacking every night. I prefer to stay at locations with IHG Army hotels if you go this route. I highly recommend joining the hotel’s free rewards program for the benefits and earn points that you can use on your next vacation.
When planning, I use Google Maps to create a detailed route. The allotted travel days are based on driving 400 miles the first day and 300 miles the additional days. Unless we have a specific stop in mind or are taking leave en route, I start with the suggested route on Google Maps and look for cities to stop in every 325 miles.
Once you have a rough idea of where you want to go, it’s time to dive into the details. I use the Roadtrippers app to discover (and save!) recommended restaurants and activities along the way.
A PCS road trip can be a great time to scratch the travel-bug itch before settling into your new duty station. Using the right tools and benefits can help you optimize your experience without adding too much to the to-do list.
Chelsey Thomas is a military spouse turned avid traveler, and has mastered the art of exploring the world with her husband and two kids without breaking the bank. She leverages military perks and benefits to make travel more affordable and shares her best tips, tricks and resources on Instagram. Follow her journey and get insider travel hacks at @camouflage.perks!
