IRS' 2026 Mileage Rate: 72.5 Cents Per Mile and What It Means

The federal mileage rate for 2026 just hit a record: 72.5 cents per mile. The IRS announced the 2.5-cent jump on December 29, 2025, and it kicks in January 1. That rate matters whether you're a W-2 employee driving your personal truck to job sites, a gig worker tracking miles for tax deductions, or a federal employee submitting a travel voucher. This number quietly governs reimbursements—and arguments—with employers across the country.

The new standard rate covers fuel, insurance, depreciation...