Washington, D.C. Per Diem: 2026 Rates and What You Need to Know
Per diem rates determine how much employees receive for lodging, meals, and incidental costs during work travel, particularly for government contractors and employees. They create a standard framework that simplifies expense tracking and keeps travel budgets predictable.
With Washington, D.C.'s rate applying across multiple jurisdictions and higher-than-average costs, understanding the coverage area and tax rules prevents billing errors on government contracts.
What Per Diem Covers in Washington, D.C.
Per diem breaks down into three parts: lodging, meals, and incidental expenses. Each component has its own maximum rate and reimbursement rules:
- Lodging: Lodging covers your nightly hotel room up to the maximum rate for that location. If you find a room under the maximum, you get reimbursed for the actual cost.
- Meals: Meals include breakfast, lunch, and dinner as a fixed daily amount. You get the full meal rate regardless of what you spend. If your hotel includes breakfast or your company provides lunch, those meals get deducted from your per diem.
- Incidentals: Incidentals cover tips for service workers, plus costs like laundry during extended trips. This is a fixed daily amount that doesn't require receipts.
Washington, D.C. Per Diem Rates by Month
Washington, D.C., has its own designated rate set by the General Services Administration (GSA) as part of the continental United States (CONUS) system. D.C.'s lodging costs vary significantly by month, ranging from $183 to $276 depending on congressional sessions, cherry blossom season, and tourism patterns. These rates are updated annually on October 1.
Full Washington, D.C., Per Diem Rate by Month
The following table shows the per diem rates for Washington, D.C., month-by-month:
| Month | Lodging | M&IE | Total Per Diem |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2025 | $275 | $92 | $367 |
| November - February 2025 | $196 | $92 | $288 |
| March - June 2026 | $276 | $92 | $368 |
| July - August 2026 | $183 | $92 | $275 |
| September 2026 | $275 | $92 | $367 |
Washington, D.C. Meals and Incidentals Breakdown
The meals and incidentals (M&IE) rate is a total of $92 per day throughout the year. That is broken down into the following:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | $23 |
| Lunch | $26 |
| Dinner | $38 |
| Incidentals | $5 |
| Total M&IE | $92 |
Metropolitan Area Coverage
Washington, D.C.'s per diem extends beyond district lines to cover the broader metro area, including:
Virginia:
- Alexandria
- Falls Church
- Fairfax (city)
- Arlington County
- Fairfax County
Maryland:
- Montgomery County
- Prince George's County
How to Calculate What to Pay Your Team
Here's the breakdown for a typical government contract job in Washington, D.C., during March, when the rate is $368/day:
- Lodging: $276 maximum
- Meals and incidentals: $92 per day
Your field technician finds a hotel for $250. They receive $250 for the room, not the $276 maximum. Meals and incidentals remain fixed regardless of actual spending.
Travel days work differently. First and last days of trips receive 75% of the meal allowance. In D.C., that's $69 for M&IE instead of the full $92.
Tax Considerations for D.C. Travel
Washington, D.C., hotel taxes aren't part of the lodging cap. The district charges 15.95% in combined hotel taxes, which are among the steepest in the country.
Here's how it works: A $250 hotel in March costs $287.38 after taxes. Employees claim the $250 room (within the $276 March limit) plus $37.38 in taxes as a separate expense line. This matches standard federal reimbursement policy.
The $92 meals and incidentals rate already accounts for taxes and gratuities, so those don't get claimed separately.
Get Per Diem Right for Your Next D.C. Project
Federal projects come with enough complexity without adding travel management headaches. Your technicians need to focus on the work, not calculating meal allowances or sorting out which Maryland counties qualify for D.C. rates. The difference between winning and losing a government contract often comes down to accurate cost estimation. When you're bidding a six-month project with rotating crews, per diem adds up fast. Get the numbers wrong, and you either overbid and lose the contract or underbid and lose money.
Engine verifies GSA compliance, manages multi-jurisdiction bookings, and handles group reservations for federal contract work. Over 1 million travelers rely on Engine to eliminate per diem confusion.
Ready to make work travel less work? Get started today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the per diem rate for Washington, D.C.?
Washington, D.C., per diem rates vary by month. Lodging ranges from $183 (July-August) to $276 (March-June), with meals and incidentals fixed at $92 year-round. Total daily rates range from $275 to $368, depending on the month.
Does the D.C. per diem apply to nearby Virginia and Maryland locations?
Yes. The Washington, D.C., rate covers specific Virginia counties (Arlington and Fairfax) and cities (Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax), plus Maryland's Montgomery and Prince George's counties. This includes Arlington, Bethesda, Silver Spring, and the surrounding areas.
Are hotel taxes included in the lodging rate?
No. Washington, D.C.'s 15.95% hotel tax is claimed separately from the monthly lodging maximum. Employees submit the actual room cost (up to the month's limit) and add full tax amounts as a distinct line item.
How is per diem calculated for travel days?
Travel days (first and last day of your trip) receive 75% of the meals and incidentals allowance. For Washington, D.C., that's $69 instead of the standard $92. Lodging reimbursement follows normal rates for nights actually stayed.
When do Washington, D.C., per diem rates change?
Rates update each October 1st at the federal fiscal year start. Current rates run from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. For FY 2026, rates stayed unchanged from the previous year.
What happens if I can't find lodging within the per diem rate?
Companies can authorize reimbursement up to 300% of the standard rate when standard-rate hotels aren't available. This requires advance approval and documentation showing no available rooms within the month's normal limit.
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