District of Columbia Per Diem Rates 2026 (GSA FY2027)
The standard FY2027 per diem in District of Columbia is $113 lodging + $68 M&IE ($181/day); 1 location has a higher rate, up to $295/night in District of Columbia.
Effective Thu, Oct 1, 2026 to Thu, Sep 30, 2027.
$181
Standard rate per day
$113 lodging + $68 M&IE
1
Listed higher-rate locations
in District of Columbia
$295
Highest lodging per night
District of Columbia, Mar 1–Jun 30
$92
Highest M&IE per day
District of Columbia
Highest lodging rate by District of Columbia city
Standard rate: $113/night (applies to every city not listed)
- District of Columbia$295
All District of Columbia per diem rates (FY2027)
| City | County | Lodging per night | M&IE | First/last day (75%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | Washington DC (also the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church and Fairfax, and the counties of Arlington and Fairfax, in Virginia; and the counties of Montgomery and Prince George's in Maryland) | Oct 1–Oct 31: $287 Nov 1–Feb 28: $203 Mar 1–Jun 30: $295 Jul 1–Aug 31: $192 Sep 1–Sep 30: $287 | $92 | $69 |
Anywhere in District of Columbia not listed uses the standard rate: $113 lodging + $68 M&IE.
Meals and incidentals (M&IE) in District of Columbia
| M&IE per day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Incid. | First/last day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $68 | $16 | $19 | $28 | $5 | $51 |
| $92 | $23 | $26 | $38 | $5 | $69 |
Calculate your District of Columbia trip
District of Columbia (standard rate): 2 nights, 3 travel days
Maximum per diem for this trip
$396
Lodging
$226
Meals and incidentals (M&IE)
$170
First report free: log real expenses next to your per diem and export a PDF or Excel expense report.
Day-by-day breakdown
| Date | Lodging | M&IE | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, Nov 9, 2026 | $113 | $51 | First day, 75% M&IE |
| Tue, Nov 10, 2026 | $113 | $68 | Full day, 100% M&IE |
| Wed, Nov 11, 2026 | none | $51 | Last day, 75% M&IE |
| Total | $226 | $170 |
Lodging is the maximum nightly rate for the season that covers each night, not a flat allowance for hotel receipts. M&IE here is $68 per day at District of Columbia (standard rate): breakfast $16, lunch $19, dinner $28, incidentals $5; first and last day $51.
District of Columbia per diem FAQ
What is the per diem rate in District of Columbia for 2026?
For fiscal year 2027 (Oct 1, 2026 to Sep 30, 2027) the standard GSA per diem in District of Columbia is $113 per night for lodging plus $68 per day for meals and incidentals (M&IE), $181 per day. 1 District of Columbia location has a higher listed rate, up to $295 per night in District of Columbia.
Which District of Columbia city has the highest per diem?
District of Columbia (Washington DC (also the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church and Fairfax, and the counties of Arlington and Fairfax, in Virginia; and the counties of Montgomery and Prince George's in Maryland)) has the highest listed lodging rate in District of Columbia: $295 per night from Mar 1 to Jun 30, with $92 per day for M&IE.
How much is per diem for a 3-day trip to District of Columbia?
A trip with 2 nights and 3 travel days at District of Columbia, DC comes to at most $820: lodging 2 x $295 = $590 (the highest seasonal rate; other months are lower), plus M&IE of $92 for the middle day and $69 (75%) for the first and last day. Use the calculator above for exact dates.
Do private employers have to use GSA per diem rates?
No. GSA rates are written for federal travelers; many private employers use them as a benchmark, and your employer's policy decides what applies to you.
Data: GSA FY2027 per diem rates, effective Oct 1, 2026 (public domain; source gsa.gov). Last checked Sat, Oct 31, 2026. Easy Trip Expenses is not affiliated with the GSA. Results are the maximum allowance, not a guarantee of what your employer pays.