Kentucky Per Diem Rates 2026 (GSA FY2027)
The standard FY2027 per diem in Kentucky is $113 lodging + $68 M&IE ($181/day); 4 locations have higher rates, up to $185/night in Louisville.
Effective Thu, Oct 1, 2026 to Thu, Sep 30, 2027.
$181
Standard rate per day
$113 lodging + $68 M&IE
4
Listed higher-rate locations
in Kentucky
$185
Highest lodging per night
Louisville, Feb 1–May 31
$86
Highest M&IE per day
Kenton
Highest lodging rate by Kentucky city
Standard rate: $113/night (applies to every city not listed)
- Louisville$185
- Kenton$170
- Lexington$125
- Boone$119
All Kentucky per diem rates (FY2027)
| City | County | Lodging per night | M&IE | First/last day (75%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boone | Boone | All year: $119 | $68 | $51 |
| Kenton | Kenton | All year: $170 | $86 | $64.50 |
| Lexington | Fayette | All year: $125 | $80 | $60 |
| Louisville | Jefferson | Oct 1–Oct 31: $180 Nov 1–Jan 31: $132 Feb 1–May 31: $185 Jun 1–Aug 31: $158 Sep 1–Sep 30: $180 | $80 | $60 |
Anywhere in Kentucky not listed uses the standard rate: $113 lodging + $68 M&IE.
Meals and incidentals (M&IE) in Kentucky
| M&IE per day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Incid. | First/last day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $68 | $16 | $19 | $28 | $5 | $51 |
| $80 | $20 | $22 | $33 | $5 | $60 |
| $86 | $22 | $23 | $36 | $5 | $64.50 |
Calculate your Kentucky trip
Kentucky (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 Kentucky (standard rate): breakfast $16, lunch $19, dinner $28, incidentals $5; first and last day $51.
Kentucky per diem FAQ
What is the per diem rate in Kentucky for 2026?
For fiscal year 2027 (Oct 1, 2026 to Sep 30, 2027) the standard GSA per diem in Kentucky is $113 per night for lodging plus $68 per day for meals and incidentals (M&IE), $181 per day. 4 Kentucky locations have a higher listed rate, up to $185 per night in Louisville.
Which Kentucky city has the highest per diem?
Louisville (Jefferson) has the highest listed lodging rate in Kentucky: $185 per night from Feb 1 to May 31, with $80 per day for M&IE. The highest M&IE in the state is $86 per day in Kenton.
How much is per diem for a 3-day trip to Louisville?
A trip with 2 nights and 3 travel days at Louisville, KY comes to at most $570: lodging 2 x $185 = $370 (the highest seasonal rate; other months are lower), plus M&IE of $80 for the middle day and $60 (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.