Traverse City Per Diem Rate (FY2026)
Grand Traverse · Michigan · Official U.S. GSA federal per diem
For fiscal year 2026, the GSA per diem rate for Traverse City is $80/day for meals & incidental expenses (M&IE) and $134–$235/night for lodging depending on the month, compared with the standard $178/day CONUS rate ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE). Lodging peaks in July and is lowest in January.
A 4-night business trip to Traverse City in July totals $1,300: $940 lodging (4 nights) + $360 M&IE (5 days, first & last day at 75%).
Calculate your exact Traverse City trip
Traverse City lodging rate by month (FY2026)
Nightly lodging caps for Traverse City. M&IE is flat at $80/day and does not change by month.
| Month | Lodging / night | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | $134 | Low |
| Feb | $134 | Low |
| Mar | $134 | Low |
| Apr | $134 | Low |
| May | $134 | Low |
| Jun | $134 | Low |
| Jul | $235 | Peak |
| Aug | $235 | Peak |
| Sep | $134 | Low |
| Oct | $134 | Low |
| Nov | $134 | Low |
| Dec | $134 | Low |
How does Traverse City compare with other Michigan per diem areas?
Traverse City is the most expensive per diem area in Michigan for FY2026: its $235/night peak lodging cap tops the state's 11 non-standard areas, $76 above the state's $159/night NSA average.
Lodging in Traverse City swings 75% across the year — from $134/night in January to $235/night in July — so the same 4-night stay reimburses $404 more at the peak. M&IE stays flat at $80/day regardless of season.
The next cheaper Michigan area is Petoskey at $220/night peak; every unlisted Michigan location falls back to the $110 standard rate.
Book within the Traverse City lodging cap
Otto finds hotels in Traverse City at or under your $134–$235/night GSA lodging cap — and books them for you.
Traverse City per diem FAQ
- What is the per diem rate for Traverse City?
- For FY2026, the GSA per diem rate for Traverse City, Michigan is $80 per day for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) and $134–$235/night for lodging depending on the month. The standard CONUS rate, for comparison, is $178 per day ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE).
- What is the meal reimbursement (M&IE) rate in Traverse City?
- $80 per day for FY2026: $20 breakfast, $22 lunch, $33 dinner and $5 incidentals. The first and last day of travel reimburse at 75%, or $60.
- Is Traverse City the most expensive per diem area in Michigan?
- Yes. By peak lodging cap, Traverse City tops the 11 non-standard areas GSA lists in Michigan for FY2026 at $235/night — $125 above the $110 standard cap. Its full daily rate reaches $315 with M&IE included.
- Why does lodging per diem in Traverse City change by month?
- GSA sets seasonal lodging caps for high-demand areas. In Traverse City, lodging is highest in July at $235/night and lowest in January at $134/night. M&IE stays flat at $80/day all year.
- What is the tax-free travel nurse stipend cap in Traverse City?
- Tax-free housing and meal stipends for travel nurses are capped at the GSA per diem for the assignment location. In Traverse City the full daily cap is up to $315 (peak-month lodging + $80 M&IE). The portion above the GSA rate is taxable wages, and the stipend is only tax-free at all if you maintain a qualifying tax home.