Out-of-area shoots bill travel — mileage at a per-mile rate, plus time, plus any lodging. A free-radius threshold means only the miles beyond it are charged.
The example
120 mi round trip, 40 free, $0.67/mi.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Item | Value |
| 2 | 120 − 40 | 80 mi |
| 3 | × $0.67 | → $53.60 |
The formula
The formula:
How it works
How it works:
- Subtract the free radius from round-trip miles; MAX(…, 0) floors it at zero.
- Multiply billable miles by the per-mile rate (often the IRS standard rate).
- Add travel time at your rate and lodging for distant shoots.
- Use the IRS standard mileage rate if you want a defensible, documented figure.
A free radius keeps local clients happy without giving away long hauls. Charging mileage from mile one annoys nearby clients; charging nothing eats your time on distant ones. A free radius (you absorb the first N miles, bill the rest) splits the difference cleanly. MAX(miles − free, 0) makes the floor automatic so close jobs simply show $0 travel.
Try it: interactive demo
Round-trip miles, free radius, rate.
Variations
Add travel time
Miles + hours:
With lodging
Overnight shoots:
No free radius
Bill every mile:
Pitfalls & errors
Round trip. Bill there-and-back miles, not one way.
Floor at zero. MAX stops a within-radius job going negative.
Time and lodging. Mileage alone undercounts distant travel.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
How do I bill travel mileage in Excel?
Should I bill round-trip miles?
How do I add travel time and lodging?
Stop fighting formulas. Learn them in a day.
This recipe is one of hundreds of real-world formulas we teach. Our Excel Formulas & Functions class covers lookups, logic, text, and dynamic arrays hands-on — live in Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, Oklahoma City, Denver, or online.
See the Formulas & Functions Class