I was just wondering what everyone else charges for extra travel time. The only thing I found so far, is one person who charges an extra $1 per mile of travel over 30 miles. I'm not exactly sure what a fair rate would be.

i usually do .50 cents a mile

I don't like doing the math. I just have rates for different towns. Farther away is 10, 20, or 30 dollars more. That much I can keep up with.

If I am not mistaken, the US Government set the rate at 55 cents per mile for business travel. That would be a good starting point...

I do not charge extra for travel. I charge one flat rate whether it's down the street or the 50 mile radius zone. I honestly do not want to take the time to be nitpicky over mileage addons. I charge BY THE PARTY. And this (not charging for mileage) I use as one of my selling points. It works for me. I get the bookings. It all averages out in the end anyway. Good enough for me.

Mine is pretty much by the party too, but here it may be an hour and a half away. I have to add a little bit for distance.

I know things depend on the area you work. If it takes you more time (significantly more) you should get a little bit more for it. Some areas are compact and there is not much difference, but some are an hour or two away. You have to charge for that.

Actually as of July 1st 2008 the standard mileage deduction for business was 58.5 cents per mile. I am not sure if they increased the number for 2009 or not.

But I don't get nit-picky either. If it is a really long ways away I simply tack on a little bit. I figure that I get a little less than 20 miles to a gallon of gas. If gas is $3.00 a gallon then it costs me about 15 cents a mile for gas. It'e easier for me to charge a rate that I'm comfortable with whether I go down the street, across town or miles away.

I believe technically if you charge for mileage.. you can not claim the miles on your taxes, so you want to charge for travel time and not by miles.

One key point I forgot to mention is that I often getted tipped well, especially by people who hire me out of town. I think it's because I don't focus on the mileage and rather focus on the performance and doing a great job for them. I'd much rather get tipped for doing a great job (and considering this reimbursement for mileage) rather than outright charge extra for mileage. It all balances out in the end. I definitely make out much better doing it this way. A 50 mile radius for me takes about an hour sometimes longer depending on traffic. I live outside of Philadelphia. The traffic is brutal at times. But everyone has to do what's best for them and under the conditions of the region they live in and according to your personal needs.

P.S.
I am a stickler for record keeping. I record my mileage for each event using my GPS and deduct the standard mileage rate on my income tax returns. I report all my income and I report all my deductions to the legal fullest--even down to my polka dot paper clips!

Good job...that is the way to do it. I was just down in philly. to baqd I didn't get a chance to meet you.

Thanks for all the replies! I see there is no standard way to do it, so I'll just have to figure out what I'm comfortable with.

Just in case anyone wanted to see the official irs mileage rates etc here is the link:

Standard Mileage Rates (http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/article/0,,id=156624,00.html)
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=200505,00.html

I do have an addtional charge if traveling out of town. For me it's more the time then the actural driving. If I have to travel over an hour away that's an hour I wouldn'thave to travel if it's in town, plus the hour back now that's an addtional hour, which could effect me being able to take a 2nd booking for that day.

See and I can understand charging for travel time because that's time spent for that event. So its X amounts per hour for the event and X amount per hour for travel time. Ive done shows that were 2 hours away and the travel I had just built into the quote and the people seemed amazed I had come from that far away for that price..:( should have charged more.. lesson learned.

Artsy,

If you ever decide to write a book on the business side of clowning, I will buy a copy!

Thanks Darrell, that's a very nice compliment. If I ever do, I will sign the book and give it to you as a birthday present!

Actually, I would really like to teach this subject at a clown convention someday.