From the vibrant streets of New Orleans' French Quarter to the critical energy corridors along the Gulf Coast, Louisiana offers a diverse landscape for business travel. For any company with employees on the move, a clear understanding of per diem rates is essential for managing expenses efficiently and staying compliant.
Per diem, a daily allowance for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses, offers a streamlined alternative to tracking actual costs. This guide provides a comprehensive look at the federal per diem rates for Louisiana, clarifies important state laws, and shows how you can automate the entire process.
Louisiana Per Diem Rate
Per diem rates for official travel in Louisiana are set by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). These federal rates are mandatory for federal employees and serve as a common benchmark for private sector companies creating an IRS-compliant travel reimbursement policy.
For Fiscal Year 2025 (October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025), key rates are broken down as follows:
Major business and tourism centers
Louisiana's primary destinations have specific Non-Standard Area (NSA) rates that are higher than the standard U.S. rate.
- New Orleans (Orleans and Jefferson Parishes):
- M&IE: $80 per day
- Lodging: Seasonal, with rates ranging from $133 to $179 per night.
- Baton Rouge (East Baton Rouge Parish):
- M&IE: $51 per day
- Lodging: A flat rate of $110 per night.
The first and last day of travel, the M&IE rate is $60.00 for New Orleans and $55.50 for Baton Rouge.
Other notable locations
It's important to note that many of Louisiana's key regional hubs are not designated as high-cost areas and therefore use the Standard CONUS Rate.
- Lafayette (Lafayette Parish): The heart of Cajun Country and a key business center, Lafayette is covered by the Standard CONUS Rate.
Standard CONUS Rate
For any parish in Louisiana not specifically listed by the GSA—including key regional hubs like Lafayette—the standard CONUS rate applies. For FY 2025, this rate is $178 ($110 for lodging and $68 for M&IE).
Louisiana Per Diem Rate Calculator
Find the exact per diem allowance for your trip to Louisiana with our easy-to-use calculator. Select the fiscal year, choose your destination city or parish, and input your travel dates. The tool will instantly provide the correct lodging and M&IE rates based on the official GSA schedule.