From the bustling tech and business scenes in Bozeman and Missoula to the year-round tourism that powers its economy, Montana presents a unique landscape for business travel. For any organization with employees traveling across Montana, a clear understanding of per diem rates is essential for managing costs and ensuring compliance.
Per diem, a daily allowance for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses, is the standard method for handling travel reimbursements. This guide offers a comprehensive look at the federal per diem rates for Montana, clarifies important state laws, and shows how you can automate the entire process.
Montana Per Diem Rate
Per diem rates for official travel in Montana 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 looking to create an IRS-compliant reimbursement policy.
For Fiscal Year 2025 (October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025), key rates are broken down as follows:
Major Tourist Destinations
Montana's world-renowned national park gateways and resort areas have some of the highest and most seasonally-variable Non-Standard Area (NSA) rates.
- Big Sky / West Yellowstone (Gallatin & Park Counties):
- M&IE: $80 per day
- Lodging: Seasonal, with a peak summer rate of $310 per night (June-Sep) and a rate of $176 per night for all other months.
- Kalispell / Whitefish (Flathead County):
- M&IE: $80 per day
- Lodging: Seasonal, with a peak summer rate of $232 per night (July-Sep) and a rate of $124 per night for all other months.
The first and last day of travel for these locations, the M&IE rate is $60.00.
Business and Government Centers
- Missoula (Missoula County):
- M&IE: $74 per day
- Lodging: Seasonal, with a rate of $195 per night (June-Sep) and $130 per night for all other months.
- Helena (Lewis and Clark County):
- M&IE: $74 per day
- Lodging: A flat rate of $132 per night.
The first and last day of travel for these locations, the M&IE rate is $55.50.
Standard CONUS Rate
For any county in Montana not specifically listed by the GSA—including major cities like Billings (Yellowstone County) and Bozeman (Gallatin County, outside of the Big Sky NSA)—the standard CONUS rate applies. For FY 2025, this rate is $178 ($110 for lodging and $68 for M&IE).
Montana Per Diem Rate Calculator
Find the exact per diem allowance for your business trip to Montana with our easy-to-use calculator. Select the fiscal year, choose your destination, and input your travel dates. The tool will instantly provide the correct lodging and M&IE rates based on the official GSA schedule.