Effective Oct. 1, 2008, the standard per diem rate for business travel within the continental United States will remain at $109 ($70 for lodging, $39 for meals and incidental expenses), the General Services Administration has announced. For specifically listed localities, the lodging rate will range from a low of $70 to a high of $360, depending on locality. The rates for meals and incidental expenses will remain the same, ranging from $39 to $64. There are about 400 locations in the continental United States with a lodging per diem that is higher than the national standard rate.




