New 2026 Mileage Rates for Medical and Medical-Legal Travel

Effective January 1, 2026, the reimbursement rate for mileage related to medical treatment and medical-legal travel has increased.

The California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has announced that the mileage rate for medical and medical-legal travel is now 72.5 cents per mile. This represents a 2.5% increase from the 2025 rate. This new rate applies to all travel occurring on or after January 1, 2026, regardless of the original date of the injury.

This change follows the standard mileage rates established by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

References:

Newsline | California Department of Industrial Relations

Medical mileage expense form

Historical Mileage Figures (2016 – 2026)

To help you track past reimbursements or audit older claims, we have compiled the historical mileage rates for medical-related travel in workers’ compensation cases over the last decade.

Note: In 2022, the IRS issued a rare mid-year adjustment in July to account for significant increases in fuel costs. Always ensure you are using the rate applicable to the specific date travel occurred.