2026 Mileage Rates: Canada (CRA) vs USA (IRS), Simple Guide
Updated: Sep 30
Drive in Canada, the US or both? Canada counts kilometres. The US counts miles. Here are the 2026 rates side by side, and how to keep one log that works for both.
Drive for work? Fuelshine logs every work trip automatically, in km and miles. Get it on Google Play | Download on the App Store
The 2026 rates
Canada (CRA): 73¢ per km for the first 5,000 km, then 67¢ per km. Add 4¢ per km in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
USA (IRS): 72.5¢ per business mile from January 1 to June 30, and 76¢ per mile from July 1, 2026.
What each rate is for
The CRA rate is the benchmark employers use to reimburse staff who drive their own car for work. Self-employed Canadians claim their actual vehicle costs multiplied by the share of km driven for work. Self-employed US drivers can use the IRS standard mileage rate to work out their deduction.
Quick conversion
One mile is about 1.609 km. The IRS 72.5¢ per mile is about 45¢ per km, and 76¢ per mile is about 47¢ per km. The CRA 73¢ per km is about $1.17 per mile. The rates are in different currencies and cover different costs, so use this for reference only.
One log for both countries
Keep Canadian trips in km and US trips in miles, with the date and purpose of each trip. Fuelshine tracks trips in the background, lets you tag each one as work or personal, and exports a separate CRA report and IRS report, so you are ready for either tax office.
Start logging today: Get it on Google Play | Download on the App Store
See also: our guide to the best CRA mileage app in Canada and the best IRS mileage app for 2026.
FAQ
What is the CRA mileage rate for 2026?
73¢ per kilometre for the first 5,000 business km and 67¢ per kilometre after that, plus 4¢ per kilometre in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
What is the IRS standard mileage rate for 2026?
72.5¢ per mile from January 1 to June 30, 2026, and 76¢ per mile for miles driven on or after July 1, 2026.
Do I need separate mileage logs for Canada and the US?
Yes. The CRA expects a log in kilometres with the purpose of each Canadian trip, and the IRS expects a log in miles with the purpose of each US trip. An app like Fuelshine keeps both and exports a separate report for each.
How long should I keep mileage logs?
The CRA generally asks you to keep records for six years after the tax year they relate to. The IRS generally says three years, and longer in some cases. Keeping logs for seven years covers both.
This is general information, not tax advice. Check your situation with a tax professional.
Comments