Claim for Travel Expenses

An employee of the Marine Corps Logistics Base submitted a voucher for travel expenses incident to a tour of temporary duty. The employee completed the assignment in late afternoon but decided to delay his trip back to his permanent duty station until the following morning. The travel orders originally called for the employee to return that same night and provided for payment of travel expenses for the use of his privately owned vehicle. These expenses could not exceed the constructive cost of common carrier transportation, including per diem by that method of travel. GAO held that it was reasonable for the employee to delay his return trip to the following day since the workday was overly long. Further, since the employee was not needed at work early the following day, GAO saw no reason for the employee to have to rush back that same night. Accordingly, the voucher may be paid within the limits of the constructive air travel.