United States mileage records
IRS Mileage Log: A Practical Recordkeeping Workflow for Business Driving
A U.S.-focused guide to timely written mileage records, business purpose notes, and weekly review habits for drivers who use one car for work and personal life.
- Region
- United States
- Audience
- Self-employed drivers, sole proprietors, consultants, mobile workers, and small business owners
- Read time
- 6 minute read
What an IRS-focused mileage log should help you prove
U.S. business drivers need records that can explain business use later. IRS Publication 463 covers travel, gift, and car expenses and includes mileage record examples with date, destination, business purpose, odometer readings, and miles for the trip.
OdO is not tax advice and does not choose a deduction method for you. It helps keep a private mileage record on your iPhone so your business trips are easier to review before filing or reimbursement.
Trip details to review
- - trip date
- - destination or area
- - business purpose
- - miles driven
- - whether the trip was Business, Personal, or Ignored
Habits that reduce cleanup
- - record trips at the time of driving
- - review ambiguous trips weekly
- - do not rely on memory at year end
- - export monthly records
- - keep receipts and other proof outside the mileage log
A practical review rhythm
- 1. Record first, decide second. Capture drives consistently, then classify them after the trip when the purpose is clear.
- 2. Separate commuting and personal errands. Keep non-business driving out of business totals unless your tax professional tells you otherwise.
- 3. Add purpose notes to edge cases. Client visits, supply runs, airport trips, and mixed-purpose days are easier to explain when notes are written soon after the drive.
- 4. Export before tax season. Monthly exports make year-end review less dependent on memory.
Official reference points
Start with IRS Publication 463, which explains deductible travel, gift, and car expenses, record requirements, and reimbursements. The browser-friendly Publication 463 includes examples of mileage and expense logs.
Keep the log while the drive is fresh
OdO is built for drivers who need private mileage records without a cloud account. Start with free manual start-stop logging, then upgrade in app if phone auto-tracking and PDF reports are useful for your real workflow.