Business mileage tracker for freelancers and 1099 workers

A mileage tracker for the self-employed logs each business drive and turns the miles into a tax deduction at the IRS standard rate, which is 72.5 cents per mile in 2026. For freelancers and 1099 workers who file Schedule C, it replaces a paper logbook with a digital record that holds up if the deduction is questioned. Self Employment Toolkit calculates the deduction on every trip you log, free, and exports a complete IRS-ready mileage log on Pro.

What is the IRS mileage deduction?

The IRS allows self-employed individuals to deduct the cost of business driving from their taxable income. Instead of tracking every gas receipt and oil change, you can use the standard mileage rate: a flat amount per mile that covers fuel, depreciation, maintenance, and insurance combined.

Every 100 business miles you log is worth $72.50 in deductions. Drive 10,000 business miles in a year and your Schedule C shows a $7,250 deduction before you have tracked a single receipt. The catch: the IRS requires a contemporaneous mileage log. A mileage tracker app gives you that log automatically. For the full rate history and calculation guide, see our IRS standard mileage rate 2026 reference page.

How the mileage tracker works

Self Employment Toolkit's mileage tracker runs in any browser on desktop or mobile. No app download, no subscription, no setup beyond creating a free account.

1. Log a trip. Enter your start and end locations by address or GPS coordinates. The app supports saved locations (home address, common client sites, airports) so repeat trips take seconds to add.
2. Route distance is calculated automatically. The app uses a road routing engine to calculate actual driving distance, not a straight-line estimate. You get the IRS-defensible route mileage.
3. Your IRS deduction appears instantly. Each trip displays its deductible amount at 72.5 cents per mile. Your running total and 30-day trend update in real time.
4. Categorize as business or personal. Only business trips count toward your deduction. The tracker keeps both so your log is accurate.
5. Export when you need it. Download a CSV for your accountant or a print-ready HTML mileage log for your records at any time.

What the mileage tracker includes

Who needs a business mileage tracker?

If you drive for work and report self-employment income on Schedule C, you need a mileage log. The IRS does not accept estimates or reconstructed records. Common users include:

• Freelancers and consultants driving to client meetings, coworking spaces, or project sites
• Rideshare and delivery drivers on Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, or similar platforms who drive between pickups or while waiting for orders
• Real estate agents driving to showings, open houses, and client properties
• Self-employed tradespeople driving to job sites and supplier locations
• 1099 contractors in any field who use their personal vehicle for business purposes

W-2 employees cannot claim mileage deductions for their regular commute under current tax law. However, if you have any 1099 income reported on Schedule C, you can deduct your business mileage even if you also have a salaried job.

What counts as business mileage?

The IRS defines deductible business mileage as driving that is ordinary and necessary for your trade or business. Qualifying trips include:

• Driving to meet clients, customers, or patients
• Driving between multiple job sites on the same workday
• Driving to a temporary work location away from your regular office
• Driving to pick up business supplies or equipment
• Driving to professional conferences, networking events, or training directly related to your business

Commuting from home to your regular, fixed place of work is not deductible. However, if your home is your principal place of business (as it is for most freelancers who work from home), driving from your home office to a client's location qualifies as business mileage. See commuting vs business mileage for exactly where that line falls.

IRS record-keeping requirements

To claim a mileage deduction on Schedule C, the IRS requires a contemporaneous mileage log that records the following for each trip:

• The date of the trip
• The destination and the business purpose
• The total miles driven

"Contemporaneous" means recorded at or near the time of the trip, not reconstructed at tax time from memory. A digital mileage log generated by Self Employment Toolkit satisfies this requirement and can be exported as evidence if your deduction is ever questioned. See IRS mileage log requirements for the four details every entry needs.

Frequently asked questions