How to charge for drive time and mileage as a house cleaner
Updated November 1, 2026 · QuoteCubby
The drive is unpaid time unless you price it. See what the same home pays at different distances, and three simple ways to charge for travel.
Why the drive matters
Clients pay for the clean, but your day includes the drive both ways. A job that looks like it pays $50 an hour can pay a lot less once you count the miles and the minutes.
Same home, different drives
The calculator’s sample home (1,800 sq ft, 3 bed, 2 bath, no pets, every 2 weeks, 2 cleaners) with the drive changed. The calculator adds gas to the price, but drive time isn’t billed, so your real pay drops:
| Round-trip drive | Round-trip miles | Price | Real pay per person-hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 min | 4 mi | $140 | $42.77 |
| 30 min | 12 mi | $145 | $39.26 |
| 50 min | 20 mi | $145 | $35.04 |
| 70 min | 30 mi | $150 | $32.56 |
Example only, using the calculator’s starter numbers: $50 per person-hour target, $6 supplies, 12 round-trip miles at $0.35, $120 minimum job, prices rounded up to $5, average condition, no pets. Deep = 1.8× standard time, move-out = 2.2×, first clean = 1.5×. These are not market rates. Real pay = (price − supplies − gas) ÷ (cleaning person-hours + drive hours).
Three ways to charge for travel
- Built in: add the trip cost (miles × your cost per mile) to every quote. Simple, but long drives still eat your time.
- Zones: one price inside your core area, a flat travel fee for the next ring out, and “by request” beyond that. Easy to explain to clients.
- Per mile beyond a radius: free within X miles, then a set amount per extra mile.
Whatever you choose, put it on your price list and in the quote. Use your own vehicle costs; the IRS standard mileage rate is a common reference (not tax advice).
Fix it with your schedule, not just your price
- Group recurring clients by area and day.
- Ask new far-away clients for a recurring schedule, not one-time cleans.
- Set a minimum job price that covers the drive for small homes.
Try it with your numbers
The free QuoteCubby calculator estimates the time for any home, prices standard, deep, move-out and first cleans, and shows what you really earn per hour after supplies and driving.
Open the free calculatorFAQ
Should house cleaners charge for travel?
Many build it into the price. Others add a travel fee for homes outside their usual area. Either way, count drive time when you check what a job pays you per hour.
What cost per mile should I use?
Use your own vehicle costs. The IRS standard mileage rate is a common reference for business driving. It is not tax advice, so check with a tax professional.
Quoting the same kinds of homes every week? The QuoteCubby kit (from $19, Google Sheets or Excel) keeps your price list, job log and client rates in one place. The free calculator stays free either way.
Related guides
- How much to charge for house cleaning
- How to price a house cleaning job
- How to quote without a walkthrough
Sources
Price ranges are national figures published by the sources below (accessed November 1, 2026). Local prices vary a lot. QuoteCubby examples are illustrations, not market data.