Last updated: October 10, 2025
If you run a company, drive for work, or are self-employed in the Bluegrass State, every business mile counts. Maximizing deductions and reimbursements hinges on accurate, IRS-compliant mileage logs—but Kentucky’s diverse terrain, from bustling Louisville streets to winding rural roads, makes real-time tracking challenging.
In this article, we’ll show you what you need to know about the IRS Mileage Rate Kentucky, explain what reimbursement means in practice, and show you what solutions MileageWise offers.
Table of Contents
Summary
- 2025 IRS mileage rate: for business drivers: 70 cents per mile; for medical/moving drivers: 21 cents and for charitable drives: 14 cents.
- Potential Deductions: Every valid business mile logged can be deducted or reimbursed—missed trips mean lost money.
- Reimbursement Rules You Should Know: Kentucky law does not require private employers to pay mileage reimbursement.
- MileageWise’s Solutions: Convert Google Maps Timeline into IRS-proof logs.
Your Daily Business Mileage Deduction Benefits in Kentucky
Louisville → Lexington (79 mi)
Lexington → Frankfort (26 mi)
Frankfort → Louisville (54 mi)
Total miles: 159 miles
Deduction: 159 × $0.70 = $111.30
Bowling Green → Glasgow (43 mi)
Glasgow → Scottsville (24 mi)
Scottsville → Bowling Green (26 mi)
Total miles: 93 miles
Deduction: 93 × $0.70 = $65.10
Kentucky Reimbursement: What You Need to Know
In Kentucky, private employers are not required by law to reimburse employees for mileage when using personal vehicles for work, though many do so voluntarily. The IRS standard mileage rate, which is 70 cents per mile in 2025, is often used by businesses as a guideline, covering costs like fuel and maintenance. For state employees, reimbursement rates are set quarterly based on the AAA’s fuel price data. Public employees are only entitled to a flat-rate vehicle allowance if this is regulated by law by the General Assembly.
This page is for informational purposes only; for legal or tax advice, consult a Kentucky tax professional. More at our IRS Mileage Rates page.
2025 Mileage Rate
- Business Mileage Rate: 70 cents/mile. Standard rate for work-related driving.
- Medical/Moving Mileage Rate: 21 cents/mile. For medically necessary trips or relocations.
- Charitable Mileage Rate: 14 cents/mile. Volunteer work for charities.
What Does the IRS Mileage Rate Mean for Kentucky Drivers?
| Route (one-way) | Approx. miles | 2025 value |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville → Bowling Green | 114 mi | $79.80 (RT $159.60) |
| Lexington → Cromwell | 142 mi | $99.40 (RT $198.80) |
| Capbellsville → Paducah | 215 mi | $150.50 (RT $301.00) |
| Covington → Hillsboro | 88 mi | $61.60 (RT $123.20) |
| Frankfort → Somerset | 106 mi | $74.20 (RT $148.40) |
| Elizabethtown → Calhoun | 99 mi | $69.30 (RT $138.60) |
| Ashland → Prestonsburg | 67 mi | $46.90 (RT $93.80) |
| Lexington → Danville | 34 mi | $23.80 (RT $47.60) |
| Hopkinsville → Murray | 52 mi | $36.40 (RT $72.80) |
| Bardstown → Lebanon | 25 mi | $17.50 (RT $35.00) |
The calculations take into account the 2025 business rate of $0.70 per mile.
Challenges in Kentucky’s Regions
- Louisville Metro: means navigating rush-hour congestion and urban mileage, where missed stops or inaccurate routes are common.
- Bluegrass: Bluegrass region features scenic rural roads with occasional agricultural traffic, seasonal events like the Kentucky Derby causing increased congestion, and winding, sometimes poorly maintained roads. Drivers face challenges such as slower travel due to farm vehicles, and uneven road conditions, especially after rain.
- Appalachia: features winding mountain highways and unpredictable weather; rural business drivers in eastern Kentucky risk losing miles or deductions if their logs aren’t airtight.
Mileage Reimbursement: Who Benefits the Most?
- Real estate agents
- Sales reps for farm equipment,
- Veterinarians
- Construction and trade professionals
- Delivery drivers serving cities and rural communities
- Home health aides and visiting nurses
- Insurance adjusters
- Bourbon and equine industry consultants
MileageWise: Customizing Solutions for Your Driving Demands
Kentucky’s mixed terrain and varied business demands can make precise mileage tracking seem overwhelming—but IRS rules require robust documentation.
MileageWise addresses Kentucky’s real-world needs, and offers three solutions for different needs:
1. Google Maps Timeline Import: Effortless Data Transfer for Compliant Logs
Even though Timeline now lives only on your phone, you can export your data and let MileageWise Google Maps Timeline Import feature build a compliant log in minutes, making your mileage logging more efficient than ever.
2. AI Wizard Mileage Log Generator: Automatically Fill in the Gaps
If your Timeline is missing or incomplete, MileageWise’s AI Wizard Mileage Log Generator suggests missing trips based on your patterns and destinations, ensuring you never miss a deductible mile.
3. MileageWise Mileage Tracker App: Track Miles on the Go, Hassle-Free
Proactively tracking future trips is the best defense. The ad-free MileageWise Mileage Tracker runs smoothly, even in low-service areas, and saves battery life—key for Kentucky’s rural drivers, ensuring you can stay on top of your mileage even in remote locations.
Quick Story: A Kentucky Business Owner’s Turnaround
Ryan is a Central Kentucky horse breeder juggling farm visits, vet appointments, and supplier meetings. Life gets busy, and he forgets to log some trips. When tax time arrives, he realizes he’s missing weeks of mileage. MileageWise’s Google Maps Timeline import feature pulls his phone’s travel history—no matter if he drove to Louisville, Lexington, or the backside of a horse farm—and converts it into a detailed, auditor-ready log.
Conclusion
Accurate mileage logging is the foundation of deduction and reimbursement in Kentucky—whether you’re self-employed, own a business, or drive for a Kentucky fleet. The state’s mix of urban, suburban, and rural roads, combined with ever-changing regulations, makes manual tracking risky.
MileageWise offers three solutions for creating accurate mileage logs:
- Google Maps Timeline Import: Easily export your Google Maps data to create IRS-compliant mileage logs in minutes.
- AI Wizard Mileage Log Generator: Automatically fills the gaps in your mileage log based on your driving patterns to ensure a complete log (if your Timeline is missing or incomplete).
- MileageWise Mileage Tracker: Seamlessly track mileage on-the-go with an ad-free, battery-saving app.
With the right tools, IRS-proof mileage logs are possible—even when you’re racing to meet audit deadlines or reconstructing past drives. Whether you’re logging interstate commerce runs, cross-state meetings, or winding backroads to a worksite, MileageWise’s approachable tech puts compliance within reach. No matter your Kentucky industry, trip type, or logging needs—make every mile count.
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FAQ
What is the 2025 IRS mileage rate for Kentucky business drivers?
The standard rate is 70 cents per mile—covering fuel, maintenance, and depreciation—for business use of a personal vehicle.
Must Kentucky private employers reimburse mileage?
No, private employers are not required by law to pay mileage, but most use the IRS rate as a benchmark.
What if I didn’t keep a mileage log last year? Can I still claim deductions?
Yes, with support: The IRS accepts contemporaneous and reconstructed logs—MileageWise’s Google Maps Timeline import feature is designed for this exact situation.
Where can I learn more about mileage rates and compliance?
Check our IRS Mileage Rates page for the latest updates. For legal or tax planning, consult a tax professional.
Can I use a mileage tracking app for IRS-compliant logs?
Yes, using a mileage tracking app like MileageWise ensures that your logs are accurate, efficient, and compliant with IRS regulations.
