How to record mileage for multiple stops along a route?

Hello all, I'm new here. I downloaded the free spreadsheet posted in the pinned link above but I have questions about how to input my mileage when I am driving a route and have more than one stop.

How do I record that on the spreadsheet? I think I need to add another column but can't figure it out in my mind.

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Assuming you're leaving from home and returning home, you just use the beginning & ending miles.

I'm assuming, of course, that this is for tax records.

Other records would require more precision.
For a spreadsheet: To get an idea of formatting, go to an office supply store or travel center and look at the mileage booklets. Or, stay home, incur no mileage, and look at forms online. grinning smiley These booklets and forms show columns and rows in which you record information about mileage. [Similar forms allow you to include other vehicle costs, but you asked about mileage.] You can enter date, address, general destination, purpose of visit, business miles, personal miles, and any anything else you might choose that tells the story of your business miles to the IRS. You need separate entries for each vehicle that you use for business purposes because each vehicle has its own odometer and its own unique vehicle-related expenses.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/23/2017 02:28PM by Shop-et-al.
I do not break out mileage for individual shops. Just total from start to finish.

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
On that spreadsheet, I would put the total miles for the route on the last shop, and leave the rest blank. Or you could put an "R" in the mileage cell for the other shops, which is what I do in mine.. Excel ignores text when calculating totals.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/23/2017 06:30PM by mystery2me.
I do not even put mileage into a spreadsheet. I keep a small notebook in the car and enter beginning and ending miles for all trips. I then add up the breaks, which are errands (personal miles) subtract that from the total miles from Jan 1 thru Dec 31, and get all the info needed for taxes. Simplicity is your friend.

Based in MD, near DC
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I just started using a free app called Stride Drive (Android and iPhone compatible). You can add your expenses and it will print out all the information needed to file in an IRS-ready report.
@walesmaven wrote:

I do not even put mileage into a spreadsheet. I keep a small notebook in the car and enter beginning and ending miles for all trips. I then add up the breaks, which are errands (personal miles) subtract that from the total miles from Jan 1 thru Dec 31, and get all the info needed for taxes. Simplicity is your friend.

I put it in the spreadsheet simply because it's setup to automatically calculate and insert deduction and actual costs into my taxable and actual profit areas on my summary page.

It sounds complicated but it's not.

Otherwise I do the same as you. I only have total miles for each trip, be it a few hours or multiple days.

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/23/2017 08:38PM by bgriffin.
I set the trip odometer to zero each day before I leave home. Then I write the total mileage in notepad on my smartphone each day when I return home. I include the company name and address of each shop. I used to keep a paper notebook, but my tax man said digital was fine now.
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