Thread: Question about traveling fees?

I have a question about traveling fees. I have been considering advertising for praties/resturants etc in the Charlotte area since my inlaws are there. We will be living about 3 hours away. And I suspect that I will be in charlotte about 2 weeks each month, now If I have a gig there this is a good reason to go, but should I charge for the travel? I mean I will be going anyways, and If I charge for travel it is less likely that I will get the gig. Thoughts?

I don't think you really could charge for 3 hours of driving time and still be competitive. Perhaps you can charge a high-end fee (ie: enough that you're happy to do the job) but choose the dates you'll be available at that price so that they suit your travel schedule. Outside of those dates, I guess you could say "I'm available, but it costs $x extra" and see if they bite.

Originally Posted by jewelbellydance

I don't think you really could charge for 3 hours of driving time and still be competitive. Perhaps you can charge a high-end fee (ie: enough that you're happy to do the job) but choose the dates you'll be available at that price so that they suit your travel schedule. Outside of those dates, I guess you could say "I'm available, but it costs extra" and see if they bite.

Good thoughts, I think this is a good rout for me. Of course the rates will differe anyways becuse the locations are different, Charlotte is going to be a higher price than Wilmington just becuse it is a bigger city and rate is much more. I think so far the best way for me to go is to just have 2 price lists, and just stick with them.......

Most performers charge per mile rather than actual driving time. It varies, but I've heard of anything from 3 cents per mile all the way to 50 cents per mile and more.

Most of the traveling pros (musicians mostly but some variety acts as well) that I know charge mileage when it is outside of a certain driving radius from their home base. I use a similar formula for myself. If its more than an hour drive (which is acceptable commuting distance for my locale) then I add a travel fee based on how far it is.

I sat down and looked at a map and marked out some circles based on distances. Each circle has a different charge for travel...the closer it is to home base, the lower the travel cost. I came up with an average travel cost (based on $2 a gallon for gas, which seems to be a good average these days) for each circle. Then I rounded to the nearest dollar. That's how I came up with my standard travel costs. But it also depends on which show they want, if I'm rolling with an entourage, a lot of equipment, or any other specialty item that can affect my bottom line.

I never fleece anyone on travel, but I always make sure that I'm not going to lose money on it either.