MileIQ

MileIQ runs silently in the background and GPS-logs every drive automatically — no start/stop button required. A right swipe marks a trip as business; left marks it personal. The result is a running IRS-compliant mileage log built without any manual effort, capturing deductions that most authors forget to track. The standard mileage deduction for 2026 is $0.725 per mile — a 200-mile month of book events is worth $145 in deductions.

What You Get#

• Automatic background tracking: GPS detects when you start driving and records the full trip without interaction; the app runs with the screen off and requires no check-ins
• Swipe classification: After each drive, a swipe right (business) or left (personal) categorizes it — takes under a second per trip; bulk classification available for recurring routes
• IRS-compliant reports: Monthly and annual mileage summaries in the format required for Schedule C deductions, downloadable as PDF or spreadsheet for your accountant
• Custom work purposes: Tag drives by purpose (book signings, library research, conferences, supply pickups) to document the business reason required by IRS record-keeping rules
• Trip history and editing: Review, edit, and manually add trips you forgot to capture; add notes and odometer readings for additional IRS documentation

Who It's For#

• Event-active authors: Writers who regularly drive to book signings, library appearances, author panels, or writing group meetings accumulate significant mileage deductions — MileIQ captures all of it without any behavior change
• Nonfiction and research authors: Drives to interviews, archives, museums, or specialized locations qualify as business mileage; passive tracking ensures none slip through at tax time
• Authors who won't maintain a manual log: An IRS-compliant mileage log is required for any deduction claim; MileIQ builds it automatically for authors who know they'd never maintain a spreadsheet

Pricing: Free (40 drives/month) — sufficient for occasional event driving. Unlimited: $13.99/month or $11.66/month billed annually (~$140/year, roughly two months free). Note: MileIQ raised its monthly price again in 2026 — from $8.99 to $13.99 — making the annual plan the clearly better value.

Strengths#

• Zero manual effort: Truly passive tracking — the app detects motion, logs the drive, and awaits a swipe; no timers, no start buttons, no forgotten logs
• IRS-ready output: Reports are formatted specifically for Schedule C mileage deductions, satisfying IRS record-keeping requirements without additional processing
• Proven reliability: 80,000+ five-star reviews across iOS and Android app stores; one of the most widely used mileage tracking apps among self-employed workers

Limitations#

• Offline tracking gaps: MileIQ requires an internet connection to record trips; drives begun without cellular data may not be logged — a real risk for authors in rural areas or international travel
• Mileage only: MileIQ tracks mileage exclusively — no income tracking, expenses, receipts, or tax estimation; a separate bookkeeping tool is needed for complete financial management
• No bank or expense integration: Unlike tools such as Hurdlr or QuickBooks Solopreneur, MileIQ cannot import bank transactions or calculate deductible vehicle expenses beyond per-mile rates
• Repeated price increases: MileIQ has raised its monthly price two years running — $5.99 → $8.99, then $8.99 → $13.99 in 2026 (a cumulative 134% jump) — pushing some users toward cheaper alternatives, particularly authors already paying for a separate bookkeeping app

Alternatives#

Hurdlr includes mileage tracking as part of a broader self-employed financial platform covering royalty income and expenses at $8.34/month (annual) — better value if you also need income tracking. Everlance ($7/month individual annual) works offline, closing MileIQ's key gap. Authors who also use QuickBooks Solopreneur can use its built-in mileage tracker and skip MileIQ entirely.