Locum Tenens Travel 101: How to Get to Your Assignment Like a Pro (and Pick the Right One Because of It)

Locum Tenens Travel Options

Locum tenens is a clinical job… wrapped in a logistics operation. The medicine is rarely the hard part. The travel is what separates “this is an amazing lifestyle” from “why am I doing this to myself?”

If you’re a locum tenens doctor, travel is not a side detail. It’s a core variable that impacts:

• Your take-home pay (flights, rental cars, mileage, meals, taxes)

• Your fatigue and clinical performance (red-eyes, drive time, sleep disruptions)

• Your risk profile (weather delays, missed shifts, liability if you’re late)

• Your happiness (commute grind vs. a clean routine)

• Your ability to repeat assignments (the best locum gigs become repeatable systems)

This guide breaks down how to travel to a locum tenens assignment—flying, driving, commuting, hybrid strategies—plus the real-world intricacies that should influence which assignments you accept.

1) The Real Rule of Locum Tenens Travel: Reliability Beats Cheap

In locum tenens, the “best” travel option isn’t the cheapest. It’s the one that is:

1. Most reliable,

2. Least disruptive to sleep, and

3. Most predictable,
   while still being financially sensible.

Locum travel isn’t like vacation travel. You’re not landing and relaxing. You’re landing and being responsible for patient outcomes—sometimes immediately.

A flight that saves $180 but adds a connection, arrives late, or forces a midnight arrival before a 7 a.m. shift is a false economy. The cost is paid in fatigue, stress, and error risk.

Working principle:

Optimize for a travel plan you can repeat for months without burnout.

2) Understand Who Pays for Travel (and Why It Matters)

Before you evaluate flying vs driving vs commuting, you need clarity on travel responsibility. This varies by agency, client, contract, and your leverage.

Common arrangements:

A) Agency-books-and-pays (most common)

• Agency books flights, rental car, hotel

• You might have input but limited control

• Pro: less admin, less upfront spending

• Con: sometimes they choose “cheapest” over “best”

B) Reimbursement model

• You book everything, submit receipts

• Usually a daily/weekly cap or “reasonable expenses”

• Pro: control, points, hotel choice

• Con: cashflow, paperwork, risk of denied items

C) Stipend / flat travel allowance

• You get a set amount per day/week/month

• Anything you save is yours; anything over is on you

• Pro: incentives you to optimize

• Con: you carry risk during surges (peak travel, storms)

D) You pay (rare, but happens)

• Sometimes for higher hourly rates, last-minute gigs, or per diem structures

• If you’re paying, travel becomes a major factor in assignment selection

Key: Don’t evaluate travel in isolation. Evaluate:
(pay rate) – (travel burden) – (sleep cost)

3) The Four Main Locum Travel Styles (and Who They Fit)

1) Fly-in / Fly-out

You live far away and travel by air to each block of shifts.

Best for:

• High-paying assignments

• Rural/underserved locations

• People who want geographic variety

• Block scheduling (e.g., 7 on/7 off, 10-day stretches)

Worst for:

• Frequent one-off shifts

• Very early start times the day after arrival

• Locations with unreliable airports/weather

2) Drive-in assignments (regional)

You drive 1–6 hours and stay locally for the block.

Best for:

• Medium-distance assignments

• People who want control and fewer delays

• Those who dislike flying

• Assignments requiring gear (ultrasound, procedural kits, etc.)

Worst for:

• Frequent back-and-forth commuting

• Winter-weather corridors

• Very long drives after a shift

3) True commuting (daily/nearby)

You treat the assignment like a regular job: drive there and back daily.

Best for:

• Local facilities within 30–75 minutes

• Short assignments or part-time coverage

• Keeping family routine stable

Worst for:

• Long call shifts

• Heavy traffic markets

• 12+ hour days (adds unsafe driving)

4) Hybrid / hub-and-spoke

You “hub” in a city (or keep a crash pad) and travel outward by short flights/drives to multiple facilities.

Best for:

• Multi-state licensure physicians

• High volume locums careers

• People optimizing points and schedules

Worst for:

• Anyone who hates logistics

• Situations where agencies won’t accommodate your plan

4) Flying to a Locum Tenens Assignment: The Real Pros, Cons, and Hidden Traps

Flying is the default for many locums doctors. The mistake is treating it like regular business travel.

Advantages of flying

• Access to higher-paying remote gigs

• Faster than multi-day drives

• Easier for repeating blocks (Mon–Fri, 7-on/7-off)

• Often paid by agency

The flying downsides that matter clinically

• Delays/cancellations can jeopardize your shift

• Sleep disruption from early flights or late arrivals

• Weather impacts (especially winter and regional airports)

• Lost bags = lost scrubs/gear (and stress)

The most important flying variable: direct vs connection

Direct flights are not a luxury. They’re an insurance policy.

Connections introduce:

• Missed connections

• Gate sprinting

• Delayed checked bags

• Higher likelihood of late arrival

If you must connect:

• Avoid the last flight of the day

• Choose larger hubs with many alternates

• Build buffer time

Arrival timing: the day before is usually the correct answer

For most clinical roles, arriving the day before your first shift is the safe play.

Arriving same-day is only reasonable if:

• Your shift is late afternoon/evening

• There are multiple earlier flight options

• Weather is stable

• The facility has backup coverage (rare)

Red-eye before a daytime shift: almost always a bad idea unless you are truly adapted and can sleep on planes.

Airports: don’t ignore “airport friction”

Two assignments might be the same pay rate, but:

• One is 30 minutes from a major airport

• One is 2.5 hours from a regional airport with 2 flights a day

That’s not a small difference. That is a lifestyle difference.

Ask:

• How far is the facility from the airport in real driving time?

• Is there a shuttle? Uber availability? Rental cars required?

• Are there frequent flight cancellations there?

Checked bag vs carry-on: locums strategy

Carry-on is ideal, but some docs carry equipment, gifts, winter gear, etc.

A reliable compromise:

• Carry-on essentials: scrubs, underwear, chargers, credentials, stethoscope

• Checked bag: everything else

If your checked bag disappears, you can still work.

Points, loyalty, and upgrades: the locums multiplier

If you travel often, build a simple loyalty stack:

• One primary airline (status)

• One primary hotel chain (status)

• One main credit card earning transferable points

• Keep it boring and repeatable

You don’t need to be a “travel hacker” to benefit. Consistency is the advantage.

5) Driving to a Locum Tenens Assignment: When Driving Beats Flying

Driving can be the most underrated locums travel strategy—especially for regional assignments.

Advantages of driving

• Total control and predictability

• No TSA, no delays, no canceled flights

• You can bring more gear

• You can choose exactly where you stop/stay

• Often cheaper (especially if reimbursed mileage)

Downsides of driving

• Fatigue risk (especially after shifts)

• Winter weather and highway closures

• Vehicle wear and tear

• Time cost (opportunity cost of hours on the road)

The critical driving decision: drive before vs after shifts

Common error:

• Working a long day, then driving 3 hours at night.

Best practice:

• Drive in the day before

• Drive home the day after

• If you must drive post-shift, keep it short

If you’re doing call, driving after call can be dangerous. Plan rest.

Rental car vs personal car

Even when driving, consider whether:

• Agency will reimburse mileage

• Rental cars are covered (sometimes cheaper than mileage at longer distances)

• You want to avoid personal vehicle depreciation

For frequent regional locums, some docs keep:

• A dedicated “work” vehicle

• Or choose a reliable, comfortable car optimized for highway time

Driving distance thresholds (practical heuristic)

• 0–60 minutes: daily commute possible

• 60–150 minutes: depends on schedule; consider staying overnight

• 150–300 minutes (2.5–5 hours): usually block travel + local lodging

• 300+ minutes: flying becomes attractive unless location is a “drive corridor” you know well

These aren’t rules; they’re sanity guardrails.

6) Commuting: Treating Locums Like a Local Job

Commuting works when the assignment is truly local and the shifts are predictable.

When commuting makes sense

• Short-term coverage nearby

• You want to stay home with family

• The schedule is daytime only

• Minimal call burden

When commuting is a trap

• Long cases + unpredictable end times

• Heavy call schedules

• “Just 75 minutes” in a city with traffic = 2+ hours some days

• Night shifts with a morning commute home

If you’re commuting after a night shift, consider:

• A crash pad near the facility

• A hotel for post-night recovery

• A rule: “No driving home after nights”

7) Lodging Strategy: Hotels, Extended Stay, Furnished Rentals, and “Crash Pads”

Travel isn’t only how you get there—it’s where you live while you’re there.

Hotels (standard locums setup)

Pros:

• Easy, flexible

• Housekeeping

• Loyalty points
  Cons:

• Smaller rooms

• No kitchen can inflate food costs

• Noise/variable quality

Extended-stay hotels

Pros:

• Kitchenette

• Better for blocks of weeks

• Often quieter
  Cons:

• Can be far from hospital

• Less flexible cancellation

Furnished apartments / rentals

Pros:

• Best quality of life for 1–3 month assignments

• Laundry, kitchen, workout space
  Cons:

• Deposits, cleaning fees

• Cancellation complexity

• Neighborhood variability

Crash pads (especially for commuters)

Pros:

• Cheap, consistent

• Good if you’re in one region repeatedly
  Cons:

• Less comfort

• You’re maintaining a second living situation

The locums food trap:
If you don’t have a kitchen, your “travel cost” includes eating out more, which matters financially and metabolically. Many physicians underestimate this.

8) Rental Cars, Rideshare, and the “Last Mile” Problem

Even if flights/hotels are handled, the last mile can break your assignment.

Ask before signing:

• Will you need a car?

• Is the hotel walkable to the facility?

• Is rideshare reliable at 5 a.m.?

• Is there snow/ice? Mountain roads?

Rental car (most common)

Pros:

• Independence

• Predictable
  Cons:

• Parking, insurance questions, time at counter

Rideshare

Pros:

• No driving stress

• Good in cities
  Cons:

• Unreliable in rural settings

• Surge pricing

• Hard early morning availability

Facility shuttles

Pros:

• Simple if reliable
  Cons:

• Adds schedule dependency

9) The Hidden Locum Tenens Travel Variables That Should Change Which Assignments You Pick

Here’s where most doctors level up: you don’t just pick assignments by pay and location—you pick by travel ergonomics.

A) Start time vs arrival time

A 7 a.m. start means:

• You should be local the night before

• You need sleep protection

• Any travel delay is amplified

B) Call expectations and travel feasibility

If you’re on call:

• Are you expected to be within 20–30 minutes?

• Do you need to be on-site?

• What are response-time requirements?

This determines where you can lodge and whether you can take rideshare.

C) Weather and seasonality

Winter locums in snow states changes everything:

• Flight reliability

• Road conditions

• Need for AWD/4WD

• Buffer days

An assignment that is easy in July may be brutal in January.

D) Airport size and flight frequency

Smaller airports mean fewer fallback options. If your flight cancels, you may be stuck.

E) Facility flexibility and backup coverage

Some places will:

• Shift your start

• Provide backup if you’re delayed

Many will not. Ask explicitly.

F) Total travel hours per shift block

Calculate:

• Door-to-door travel time (home to hotel)

• Times two (there and back)

• Per block of shifts

A “great rate” can become mediocre when you realize you’re donating 12 travel hours every week.

10) The Locum Tenens Travel Checklist (Before You Accept an Assignment)

Use this as a high-signal set of questions for your recruiter and (when possible) the facility:

Flights

• Are direct flights available?

• What are the typical flight times?

• Is arriving the day before covered?

• What happens if there’s a delay—who do I call and what’s the contingency?

Driving/Distance

• Airport-to-hospital drive time?

• Typical traffic?

• Weather risks?

• Is a rental car required or optional?

Lodging

• Hotel brand/quality?

• Distance to facility?

• Kitchenette?

• Quiet/safe area?

• Parking included?

Schedule

• First shift start time relative to travel arrival

• Last shift end time relative to travel departure

• Call requirements (response time, location constraints)

Reimbursement

• Who books?

• What’s covered (baggage fees, seat selection, upgrades, gas, tolls)?

• Reimbursement timeline and caps

• What receipts are needed?

Practicalities

• Scrub policy? Badge pickup? EHR training timing?

• Where do you park?

• What’s the plan if you arrive late due to travel?

If a recruiter can’t answer these clearly, that’s information too.

11) How to Build a Sustainable Locums Travel Routine

A long-term locums career needs standardization.

Create a “go bag” system

Keep a dedicated locums kit:

• Spare stethoscope

• Chargers

• Badge holder

• Compression socks

• Travel toiletries

• Backup scrubs

• Copies of credentials

• Snacks for late arrivals

Protect sleep aggressively

Sleep is your performance enhancer and your medicolegal risk reducer.

• Avoid late arrivals before early starts

• Use consistent bedtime routines

• Consider earplugs/white noise in hotels

Buffer the first day

If the facility requires onboarding, EHR training, badge pickup:

• Do it the day before clinical work if possible

• Don’t stack it onto an already travel-heavy day

Choose assignments that you can repeat

The best locums jobs are the ones you can do repeatedly with minimal friction:

• Same travel route

• Same hotel or rental

• Same unit, same workflows

• Familiar EHR

Repetition turns chaos into lifestyle.

12) Assignment Selection: How Travel Should Influence the Deal (Not Just the Decision)

If travel is burdensome, you can sometimes negotiate:

• Higher rate

• Block scheduling

• Fewer travel legs

• Arrive day before covered

• Better hotel or furnished rental

• Rental car class upgrade (for safety in winter)

• Longer assignment length (to reduce travel frequency)

You’re not being difficult. You’re managing professional readiness.

A travel-heavy assignment that “needs coverage urgently” often has flexibility—you just have to ask.

13) Common Locums Travel Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Mistake 1: Underestimating door-to-door time

Air travel is not “2 hours.” It’s:

• Drive to airport

• Park/return car

• TSA

• Boarding

• Flight

• Deplane

• Rental car/shuttle

• Drive to hotel

Mistake 2: Taking the last flight of the day

If it cancels, you’re done. Choose routes with backups.

Mistake 3: Arriving too close to shift start

Build buffer. Medicine demands reliability.

Mistake 4: Driving after call

Don’t. Sleep first or stay local.

Mistake 5: Ignoring food and fitness logistics

A kitchen and a decent gym option can make a 3-month assignment feel easy instead of draining.

Mistake 6: Not clarifying reimbursement rules

Some agencies require pre-approval for baggage, upgrades, certain hotels, or mileage beyond a threshold.

14) Putting It All Together: How to Pick Assignments Using a “Travel Score”

When comparing locum tenens assignments, create a simple internal score:

A) Reliability score

• Direct flight? Yes/no

• Multiple flight options? Yes/no

• Weather risk? Low/medium/high

• Drive risk? Low/medium/high

B) Fatigue score

• Arrival time vs shift start

• Call burden

• Travel frequency per month

• Time zone changes

C) Quality-of-life score

• Lodging quality

• Kitchen availability

• Distance to hospital

• Gym/walkability

• Safety/quiet

D) Financial score

• Rate

• Travel coverage

• Per diem/stipend

• Tax implications (if you’re traveling with a tax home strategy)

The “best” assignment is the one with the best combined score—not the highest hourly number on paper.

Final Thoughts: Locum Tenens Travel Is a Skill, Not a Headache

If you treat travel as an afterthought, locums can feel exhausting. If you treat travel as a system, locums becomes one of the most flexible and lucrative ways to practice medicine.

The goal isn’t to travel like a tourist. It’s to travel like a professional:

• predictable

• well-rested

• prepared

• and financially optimized.

Locum Tenens Travel FAQ

1) What’s the best way to travel to a locum tenens assignment: fly or drive?

It depends on reliability, distance, schedule, and season. Flying is usually best when the assignment is far, the pay is strong, and you can travel in blocks (e.g., 7-on/7-off). Driving often beats flying for regional assignments because it’s more predictable and gives you control—especially when you factor in delays, airport time, and baggage risk. A useful rule: if the assignment is under ~3–4 hours by car, driving often wins; beyond that, flying becomes more appealing unless you’re in a “known corridor” you’re comfortable driving regularly.

2) Should I arrive the day before my first shift?

In most cases, yes—especially if your first shift is early (7 a.m. or similar), you’re unfamiliar with the hospital, or weather is a factor. Arriving the day before protects your sleep and adds buffer if travel disruptions happen. Same-day arrival can work if your shift is later in the day, there are multiple earlier flights, and your facility has a realistic contingency plan. But as a default professional standard, arrive the day before.

3) Who typically pays for travel in locum tenens?

Most commonly, either the agency books and pays (flights, hotel, rental car) or you book and get reimbursed. Some assignments use a flat stipend. Always clarify exactly what’s covered: flights, checked bags, seat selection, rental car insurance, gas, tolls, parking, meals, laundry, and internet. “Travel covered” can mean different things depending on the agency or client, so get specifics in writing.

4) What should I do if the agency is trying to book the cheapest flight with connections?

Push back politely and frame it as a patient-safety and reliability issue. Connections increase the risk of delays, missed connections, and lost luggage. Ask for direct flights whenever available, and if not available, request a route with multiple backup options (larger hub, earlier arrival, and not the last flight of the day). You’re not being high-maintenance—you’re ensuring you can show up rested and on time.

5) Is it reasonable to fly in the same day as my shift?

It can be, but it’s higher risk. Same-day works best when:

• Your shift starts late afternoon/evening

• You have multiple earlier flights on reliable routes

• You’re flying into a major airport with redundancy

• Weather is stable
  If your shift is early morning, same-day travel is usually a bad plan unless you’re local-ish and have multiple backup options.

6) Are red-eye flights worth it for locum tenens?

Usually no, especially before daytime clinical work. Even if you can sleep somewhat on planes, red-eyes disrupt circadian rhythm and reduce cognitive sharpness—exactly what you don’t want before patient care. A red-eye can make sense if you’re arriving for a later start, you’ve proven you tolerate it well, and you can sleep immediately upon arrival. But as a general rule, prioritize sleep stability over “saving a hotel night.”

7) What’s the safest way to handle travel delays that could make me late?

Have a contingency plan before you travel:

• Choose flights with backups (not the last flight)

• Arrive the day before the first shift

• Keep essentials in carry-on

• Get the facility’s “day-of” contact number (not just recruiter)
  If delays happen, notify the recruiter and facility immediately and document communication. For some facilities, showing proactive communication matters as much as the delay itself.

8) Should I use a carry-on only, or check a bag?

Carry-on only is ideal, but many locums physicians need more gear. The best compromise is:

• Carry-on essentials: scrubs, underwear, chargers, toiletries, stethoscope, credentials

• Checked bag: everything else
  That way, if your checked bag is delayed, you can still function and work. If the agency is paying, confirm whether checked bag fees are reimbursed.

9) What are the most important “carry-on essentials” for a locum tenens doctor?

At minimum:

• One full change of scrubs + underwear/socks

• Stethoscope, pens, trauma shears (if you use them)

• Chargers (phone, laptop/tablet), portable battery

• Credentials copies (license, DEA if needed, board cert)

• Any specialty tools you can’t replace easily

• Basic toiletries and meds

• Snacks and hydration (air travel is dehydrating)
  Think of your carry-on as “I can work tomorrow even if my checked bag disappears.”

10) How do I decide whether to rent a car, use Uber, or rely on shuttles?

It depends on the location and the shift schedule. In cities, rideshare can be convenient. In rural areas, rideshare may be unreliable—especially early mornings. A rental car usually provides the most predictable control, particularly when you’re on call or need to arrive at odd hours. If the facility expects you to be within a short response time for call, you almost certainly need a car and lodging that supports the response requirement.

11) How far should the hotel be from the hospital?

Ideally 10–20 minutes in normal conditions. For call-heavy assignments, you may need to be closer, depending on the facility’s response expectations. Longer drives can be fine for daytime-only shifts, but consider traffic, weather, and parking logistics. If a hotel is “30 minutes away” in a metro area, translate that into real-world time—because it may be 50–70 minutes during rush periods.

12) What’s the best lodging option for a locum tenens assignment: hotel or furnished apartment?

For short blocks (a few days to a couple weeks), hotels or extended-stay hotels are easiest. For longer assignments (4+ weeks), furnished apartments can greatly improve quality of life: kitchen, laundry, more space, better sleep. The catch is flexibility—apartments can be harder to cancel or change last minute. If your schedule is stable and you’re there longer, apartments often win.

13) Why is having a kitchen such a big deal?

Because food costs and health compound quickly on assignment. Without a kitchen, you’re more likely to eat out, spend more, and drift into low-quality nutrition. A kitchenette allows predictable meals, better recovery, and a routine—especially if you’re working long shifts. Kitchen access also reduces the “travel tax” that silently erodes take-home income.

14) How does call change travel planning?

Call determines:

• How close you must stay

• Whether you need a reliable car

• Whether you can safely drive home after shift blocks

• Whether you should avoid long drives post-call
  If you have in-house call or heavy call, plan lodging for sleep, and avoid any travel plan that requires long drives immediately after call.

15) Is commuting daily to a locums assignment a good idea?

It can be if the assignment is truly local and predictable. But commuting can become draining fast, especially if:

• Shifts run long

• Traffic is heavy

• You’re doing nights

• You’re on call
  A common compromise is a “commuter hybrid”: commute on day shifts, but use a hotel/crash pad for nights or call.

16) How long of a commute is “too long” for daily travel?

There’s no perfect number, but many physicians find that over ~60–75 minutes each way becomes fatiguing and time-consuming, especially over multiple days. Also consider the “worst day” traffic, not the average day. If you’re doing 12-hour shifts, adding 2–3 hours of driving is often a burnout recipe.

17) Should I ever drive after a long shift or night shift?

Try to avoid it, especially after nights or call. Fatigue is a real safety issue. If you must drive:

• Keep it short

• Take a break before leaving

• Hydrate and eat something

• Consider staying nearby and driving later after sleep
  Building a rule like “No long drives after nights” can save you.

18) How should I think about winter weather for locums travel?

Winter changes everything: flight reliability, road safety, and the need for buffer days. If you’re traveling to snow-prone regions:

• Avoid tight connections

• Avoid last flights of the day

• Consider arriving earlier

• Ask for AWD/4WD rental if roads demand it

• Choose lodging close to facility
  If winter travel risk is high, you may negotiate higher pay or schedule blocks that reduce travel frequency.

19) What’s the “airport friction” factor and why does it matter?

Airport friction is everything that makes travel harder beyond the flight time:

• Distance from airport to hospital/hotel

• Limited flights per day

• Frequent cancellations

• Long rental-car lines

• Remote regional airports
  Two assignments with the same pay can feel totally different based on airport friction. A job 30 minutes from a major airport with 10 daily flights home is worlds apart from a job 2 hours from a tiny airport with 1 daily flight.

20) How do I compare two assignments when one pays more but has worse travel?

Calculate the true cost:

• Total door-to-door travel hours per block

• Travel burden (connections, weather risk, long drive from airport)

• Lodging quality

• Food costs

• Sleep disruption
  A higher hourly rate can be offset by travel fatigue and time. Often, the “better” assignment is the one you can repeat consistently without feeling wrecked.

21) What travel expenses are typically reimbursable?

It varies, but commonly reimbursable items include:

• Airfare

• Hotel

• Rental car

• Gas/tolls/parking

• Sometimes baggage fees and seat selection
  Less consistently reimbursed: meals, upgrades, laundry, tips, internet. Always confirm what’s covered and what needs pre-approval. If you’re on a stipend, track everything anyway so you can see if you’re “winning” or subsidizing.

22) Should I negotiate travel terms, or is that fixed?

You can often negotiate or at least influence travel terms, especially when the facility needs coverage urgently. Items that sometimes have flexibility:

• Arrive the day before covered

• Better flight routing (direct vs connections)

• Better lodging (extended stay, kitchen)

• Rental car type (especially for winter)

• Block scheduling to reduce travel frequency
  Frame negotiations around reliability and readiness, not luxury.

23) How do I handle EHR onboarding and badge pickup with travel?

Try to schedule onboarding the day before clinical work begins. If the hospital requires in-person EHR training, that can be a half-day event you don’t want stacked onto a travel day plus an early shift. Ask early:

• When/where do I get my badge?

• Is EHR training remote or in-person?

• What time do I need to arrive on Day 1?
  The more you compress these, the more stressful your first day becomes.

24) What’s the best strategy for frequent locums travel (weekly or biweekly)?

Standardize:

• Pick one airline and one hotel chain for loyalty/stability

• Keep a dedicated travel kit packed

• Use the same packing list every time

• Choose assignments with repeatable routes

• Avoid tight schedules
  If you travel constantly, your edge is not “finding the cheapest thing”—it’s building a system that works under stress.

25) Are travel points and loyalty programs actually worth it for locum tenens doctors?

They can be very worth it if you travel frequently. Consistency earns status, which can translate into:

• Fewer hassles

• Better customer service during disruptions

• Room upgrades

• Late checkouts

• Priority boarding
  Even without “hacking,” sticking to one airline/hotel can reduce friction and improve quality of life.

26) What if the agency books travel but I want more control?

Ask for a “preference-based” approach:

• You approve flight itineraries before ticketing

• You set constraints (direct only; no last flight; arrive day before)

• You request specific hotel types (quiet, kitchen)
  Some agencies will accommodate. If they can’t, consider booking yourself with reimbursement if allowed.

27) How do I ensure I’m not losing money on travel when paid by stipend?

Track real expenses carefully. Stipends work best when:

• You optimize routes and lodging

• You reduce eating out

• You choose longer blocks (fewer round trips)
  If your stipend routinely doesn’t cover costs, renegotiate or choose different assignments. A stipend should not quietly turn you into the subsidizer.

28) What’s the best way to travel for a short assignment (like 2–4 days)?

Optimize simplicity:

• Fly direct if possible

• Carry-on only if you can

• Hotel close to hospital

• Rental car only if needed (rideshare may be fine in cities)
  Short assignments can be disproportionately stressful because the logistics are the same but the time horizon is shorter. Keep it streamlined.

29) What’s the best way to travel for a long assignment (like 1–3 months)?

Plan for lifestyle:

• Consider a furnished rental or extended-stay

• Bring fitness and meal prep into your plan

• Choose a location with reasonable amenities

• Reduce travel frequency by negotiating blocks
  Long assignments are where quality-of-life decisions pay off.

30) What should I do if I’m asked to float between multiple hospitals?

This is a travel and fatigue issue. Get specifics:

• How far apart are the sites?

• Who decides where you go and when?

• Is travel time compensated?

• Is there a “home base” site?
  Multi-site assignments can be great or miserable depending on drive distances and schedule predictability. Price this complexity into your decision.

31) How do I handle travel when my schedule changes at the last minute?

Ask the recruiter:

• What’s the policy if the facility changes shift days/times?

• Who pays change fees?

• How much notice is typical?
  If last-minute changes are common, you want flexible bookings and buffer. In high-variability settings, driving may be more reliable than flying.

32) Are there tax considerations around locum tenens travel?

Yes, potentially—especially if you’re treating locums as a business and maintaining a qualifying “tax home.” Travel reimbursements, per diems, and deductible expenses can get complicated depending on your employment structure (W-2 vs 1099), how reimbursements are handled, and whether you’re duplicating expenses away from your tax home. This is worth discussing with a tax professional familiar with locums/travel healthcare, because the rules and your structure matter.

33) What’s a “travel dealbreaker” that should make me decline an assignment?

Common dealbreakers include:

• Only one daily flight option with frequent cancellations

• Long drive from airport to hospital with bad weather risk

• Expectation of same-day arrival before early start

• Heavy call requirements but hotel far away

• Unsafe driving expectations after nights/call

• Unclear reimbursement policies or frequent schedule changes
  If travel logistics feel fragile, the assignment will feel stressful.

34) How do I evaluate whether an assignment is “repeatable”?

Repeatable assignments have:

• Predictable travel route

• Reliable airport access

• Stable schedule blocks

• Reasonable lodging options

• A facility that respects your time and communicates clearly
  Repeatability is how locums becomes a sustainable career rather than a constant scramble.

35) What’s the simplest “gold standard” locums travel plan?

A highly repeatable, low-stress plan looks like:

• Arrive the day before the first shift

• Direct flight or predictable drive

• Lodging 10–20 minutes from facility

• Rental car if needed, otherwise reliable rideshare

• Kitchen access for longer blocks

• Leave the day after the last shift (or late afternoon if feasible)

• Keep a standardized packing list and go-bag
  It’s not glamorous—it’s professional and sustainable.