"With California gas prices always hovering near the top of the national average, driving to a superior court can be an expensive endeavor. Here is what the state actually pays you back."
California has a very specific rule regarding juror travel. The state reimburses mileage at 34 cents per mile, but crucially, it only pays for travel one way (from your home to the courthouse). They do not pay for your return trip home.
For example, if you live 20 miles from the courthouse, you drive 40 miles round trip. The court will only reimburse you for 20 miles, meaning you receive $6.80 for the day's travel.
Just like the daily $15 stipend, mileage reimbursement in California does not apply to your first day of service. If you drive to the courthouse on Monday for selection and are dismissed by noon, you receive zero dollars for your gas.
If you are asked to return on Tuesday, you will begin receiving the 34-cent one-way reimbursement starting on that second day.
Because the mileage reimbursement is so low and parking in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco is a nightmare, most superior courts offer free public transit passes (like a Metro tap card) to jurors. If you take public transit, you forgo the 34-cent mileage, but you save yourself the stress of LA traffic.
California pays 34 cents per mile, but only one-way, and only starting on your second day of service. Take advantage of free public transit passes if your court offers them.