You are wrong on one thing - you cannot claim mileage from your home to your first stop.  That is driving to work they call it like everyone else.  To get around not being able to claim your first large drive time to a courthouse you should make a stop at your bank or open a post office box for your business in your town.  This allows you to start your mileage from this point forward and your deduction will be quite better.  Pick up your mail or the stamps for your business first Note - this is only those working out of your home - if you have an office it will be all mileage from and after your trip to your office.  If you don't do this all mileage starts from your first stop to your second courthouse and not before.