Meal expense question for self-employed

[CA_consultant]

I am having trouble interpreting the IRS rule "Generally, reimbursed non-entertainment-related meal expenses are deductible if your business trip is overnight or long enough that you need to stop for substantial sleep or rest to properly perform your duties."  As a self-employed, I take frequent long-day trips where I leave early in the morning (usually before 7 am) and fly to my temporary location, then return home (usually after 9 pm).  I know I can deduct the actual air travel, rental car, etc., but for a less than 24 hr trip, can I deduct my own meal expenses since it is such a long day?

[ThomasM125]

No, you would need to be away overnight, meaning a long enough time that you would need to sleep in a bed.