Portal-to-portal means from your door and back to your door. I have used that for local work. I don't know how you charge, but if he doesn't want to pay for your travel and you are going out of state to work, you need to at least charge a day rate to cover your expenses for the trip if you bill by the hour. These days, with gasoline and your time plus wear and tear on the car, you can't afford not to charge for your travel. When I travel, I do charge for travel expenses and for my time. It depends on the client, but that time is dedicated to his project. I'd think about a per diem for just that. Does he own his own business, or does he work for a corporation?