How much can I make with what delivery driving actually pays?

Earnings for what delivery driving actually pays vary based on experience, location, and time invested. See the earnings breakdown above for specific ranges.

How do I get started with what delivery driving actually pays?

Start by reviewing the requirements and steps outlined in this guide. Most people can begin within a few days to a week of initial setup.

Is what delivery driving actually pays worth it as a side hustle?

It can be worthwhile depending on your skills, available time, and local demand. Review the pros and cons section above to evaluate fit.

What Delivery Driving Actually Pays in 2026 | Real Numbers After Expenses

Delivery apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Instacart advertise earnings of $20-25 per hour. What they don't emphasize is that this is gross pay before expenses. After you subtract gas, vehicle maintenance, self-employment taxes, and the occasional parking ticket, most drivers net between $10-16 per hour. Some do better in high-demand markets; many do worse in oversaturated areas. This guide breaks down where the money actually goes.

How Delivery App Pay Actually Works

Gig delivery platforms pay per order, not per hour. Your earnings depend on base pay (set by the algorithm), tips (varies wildly), and bonuses (inconsistent). The apps show you "active time" earnings, which only counts time between accepting and completing orders—not the waiting, driving to hotspots, or sitting in parking lots.

Here's the typical breakdown of where gross earnings go:

Gas: 15-25% of gross, depending on your vehicle's MPG and local fuel prices
Vehicle wear: $0.10-0.15 per mile for tires, oil changes, brakes, and eventual repairs
Self-employment tax: 15.3% of net profit (Social Security + Medicare)
Income tax: Varies by bracket, but plan for 10-22% on top of SE tax
Phone/data: $50-100/month if you need an upgraded plan
Insurance gap: Personal auto policies often don't cover commercial delivery

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Essential Gear for Delivery Drivers

Insulated Food Delivery Bag - Keep orders hot/cold for better ratings and tips
Dashboard Phone Mount - Hands-free navigation for safe deliveries
36W Fast Car Charger - Keep your phone charged during long shifts
20000mAh Portable Power Bank - Backup power for extended delivery blocks

What to Realistically Expect

Time required: Most part-timers work 10-20 hours per week. Full-time drivers typically log 40-50 hours to hit income targets, though "active hours" may only count for 60-70% of that.
Earnings range: Gross $15-28/hour depending on market and timing. Net after all expenses: $10-16/hour is typical. Top 10% in good markets might net $18-20/hour.
Main tradeoffs: Maximum flexibility but zero benefits, unpredictable demand, and vehicle depreciation that compounds over time.

Time Commitment and Schedule Reality

The flexibility is real—you can log on whenever you want. But earning consistent money requires working when demand exists: lunch (11am-1pm), dinner (5pm-9pm), and weekends. Weekday afternoons and late nights are often dead.

What the apps don't count as "work time":

Driving to your delivery zone
Waiting for orders during slow periods
Returning from a delivery to a busy area
Time spent declining low-pay orders

If you work a 4-hour dinner shift, you might only have 2.5-3 hours of "active" paid time. This is why your actual hourly rate is lower than the app displays.

Income Ranges and What Affects Them

Factor	Lower Earnings	Higher Earnings
Market	Suburban, oversaturated	Urban, high-demand
Vehicle	SUV, 18 MPG	Hybrid/EV, 45+ MPG
Hours	Random, off-peak	Peak lunch/dinner
Strategy	Accept everything	Cherry-pick $2+/mile
Multi-apping	Single platform	2-3 apps simultaneously

Net hourly ranges by scenario: A driver in Phoenix with a Prius working dinner shifts might net $16-18/hour. A driver in a small town with an older truck working random hours might net $8-11/hour. Same gig, very different outcomes.

Calculate Your Actual Earnings

Use our free calculator to see what you'd actually take home based on your vehicle, market, and hours.

Open Earnings Calculator

Common Pitfalls

Ignoring vehicle depreciation

Putting 30,000 extra miles per year on your car accelerates depreciation significantly. A $20,000 car might lose $4,000-6,000 in value annually from delivery use alone.

Not tracking expenses

Without tracking, you'll overestimate earnings and underpay quarterly taxes. The IRS mileage deduction ($0.67/mile in 2026) can significantly reduce your tax burden—but only if you log miles.

Chasing surge pricing

Driving 20 minutes to a "busy" zone often means the surge ends before you arrive. Staying in familiar areas usually nets more than chasing bonuses.

Insurance gaps

Standard auto insurance typically excludes commercial delivery. If you're in an accident while delivering, your claim could be denied. Rideshare/delivery endorsements add $20-50/month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make $1,000 a week doing delivery?

Gross, yes—working 40-50 hours in a decent market. Net after expenses, you're looking at $600-750 in most cases. Hitting $1,000 net requires 50+ hours in a high-demand area with an efficient vehicle.

Which delivery app pays the most?

It varies by market. Instacart often has higher per-order pay but fewer orders. DoorDash has volume but lower base pay. Most experienced drivers run 2-3 apps and take the best available order.

Is delivery driving worth it as a side hustle?

It depends on your alternatives. If you have a fuel-efficient car, flexible schedule needs, and no better-paying options, it can work for supplemental income. If you're choosing between this and a part-time W-2 job paying $15+/hour with benefits, the W-2 often comes out ahead after expenses.

How much should I set aside for taxes?

25-30% of your net profit (after expenses) is a safe estimate for combined self-employment and income taxes. Pay quarterly to avoid penalties.

What's the best car for delivery driving?

Hybrid sedans like the Toyota Prius or Honda Insight offer the best balance of fuel efficiency (45-55 MPG) and reliability. Electric vehicles can work in urban areas with good charging infrastructure but range anxiety and charging downtime can cut into earnings. Avoid trucks and SUVs unless you're doing large-item or furniture delivery.

How do I track mileage for taxes?

Use an app like Stride, Everlance, or MileIQ that automatically tracks drives. The IRS requires contemporaneous records—a log written at the time of the drive, not reconstructed later. Track every delivery mile; the deduction ($0.67/mile) typically reduces your taxable income by 40-60%.

Should I multi-app?

Multi-apping (running DoorDash, Uber Eats, and others simultaneously) is common among experienced drivers. It reduces downtime between orders and lets you cherry-pick higher-paying deliveries. The tradeoff: more mental load, higher risk of late deliveries, and some platforms may deactivate drivers who consistently have late orders.

What Delivery Driving Actually Pays in 2026