Is DoorDash Worth it in 2024? 7 Things Drivers Need to Know

Deciding if DoorDash is worth it truly depends on what you’re looking for. If it’s flexibility, then DoorDash is one of the easiest and most flexible ways to make money. There are no vehicle requirements, and you can deliver takeout and groceries nearly any time of the day.

Key Points:

• DoorDash is the most widely used food delivery service in the U.S., meaning more people order DoorDash than Uber Eats, Grubhub, and more, according to Bloomberg Second Measure.
• Drivers for DoorDash are paid per order, not a flat hourly rate, and this varies based on time, distance, order size, tips, and promotions.
• DoorDash drivers can delivery for restaurants, grocery stores, and convenience stores.
• You can get paid weekly or cash out the day you deliver for a small fee.

If you’re looking for a flexible side hustle, keep reading to find out if DoorDash is worth it for you.

What DoorDash Drivers Can Expect in 2024:

1. How Much DoorDash Drivers Make

DoorDash doesn’t pay a flat hourly rate when you delivery. You’re based on a number of factors including distance, time, and your delivery market. We talked to a DoorDash driver in Boise, Idaho, and here’s what she said about how much she makes with DoorDash:

“When I go out, my goal is to make $50 a day. Typically, this takes me between two and two and a half hours, which is a reasonable goal. On a bad day, it might take three hours, but on a good day, I can finish in less than two hours. If you commit to this little chunk of time every day, you can bring in $1,500 a month.” – Katie G.

This is just one driver’s experience, and you can better understand how pay varies by looking at the Dasher Pay Model:

Your base pay varies by order, based on an algorithm that looks at time, distance, and desirability for each order. Base pay is between $2-$10 per order, and many drivers report earning base pay of $2-$3 per order. Remember, though, that’s the minimum — you’re also paid for promotions and tips.

The app shows you the base pay per order, and you can decide whether or not to accept the order from there. If the customer has added a tip in advance, you’ll see that too before accepting the order, and you always keep 100% of tips.

Learn more in our full DoorDash Driver Review and How to Make $500 a Week with DoorDash.

2. How To Make The Most Money With DoorDash

Knowing how to make more than the average driver is definitely one of the best ways to make DoorDash worth it. So here are strategies that veteran drivers use to increase their DoorDash pay:

• Take advantage of guaranteed earnings. DoorDash offers guaranteed earnings for drivers in some areas. The idea is that you must complete a minimum number of orders in a certain amount of time. It’s a commitment that you will earn a certain amount. An example would be “Complete 50 deliveries in 7 days and make $500.” If you only make $400 for those orders, DoorDash will add an additional $100 so you reach $500.
• Dash when other drivers won’t. Think about when people don’t want to leave their houses — bad weather, sporting events, holidays, etc. — drivers often see higher pay because there are fewer drivers out and people are more generous tippers.
• Check your email and the app for promotions. DoorDash notifies drivers about bonuses and promotions via email and the app, and you can enable them to take advantage of extra pay.
• Deliver for multiple apps. Many delivery drivers drive for more than one service because you can be picky about the orders you accept and have less downtime. DoorDash drivers are considered independent contractors and can deliver for multiple services.
• Focus on larger orders: Because you get to see how much every order is worth before you accept it, you can be picky. Many drivers focus on high-dollar orders to maximize their earnings. Larger orders generally have a higher base pay and tip.
• Be willing to drive during meal times: This is when the app is busiest, so you’re more likely to see high base pay amounts and PeakPay bonuses.
• Avoid traffic: Sitting in traffic will quickly burn through your hourly average. DoorDash gives you directions for pick-up and delivery, but using an app like Waze can help you find the best route.
• Fit DoorDash into your weekly routine: You can pick up an order on your way home from work. Squeeze in a delivery while you’re running errands on Saturday. Grab your partner and go for a date-night delivery — yes, you can deliver for DoorDash with other people in the car!

3. When DoorDash Pays Drivers

DoorDash drivers are paid weekly via direct deposit. You’ll enter your bank account information when you sign up to drive, and DoorDash sends payments for the previous week on Monday. It takes about 2-3 days for the funds to hit your account, and drivers typically see pay hit your bank account on Wednesday evening.

You can also cash out daily with Fast Pay. This feature allows you to cash out immediately for a $1.99 fee per use.

You can also sign up for the free Dasher Direct Prepaid Visa Debit Card and cash out with Fast Pay for free. The Dasher Direct card works just like a normal debit card, and your earnings go directly to that card so you can start spending immediately.

4. How DoorDash Drivers Pay For Gas And Expenses

DoorDash drivers are considered independent contractors, meaning you are responsible for paying for gas, insurance, tracking your mileage, wear and tear on your car, etc. The same goes for Instacart, Uber Eats, Postmates, Shipt, etc.

These expenses add up and can eat into your take-home pay, which is why that low base pay is so frustrating for some drivers. The best thing you can do for yourself is set up a good system for tracking all of your expenses to deduct as much as possible on your taxes.

Learn more in DoorDash Taxes FAQs (Your Guide for 2024).

You will be able to take a standard mileage deduction — it’s $0.65/mile for the 2024 tax year — and that covers wear and tear on your car. Drivers can also deduct a percentage of their cell phone bill, parking fees, inspections, and any expense associated with driving because they’re necessary for work.

DoorDash drivers also need to purchase special rideshare insurance, which is special car insurance to cover you while you’re driving. You can expect to pay about $15/month for it, and it’s also deductible.

5. DoorDash Driver Requirements

If you’ve gotten through everything and think DoorDash might be worth it for you, then one of the final things to consider are the driver requirements. Fortunately, there are pretty minimal requirements.

Here are the requirements if you want to become a DoorDash driver:

• Must be 18 or older and meet the minimum driving age in your city
• Have access to a car, scooter, or bicycle in some cities — there are no make, model, and year requirements for vehicles
• Have a driver’s license number
• Have auto insurance
• Social security number if delivering in the U.S.
• Complete a DoorDash background check

If you meet those requirements, DoorDash is a very flexible way to make extra money. It’s true that you might not be making as much as you’d expect, but sometimes you just need something flexible.

6. How To Sign Up For Doordash

There’s an 8-step process to sign up and start driving for DoorDash. It takes about 5 minutes to complete the first step, and then it can take about a week, max 2 weeks, before you’re fully approved and approved to start driving.

Here are the steps to sign up for DoorDash:

1. Open the DoorDash sign-up page here to complete your Dasher profile. You will need to enter your zip code, email address, and phone number to register.
2. Submit your profile information. You will need to enter your full, legal name and create a password to complete your profile.
3. Download the Dasher app. DoorDash will send you a download link for the iOS or Android app.
4. Select your vehicle type. This is where you will have the option to sign up to deliver via scooter, bicycle, car, or on foot, depending on the market. If you’re delivering for DoorDash with a car, you will need to add vehicle details, like make, model, and color.
5. Complete an identity verification process. To become a DoorDash driver, you will have to upload a picture of a valid government ID and a selfie to match the picture on your ID.
6. Submit to a background check. All delivery services require that you complete this step as a safety measure. It consists of reviewing your motor vehicle report and criminal history report. You can learn more here.
7. Choose your preferred payout method. You can select weekly or instant payments with DoorDash. Instant payments cost $1.99 unless you sign up for the free Dasher Direct Business Visa Prepaid Debit Card. If you select the Instantly option, you will be redirected to a Dasher Direct sign-up page. With either option, you will need to add your bank account information to get paid.
8. Click on “Start Dashing” to start driving. DoorDash will notify you when you’re approved to drive, and then you will click the “Start Dashing” button to take your first drive. The DoorDasher app gives you directions and information for completing accepting, delivering, and completing all of your orders.

After you complete the process, you will be prompted to enter your mailing address to receive a free new driver gift. It includes the DoorDash Red Card, which is how you pay for some orders, an insulated hot bag, getting started manual.

7. How DoorDash Compares To Other Delivery Apps

DoorDash is by far the most popular food delivery service in the U.S. right now. It holds over 65% of the market shared, according to Bloomberg Second Measure, with Uber Eats following at 23%.

The reality is that you don’t have to only choose one service to deliver for. They’re all very similar in how they work for drivers, and most drivers find it worth it to multi-app so they can be selective with the orders they take.

Check out our comparisons to learn more:

• DoorDash vs. Uber Eats
• DoorDash vs. Grubhub
• Instacart vs. DoorDash

Is Doordash Worth It? The Final Word

You came here to learn if DoorDash is worth it, and the reality is that it depends on you. Of course, some days will be busier than others, but you always get to keep 100% of your tips.

There are no start-up costs, and you can start making money in about 1-2 weeks, so not a bad deal if you’re looking for ways to make money fast.

I honestly think driving for DoorDash is good for a lot of different kinds of people. It’s not going to make you rich, but it’s a flexible way to make extra money. If you’re looking for a higher-paying side hustle or more options, check out this list:  Best Side Hustle Ideas to Make $1,000+ Per Month.