Best Times to DoorDash in 2023 (Dasher Tips!)

DoorDash is one of the best food delivery apps, and DoorDash drivers make $15 to $25/hour, but why is there such a big difference, and how can you make the most money dashing?

It comes down to finding the best times to DoorDash. Depending on when you deliver, you could earn much higher rates during certain times of the day, which is on top of the base pay DoorDash pays per order. For example, delivering on a Monday morning will make you a lot less money than if you delivered on a Saturday night.

DoorDash holds the largest market share in the U.S., and if you want to know the best DoorDash times, we reveal the secrets below.

The Absolute Best Times to DoorDash

The best times to DoorDash vary by area, but almost everywhere, dinnertime is the best. Dinnertime can range from 5 PM to 9 PM.

DoorDash states their peak hours are lunch and dinner or 11 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 9 PM. So if you can schedule your shifts during those times, you’ll make the most money because it’s the busiest, and that’s when customers tend to tip the most. 

DoorDash Disclaimer: Actual earnings may differ and depend on factors like number of deliveries completed, time of day, location, and expenses. Hourly pay is calculated using average Dasher payouts while on a delivery (from the time you accept an order until the time you drop it off) over a 90 day period and includes compensation from peak pay, tips, and other incentives.

When Are the Best Times to DoorDash on Weekends?

Weekends are naturally busier for DoorDash drivers than weekdays because more people order out on the weekends. Like the best times to DoorDash, it’s best to focus your time during lunch or dinner to make the most money, but there’s one exception.

You might make great money delivery late on Friday or Saturday nights. When we say late, we mean after hours - the hours when everyone is coming back from parties or the bar, and they want food. The exact times you should work vary based on the hours of the restaurants in your area, though.

Some areas shut down early while others stay up until the early morning hours, when you could make some great tips. This is especially helpful in college or party towns where most people stay out late.

Other Great Times to Doordash

With the exception of Mondays, if you schedule your delivery times around meals, especially lunch and dinner, any day of the week, you’ll make good money. If you want to give yourself a buffer, schedule your times an hour before and after the standard meal times to increase your earnings.

It’s a good idea to test your area out too. If you can deliver in an area with many businesses, you may find that lunch hours are the best times to DoorDash in your area. Business people often need lunch delivered to them and will tip well for the convenience of not having to leave the office.

Learn more in our full DoorDash Driver Review and How Much Can You Make From DoorDash in A Day.

Is Doordash Busy in the Morning?

You may wonder, is it worth it to DoorDash in the morning? All we've talked about so far is delivering at night and sometimes during lunchtime, especially during the week when business people need lunch delivered to them.

But don’t forget about the mornings, especially on Sundays. Brunch deliveries are a big deal in many areas too. Of course, test your area out to see if it’s the case. But if it is and you can work Sunday deliveries into your schedule, you have more options to work peak hours and make good DoorDash tips.

What Are the Best Days to Doordash?

Now that we talked about the best times to DoorDash, we’ll focus on the best days to DoorDash.

You probably already guessed that Friday and Saturday are great days to deliver, especially during dinner or late night shifts if you live in an area with a lot of restaurants open late, but Thursday through Sunday are usually the best days.

That doesn’t mean delivering during the week is a bad idea either, though. Except for Monday, most DoorDash drivers try to take as many shifts as possible as long as they are scheduled around lunch or dinnertime.

Tips To Make the Most Money on DoorDash

Making the most money on DoorDash isn’t as simple as scheduling yourself during busy times. It comes down to the service you provide and the promotions you can take advantage of that DoorDash offers.

Provide Great Customer Service

To maximize your tips, provide great customer service. Deliver food hot, communicate with the customer if there is an issue, and go out of your way to provide the customer with a great experience.

Here are a few ways to keep your customers happy:

• Keep a stash of napkins, straws, and plastic silverware (wrapped) on you. If the restaurant forgets to pack them, you can help your customers out, and they may tip you for the generosity.

• Be courteous. A smile and polite words go a long way with customers. Remember, DoorDash customers can rate you after the delivery, and they also have the chance to increase your tip then too.

Deliver During Peak Pay Times

In some areas, DoorDash will pay higher rates for peak times. Get used to when the peak times are in your area, and sign up for them to increase your earnings.

Join DoorDash Challenges

Occasionally, DoorDash runs challenges that, if you complete, will earn you more money. The challenges usually consist of completing a certain number of orders within a specific time period. 

Take Advantage of Guaranteed Earnings

Select Dashers may be eligible for guaranteed earnings, which guarantees a specific amount of money over a certain period. This doesn’t include tips, so you know how much you’ll make if you work the requested time period. Plus, if you give great service, you’ll earn tips.

Take Advantage of Early Scheduling

Did you know Dashers that schedule their shifts early get first dibs on the orders? If no one takes them, they go out to the drivers who used the “dash now” feature. It pays to plan ahead, plus you can get dibs on the hottest shifts.

Keep Up Your Acceptance Rate

DoorDash keeps track of how many orders you take and decline. If you have over an 80% acceptance rate, you can schedule your shifts early, getting access to the highest paying shifts. If your acceptance rate falls, you don’t get the first pick at shifts and may not make as much money driving for DoorDash.

Travel To Busier Areas

If the area you live in isn’t busy, consider traveling a town or two over to make more money. If the money is worth it, traveling a little bit may not be a bad idea. If you schedule yourself for a peak shift and work 4 hours or more, it can be more than worth your time.

The Final Word on the Best Times to Doordash

Play around with different shifts to find out the best times to DoorDash in your area. Typically it’s the weekends at lunch and dinnertime, but you may live in an area where weekday lunches are great or the late night shift is where it’s at.

No matter when you deliver for DoorDash, provide excellent customer service, keep up your acceptance rate, and take advantage of early scheduling to make the most of your side gig.