average doordash trip

How much does DoorDash pay? What about Uber Eats? Online food delivery compensation.

The global online food delivery market reached $189.7 billion  in 2021 and is only expected to grow, according to Grand View Research.

In the fourth quarter of the business year, DoorDash and Uber Eats both made impressive progress . DoorDash recorded all-time high order numbers, and Uber Eats turned a profit for the first time, according to Protocol — but which one company is better to work for?

Whether you’re a self-starter looking for ways to supplement your income or a customer wondering about your delivery worker’s wages, here’s the information you’re after.

Do you tip Uber and Lyft drivers?  Rideshare tipping and compensation explained.

Is Uber safe? What about Lyft?  Addressing safety concerns of passengers and drivers.

How much does DoorDash pay?

Dashers make a base pay between $2 and $10 per delivery , depending on factors such as duration, distance and desirability of the order, according to DoorDash. The company claims its drivers make approximately $25 per hour of work , including 100% of tips from customers.

Ridester reports drivers can expect to make between $10 and $25 per hour . Ridester emphasizes, though, that DoorDash drivers are responsible for their own vehicle expenses such as gas and maintenance, so Dashers do not pocket all of their earnings and tips.

The company also offers promotions which allow drivers to earn more money, including Peak Pay, Guaranteed Earnings and Challenge Bonuses .

How much do Uber drivers make?: That depends on where you drive

How much do Lyft drivers make?: What we know

How do DoorDash drivers get paid?

Dashers can choose to receive their pay a number of ways , according to the company. Options include a weekly direct deposit at no charge, a Fast Pay option which charges a $1.99 fee per daily withdrawal and a DasherDirect prepaid debit card which provides instant deposits with no fee after every delivery.

According to DoorDash, drivers can also opt into receiving cash on delivery orders.

How much does Uber Eats pay?

Uber Eats drivers, as of the summer of 2022, make an average of $9.37 per trip and $15.84 per hour , according to Gridwise. Like many rideshare drivers, Uber Eats drivers are also responsible for their own vehicle expenses.

How much to tip for DoorDash and Uber Eats

DoorDash and Uber Eats workers should always be tipped. The standard in the restaurant industry is 15 to 20% , according to Shopfood.   But Ridester says a minimum tip amount between $4 and $6 should be the norm on all orders; even a very cheap delivery may require the same driving or biking distance as a more expensive meal.

If your delivery driver has to endure inclement weather, that should also boost their tip. Ridester suggests rideshare drivers working in adverse weather conditions should be rewarded for their willingness to work when others are staying inside.

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Making Money With DoorDash: How to Start and What to Expect

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Drivers, known as Dashers, make money delivering food with DoorDash as independent contractors. The gig takes little time to start, pays frequently, offers flexible hours and could be a great way to make money without a traditional job . But earnings can fluctuate along with demand and delivery details.

Is becoming a Dasher the right choice for you? Here’s what to know about making money with DoorDash.

Where can you work as a Dasher?

DoorDash operates in more than 7,000 cities in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia and Japan. You can deliver in a location near where you live or in cities you visit.

» MORE: How to make money on Instagram

What are the requirements for delivering with DoorDash?

You don’t need prior delivery experience to sign up for DoorDash. However, you must:

Be at least 18 years old.

Have a car, motorcycle, scooter or bicycle (options may vary by location).

Have a valid driver’s license and insurance, if you drive.

Have a Social Security number.

Agree to a background check.

Have a smartphone with the DoorDash app.

If you satisfy these requirements, you can sign up for DoorDash and submit an application online. After delivering your first order as a Dasher, you can request a welcome kit. Download the DoorDash Driver app to complete the process.

How does DoorDash work for drivers?

After your application is approved (which usually takes three to seven days) and you finish setting up your profile, you can open the Driver app and schedule a shift or “dash” on a whim if the app shows drivers are needed at that time.

When you’re signed in to work, the DoorDash system will match you with orders. You’ll see details for each opportunity, such as the location and how much it pays. DoorDash gives you 45 seconds to accept or reject a delivery. If you accept, you’ll follow the instructions given in the app. Usually, that means simply traveling to the restaurant and providing the customer’s name, then picking up the order and dropping it off at the customer’s location. Repeat at your leisure.

» MORE: What is the gig economy?

How much do DoorDash drivers make?

Generally, Dashers get paid a guaranteed base rate from $2 to $10 (or more) for every order. Factors such as distance and the estimated time required determine the exact amount. On top of the base rate, Dashers can earn extra from tips and promotions, like “peak pay” during busy times. Drivers keep 100% of tips.

When getting paid per order, Dashers have the flexibility to accept or reject orders based on their earning potential, including the base rate and the size of the tip.

In some cities, Dashers have a second earning option, which DoorDash introduced in June 2023. At the start of a shift, Dashers can opt to earn an hourly rate that depends on the time of day and location. Dashers can see what the hourly rate is before choosing that earning mode.

Those choosing the hourly rate get paid for the time they spend on a delivery, beginning when they accept an order and ending when it's delivered. When working on multiple orders, the clock starts when the first order is accepted and stops when the last order is delivered. Dashers aren’t paid for time spent waiting for DoorDash to offer a new order to fulfill.

Like the traditional per-order earning model, Dashers getting paid an hourly rate can boost their earnings through tips and promotions. However, DoorDash says on its website that tips can be less frequent in “earn by time” mode and peak pay may not be available.

Unlike the traditional earning model, Dashers who opt for the hourly rate can’t evaluate the earning potential of each order before deciding to accept or reject it. They can decline or unassign only one order per hour. Rejecting more than that ends earn-by-time mode, but Dashers can switch back to payment per order.

So how much money do Dashers generally make? The average hourly pay for DoorDash drivers in the U.S. is about $19, according to ZipRecruiter, an online job marketplace.

If you’re considering delivering for DoorDash, be aware that there are costs involved. For example, Dashers must pay for gas, tolls and vehicle maintenance out of their own pockets. As an independent contractor , you’ll also need to budget for taxes and insurance. DoorDash provides up to $1 million of liability insurance, but coverage applies only when there’s an order in your car. Consider purchasing rideshare insurance for extra protection.

How long does it take to make money with DoorDash?

You can make money fast by delivering for DoorDash. Most Dashers start earning money within a few days of signing up, according to the company. How quickly you pocket that money depends on the payout method you choose.

If you stick with the standard option, you’ll get paid weekly by direct deposit for deliveries completed Monday through Sunday of the previous week. Payments typically take two to three days to land in your bank account. Eligible Dashers can use Fast Pay to transfer earnings to a debit card daily, for a $1.99 fee. A third option: Apply for a DasherDirect account and get your daily earnings deposited to a prepaid debit card with no fee.

How can you make more money with DoorDash?

The more deliveries you make, the more money you’ll make. But that’s easier said than done. DoorDash offers a few tips and tricks for increasing your earnings:

Deliver during peak times when DoorDash pays extra. The lunch and dinner hours are usually the busiest.

Seek out hot spots. You’ll see a heat map in the Dasher app that highlights areas with more orders available.

Pick up batched orders, which are multiple orders along the same route.

Communication, punctuality and ensuring you have the correct order go a long way with customers — and can help you earn a higher rating and tips.

DoorDash isn’t the only company that will pay you to deliver goods. Learn about making money with similar services, such as Amazon Flex , Instacart and Uber Eats .

If you'd rather transport people, learn how to become a Lyft driver or Uber driver.

Ridesharing Driver

See how much DoorDash drivers make: Pay ranging from $1900/week to $3 orders

By Doug H , Updated February 24, 2022 34 Comments

Note: This page contains affiliate links for DoorDash

Being a delivery driver for gig apps like DoorDash can be a feast or famine.

With no guaranteed pay ( except in California ) and unpredictable markets, drivers can see wild highs one day followed by depressing lows the next.

After fending off $2–$3 minimum payout orders, you might see a unicorn with a $20+ dollar tip.

Or you could have an incredible $30 per hour weekly to make $12 per hour the next. The larger question is, how much can you make with DoorDash?

Pay can vary quite a bit from order to order and day to day. Check out the highs and lows of DoorDash, shared from real driver earnings.

Then, stick around until the end of the article to learn how to boost your earnings and avoid the lowest-paying orders.

Want more data? See the top online data about DoorDash driver pay .

The best DoorDash driver pay: $50 orders and $1900 per week

Drivers call them unicorns: Rarely seen, these huge orders usually have high base pay from DoorDash and a generous tip from the customer.

Below is a $50 unicorn: Huge base pay of $19 and a massive $28 tip.

Credit jjfhm on Reddit

And here’s a $73 order for only a 5 mile drive.

Credit Temporary-Guest3325 on Reddit

A big payout usually comes from the tip, but sometimes the base pay is the most lucrative. For example, here’s a $13 base pay. Typical base pay is around $5.

Credit MyNameIsLucid on Reddit

Here are strong weekly earnings: Around $25 per hour on 50 hours. That’s a great gig economy income, but typically you can only achieve something like that in a large, busy market.

Credit LiveFastBeGreat on Reddit

And now, for the highest highs of weekly pay.

This hard-working Dasher clocked weekly pay of over $1900 .

But note that they put in major hours: Around 75 hours per week, for a gross pay of around $25 per hour. So it’s possible, but you have to grind.

Credit RunConnorBack on Reddit

The lowest driver pay: $3 orders and $12 per hour

You might see orders paying as low as $3 if base pay from DoorDash is low and customers don’t tip.

Remember: You are free to decline any order. The DoorDash deactivation policy states that a low acceptance rating won’t get you deactivated, so you can skip the $3 orders if you want to.

But in some slower markets, Dashers don’t always have the luxury to pick and choose.

Low base pay + no tip is a bad combo for Dashers. Check out these two sub $4 orders. One is for a 10-mile trip!

Credit jmh30US on Reddit

Credit Taty97 on Reddit

Moving on to weekly pay. The payout below works out to $12 per hour after 40 hours. Not the worst, but not the strongest.

Credit Romeo_Horse on Reddit

What is average driver pay on DoorDash? Examples of more ‘typical’ pay

The $50 unicorns and $3 base-pay orders might be worth screenshotting and sharing online, but they don’t necessarily represent average earnings.

When the highs and lows average out on DoorDash, expect around $15 per hour.

• See the latest data on DoorDash pay

This Dasher below clocked $17 per hour on 40 hours of work. That is not bad at all for a flexible gig like DoorDash.

Credit CRomanOrlando on Reddit

Here’s a Dasher who earned around $24 per hour on 25 hours of work. That is is well above average for earnings.

Credit Any_Seaworthiness_28 on Reddit

$523 for 25 hours of work is a solid part-time income. That is what many gig workers hope to get from DoorDash and other delivery gigs.

Credit LACchi on Reddit

How to boost your DoorDash earnings and avoid low pay

$50 unicorn orders are mostly a matter of luck, but there are things you can do to consistently average more than the typical Dasher and avoid the lowest-paying orders.

Cherry pick! Don’t accept low-paying orders: You are free to decline any order that comes in. There is no minimum acceptance rating.

That means you can sit and reject as many orders as you want until something with decent pay comes along. Drivers call it cherry picking, a very effective way to avoid the lowest-paying orders.

Aim for at least $1 per mile: A general rule of thumb among top-earning dashers is that a good order will pay about $1 for each mile you have to drive.

On an order request, you can quickly do the math to see if an order is worth it. A $4 order for 8 miles is less than $1 per mile and isn’t worth it to many Dashers. But if an order is $5 and only 1 mile, it’s worth it.

Learn your market and avoid bad hours: After a few weeks of Dashing, you’ll begin to see which hours are lucrative.

In most areas, the lunch and dinner rush are the best hours, but you might find that lunch hours aren’t as good as you would expect or that the best dinner hours are actually early/later than you expected.

Try driving during Peak Pay and Challenges: Peak Pay can significantly increase your earnings. On the flip side, some Dashers say that Peak Pay decreases earnings because it brings too many other Dashers out onto the road. Experiment with Peak Pay in your area to see if it’s worth it or not.

Get Early Access scheduling: To guarantee that you can work the best hours, you need to get Early Access scheduling . Dashers with Early Access can grab hours at 3pm every day, while those without Early Access have to wait until midnight.

The best part about Early Access is that there is no minimum acceptance rating requirement, so you can still get Early Access even if you cherry pick orders.

About Doug H

Gig economy driver, writer, and expert since 2013. I created Ridesharing Driver to help drivers navigate all of the challenges we face in the on-demand world! Read more about my story!

September 14, 2023 at 12:09 pm

DoorDash is a scam after working 45 hours a week in Louisiana you’re only able to make $540 a week.

September 26, 2023 at 4:01 am

find different city. Milwaukee is about $25/hr and Wilminton NC i made around $30/hr. It would not be worth it to make $12/hr,

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Side Hustles, Making Money Online, & Finance

Does DoorDash Track Mileage? – What Delivery Drivers Need To Know

Posted on June 27, 2023 - Tom Blake - This post may contain affiliate links that compensate us if you click or sign up. Please read our affiliate disclaimer for more information.

If you're currently driving for DoorDash or are thinking about becoming a driver, you probably know that you have some expenses to account for.

You can make great money doing DoorDash , but DoorDash doesn't pay for gas , and you're also on the hook for things like vehicle repairs and depreciation.

But, if you could track your DoorDash mileage and potentially save money at tax time, that would help out with a lot of your food delivery expenses.

So, does DoorDash track mileage? Or better yet, should you start tracking it on your own to ultimately save money when filing taxes? Take a look at some of these tips!

Looking for other money-making ideas? Checkout :

• Uber Eats : Make money on your own schedule with Uber Eats!
• Branded Surveys : Share your opinion to earn PayPal cash and gift cards!

Table of Contents

Does DoorDash Track Miles?

DoorDash provides a general estimate of how many miles you drive per year. However, it doesn’t do a great job at tracking your mileage perfectly, so you might miss-out on some of the miles you drive if you just rely on its estimates instead of tracking things yourself.

This is because DoorDash only tracks the mileage estimates on orders. But this doesn't include extra mileage if you take an alternate route or the miles you might drive between orders.

However, according to DoorDash : “Whether you’re in the US or in Canada, you may be able to deduct expenses from your earnings and only pay taxes on the remaining amount. If you keep track of things like your mileage and vehicle costs, this could add up to substantial savings.”

So, it's important to track your DoorDash mileage, but you won't have much luck if you just rely on your Dasher app.

This is the frustrating nature of many gig apps , and other delivery gigs like Instacart don't track mileage either.

Thankfully, you can still figure out how to track your DoorDash mileage so you can maximize your savings when filing your income taxes and looking for potential deductions!

Why Should You Track DoorDash Mileage?

There are numerous DoorDash expenses you might be able to write off in your tax return as an independent contractor, including :

• Vehicle repair costs
• DoorDash mileage
• Car insurance
• Tolls and parking fees
• Your phone and phone plan
• Accounting and banking costs relating to DoorDash

Of course, repairs and mileage are the two main categories here for potential savings.

After all, if you spend hundreds or thousands of dollars per year on gas while driving for DoorDash, you should try to write those expenses off.

According to the IRS , the standard business mileage rate is $0.655 per mile in 2023 .  That money adds up when your main job is DoorDash and you’ve been working for an entire year.

Plus, you should track your business income and expenses  anyway  since the IRS requires you to keep track of your records anyways, in the case that they need proof from auditing you.

How to Track Miles For DoorDash

There are three main ways to track DoorDash mileage :

• Use A Mile Tracking App
• Create A Mileage Log Book
• Look Through Previous DoorDash Orders

My favorite method for any driving app that pays is to use a mileage tracking app since it handles everything automatically. And DoorDash actually recommends using Everlance and gives you 20% off its premium plan if you sign up with the code ‘EVERDASH.'

The video above covers how to track DoorDash mileage with an app like Everlance. But I'll explain how each of these DoorDash mileage tracking tips works down below.

1. Use A DoorDash Mileage Tracking App

One of the easiest ways to track your DoorDash mileage is to use a mileage tracking app that automatically tracks how many miles you drive for DoorDash deliveries.

DoorDash recommends using the Everlance app and actually partners with this mileage tracker.

The app helps you automatically track mileage, business expenses, and saves time since you don't have to manually log your DoorDash miles yourself.

Plus, Dashers can get three months of Everlance premium for free, so there's a compelling argument to use this mileage tracking app.

Here are the subscription prices for Everlance :

• Free : Tracks 30 automatic trips per month.
• Premium : $8/month or $5/month when paid annually. Tracks unlimited automatic trips.
• Premium Plus : $12/month or $10/month when paid annually. Includes individual training and an account manager.

However, there are several other DoorDash mileage trackers you can use to track how much you drive like :

Most of these apps run in the background as you drive for work. Many of them also include automatic reports which can be directly inputted into your taxes.

Tracking your miles like this is probably the easiest way to manage your driving expenses in the long run without manually inputting numbers.

Plus, these apps also work for other delivery gigs like Uber Eats and working for Instacart , so they're quite versatile!

2. Create A DoorDash Mileage Log Book

Another way to track your DoorDash mileage is just to create a logbook where you manually enter all of your delivery distances while you're on a shift.

If you don't want to use technology or a mileage tracking app, this could be the best solution to try.

A DoorDash mileage log book is also simple : it’s essentially a book that has sections such as date, odometer before, odometer after, total mileage, and notes.

You can manually track your mileage after each trip and add special notes that you normally wouldn’t be able to with an app.

Of course, manual tracking in a log book takes way more effort, but it’s a worthy option for those who want a more personalized feel.

You can grab a mileage log book on Amazon for around $5 – $10 and they’ll last you the entire year or more.

Most of the books are also small enough that you can fit into a glove box. You can tally up your miles while you’re on the move this way.

Pro Tip : Just remember to keep your gas receipts so you can also claim them on your tax return and have more proof that just your mileage book!

3. Look Through Your Previous DoorDash Orders

If you go into your delivery history on the DoorDash app, you can view previous orders that outline how much you made along with the distance driven per delivery.

So, you can track your DoorDash mileage by looking at all of your deliveries for a day and adding up the total mileage per trip.

This gives a fairly accurate number for how far you drive for DoorDash, but again, it takes more effort than using a mileage tracking app.

Just remember : tracking DoorDash mileage this way doesn't include any extra miles you drive between orders or to start and end your shift.

You can also combine this step with the step above (getting a mileage log book) and track your miles from your previous orders into the book.

This is probably the most tedious way to track your mileage on DoorDash, but if you’re already falling behind on tax season, it might be a good choice to catch up using some historical data.

In summary, use the apps to prevent tedious work in the future and use the manual ways to catch up on previous orders.

Other Ways To Save Money On DoorDash Mileage

Saving on taxes by claiming your gig economy mileage during tax time is one of the best ways to save money as a delivery driver.

But, figuring out other ways to save money on DoorDash fuel expenses also helps keep more money in your pocket.

Take a look at some of these extra tips to help you save money on DoorDash mileage…

1. Use Rewards Apps

Nowadays, there are  so  many reward apps that let you save money on everyday spending, from groceries to refuelling at the pump.

For starters, you can try the Upside app to earn cash-back rewards on your gas expenses.

In a nutshell, GetUpside shows you offers for nearby gas stations that can save you around $0.25 per gallon.

All you have to do is claim cash-back gas offers within the GetUpside app, refuel, and upload a picture of your receipt to the app to get cash back.

There are other receipt-scanning apps that also let you earn free gift cards and PayPal cash for uploading a variety of shopping receipts, including ones for fuel :

• Receipt Hog – Let's you earn free Amazon gift cards and PayPal cash.
• Pogo – Turn your shopping trips into cash and earn everytime you shop!
• ReceiptPal – Another receipt-scanning app that accepts gas receipts.
• CoinOut – One of the lower paying receipt-scanning apps, but there's no minimum withdrawal amount and every receipt is valid.
• Checkout 51 – A leading grocery and gas rewards app that lets you cash out through check.

None of these apps will save a lot of money on DoorDash gas, but every penny counts!

Extra Reading – Best Reward Apps Like Fetch Rewards .

2. Drive A Fuel Efficient Vehicle

A car with a poor mpg ratio is going to negatively impact your expenses over the long run.

So, if you plan on starting to deliver for DoorDash and will likely drive a lot, it's worth looking for a fuel efficient vehicle if you happen to be on the market for a new ride.

My friend drives for food delivery companies all the time and he’s never complained about his earnings being affected too much by gas. But, he leases a Prius! Go figure!

The point is, the less fuel that has to be used, the less money that needs to leave your pockets.

Some Dashers pay off their entire lease and then some with a fuel efficient vehicle. That’s also calculated after necessary vehicle expenses.

Extra Reading – How To Make $1,000 A Week With Uber Eats .

3. Use Fuel Rewards Programs & Cash-Back Credit Cards

Some of the most popular gas stations in your area have fuel rewards programs and you may have never heard of them.

This is usually because you need to download their app and sign up for the program, which no one really does when they need to fill up.

Here are a few popular gas station rewards programs you can try :

• Exxon Mobil Rewards +
• Shell Fuel Rewards
• Speedy Rewards Program

A lot of these companies give you discounts or cash back for filling up at their stations. Additionally, you can use a gas rewards credit card to earn rewards when you fill up.

For example, cards like the Amex Blue Cash Preferred or the BOA Cash Rewards credit card offer 3% cashback on gas stations.

Extra Reading – 15 Best DoorDash Driver Tips & Tricks .

4. Use Dasher Rewards

To help drivers make more money, DoorDash has rolled out its Dasher rewards program that provides perks like discounts on Everlance, TurboTax, and Stride.

However, the program also has a range of fuel and vehicle related perks, including :

• A $20 credit to CarAdvise for maintenance
• Fuel rewards and savings at Shell
• 30% off the purchase of a Dirwin e-bike
• 2% cash back on gas with the DasherDirect card

Tracking DoorDash mileage is the best way to save money at tax time. But you can use these discounts to save money on fuel and maintenance throughout the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do i do if i forgot to track my doordash mileage.

DoorDash sends Dashers an email when it's approaching tax season with an estimate of how many miles they drove for that year. So, if you forgot to track mileage throughout the year, you can rely on this estimate for a starting point.

However, it's important to build good habits and track mileage on your own. This is why using mileage tracking apps or your own spreadsheet is important.

Even a simple Google spreadsheet where you enter your daily DoorDash mileage can work, as long as you're consistent!

What's The Best Mileage Tracker For DoorDash?

Everyone has their own preference for mile trackers, but I really like Hurdlr and Everlance. However, there are numerous free options on the Google and Apple app stores you can use, and a simple paper or online spreadsheet is best if you want to avoid paying for an app.

Extra Reading – How To Make $500 A Week With DoorDash .

How Do I Track Other Expenses & Income?

With gig economy jobs, you're an independent contractor. This means you have to track your own income and business expenses, like mileage, to properly file when it's tax season.

There's plenty of tax and bookkeeping software out there that you can turn to, like QuickBooks or FreshBooks. I also like apps like Everlance since they handle all of your mileage and income tracking automatically.

For example, Everlance helps you log all of your eligible business expenses automatically, like fuel and vehicle repairs. It also tracks your DoorDash income for you.

I still suggest working with an accountant if you have questions. But there's plenty of software out there that can help simplify your life.

Final Thoughts

So, does DoorDash keep track of mileage? No, it doesn't, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.

You can take advantage of those tax benefits and save money where you can on gas, depreciation, and repairs. Every little bit counts when it comes to side hustling , so the extra effort is worth it!

Find the best way to track your DoorDash mileage that works for you and you’ll be saving money in no time!

It’s easy, passive, and has tools to help you during tax season! Happy driving!

Looking for other gig economy jobs to make money? Checkout these posts :

• DoorDash vs Grubhub Pay – What's Best For Drivers?
• The Best Delivery Jobs Like Instacart .

Daniel is a 22 year old blogger from Los Angeles with a huge love for everything entrepreneurship, finance, and investing. When he's not blogging at Modern Teen , you can catch him playing volleyball, shooting archery, or finding new ways to make money.

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How Much Does Doordash Pay its Dashers? Understanding the Pay Model

Posted on Published: May 10, 2022  - Last updated: August 25, 2023

What can you expect to earn delivering for Doordash ? How much money does Doordash pay? Is there a salary range to help you figure out if signing up for Doordash delivery makes sense?

One viral video TikTok showed weekly full-time earnings of as much as $1,900. On the opposite end of the spectrum, some have claimed that Dashers only get $1.45 per hour.

Which is true?

Both can be true. Both can be way off. There are so many many factors involved that it's impossible to give a single number and say “this is what you will make.”

Anyone who tells you otherwise is either misinformed or lying to you.

Here's what I can tell you: As a Dasher you have more control over what you can earn than you might think.

How much does Doordash pay Dashers? In the end, it depends.

The best way to get a feel for how much you can make on Doordash is to understand how Doordash drivers get paid. We'll dig into how the pay model works and then how it can work for you. Read on and we'll talk about:

How much does it pay to be a Doordash driver?

Six factors that impact doordash driver earnings, how to use those factors to improve your dasher pay.

• Is Doordash pay fulltime or part time?
• Frequently questions on how much Doordash pays

One thing I should note: This article is about the typical pay for Doordash delivery drivers in the United States. We'll talk further down about some exceptions, either due to local laws or because the food delivery service is testing a feature.

We'll link to articles that go into more detail on different concepts. At the end of this article is a list of other posts in our Doordash driver series

The most important thing to understand in this whole discussion is that a food delivery driver for Doordash is not an employee.

We are independent contractors.

What that means is that we're providing services as a business. We are paid on a delivery by delivery basis, meaning we're trading tasks for money instead of time.

As an independent contractor, there is no guarantee. State or Federal minimum wage does not apply. There is no hourly wage or salary. You're also on your own for expenses. A realistic understanding of pay takes the cost of using your car and other expenses into account..

Job sites like Indeed and Glassdoor often throw out pay figures of $14 to $17 per hour. The problem with those is that it's all self-reported income. However, because pay isn't by the hour, those estimates are not often accurate.

But here's the beauty of delivering for Doordash: You are free to determine whether or not you will accept any delivery offer that Doordash sends your way. In fact, their own Independent Contractor Agreement states that accepting and rejecting deliveries is a way that you can negotiate your price as a contractor.

What does this mean?

It means you're running a business. It means you need an entirely different mindset. And, it means you have a lot of control over how much you can make.

When you run a business, you have no guarantees. There are things about your market that will impact what you can make. However, you have a choice about how you handle those factors.

Doordash drivers are paid on a delivery by delivery basis. When you complete a delivery, you are paid for that particular delivery.

Pay for a delivery is made up of:

• A delivery fee, paid by Doordash
• Incentive or bonus pay from Doordash

Customer tips

Here's how it works in a nutshell: Doordash will send a delivery offer to you on the Doordash driver app (known as the Dasher app). It will give you information about where you're delivering, how far you might drive, and a minimum amount of money you will be paid.

It's like this: The food delivery service Doordash is coming to you and saying “I'll give you this much money to complete this delivery.” You can decide to accept that pay or say no thanks.

When you accept a delivery and complete it, you get paid. The number of deliveries you accept and complete, and the payment you receive for those deliveries ultimately determine how much you earn.

While we're not paid an hourly wage, I do still believe that the best way to measure your pay is to look at the hourly average profit. We'll talk about that more when we look at expenses (the sixth factor in this section).

We'll look deeper at the three pay elements I mentioned, as well as three other factors that impact what you can make. The following factors determine how much drivers make delivering for Doordash:

• The Doordash base pay or delivery fee
• Doordash incentives such as Peak Pay

Market conditions where you deliver

The doordash delivery fee.

Doordash pays a delivery fee for each delivery. By their description, base pay ranges between $2 and $10 depending on time, distance and desirability. (You may notice that I use base pay and delivery fee interchangeably)

Base pay is DoorDash’s base contribution for each order. This will range from $2-10+ depending on the estimated time, distance, and desirability of the order. Deliveries that require Dashers to travel a longer distance, that are expected to take more time, and that are less popular with Dashers will have a higher base pay. Base pay will not change based on the customer tip amount. Doordash description of Base Pay .

On most deliveries, you can expect the delivery fee to be between $2 and $4. I did a recent experiment to see if Doordash gave better offers to Top Dashers where I accepted 200 straight delivery offers, 78% of those deliveries had a delivery fee of four dollars or less. The average base rate on those deliveries was $3.18.

The minimum pay is $2.00. In practice that's usually only paid on deliveries where more than one order is delivered at a time. As of the original writing of this article (May 2022) Doordash has typically paid a minimum of $2.50 on single orders. Doordash dropped the minimum base pay from $3 in August 2021.

Desirability can be the biggest wild card in Doordash driver pay, as well as the biggest unknown. If Doordash has trouble getting drivers to accept a delivery, they may use the lack of desirability as a reason to bump up the delivery fee.

Doordash Incentives (Peak Pay, Challenges, Guaranteed Earnings)

Here's the thing about using independent contractors: Doordash can't assign deliveries to you. They cannot require you to accept offers. A company is not allowed by law to control your work as an independent contractor or determine what work you will perform.

This creates a problem for Doordash. What if busy times mean there are more orders than drivers? Doordash solves this by offering incentives to encourage drivers to deliver during peak hours and unexpected busy periods.

The most common incentive from Doordash is Peak Pay. Doordash pays an extra bonus, per delivery, to Dashers in a particular zone at a particular time. Sometimes it's scheduled for anticipated peak times, and others it's adjusted on the fly (such as in bad weather).

The home screen on the mobile app for Dashers has a map of the delivery zones in the area. If there is Peak Pay available, Doordash shows the peak pay offers on the map.

You can also tap the Promos tab on the app and see a list of scheduled Peak Pay promotions.

Doordash also offers challenges and guarantees. You may receive a bonus or guarantee if you complete a certain amount of deliveries in a time frame. Doordash may guarantee a certain total pay if you meet a criteria, and if what you earned is less than the guarantee, they make up the difference.

One such guaranteed pay offer is a sign on bonus for new drivers who are guaranteed an amount if they complete so many deliveries in their first several weeks.

Customers are asked to add a tip when placing their order. The customer tip is included with the peak pay and delivery fee on the offer screen when you get a Doordash delivery offer.

Doordash states that Dashers receive all tips that are paid through Doordash.

The amount that customers tip often makes or breaks a delivery and whether that trip was worth taking. There's a lot more range in customer tip amounts than in the base pay.

This is why it's critical for Dashers to understand their ability and right to accept and reject delivery offers. The thing is, the delivery fee is usually so low that most deliveries don't pay enough to cover the time and expenses involved. The tip is the wildcard that often determines whether or not a delivery is worthwhile.

Doordash does not always display the entire amount you will be paid. For instance, if a customer is tipping $10 and the delivery fee is $2 for a total of $12, Doordash may only display an $8.00 payment on the offer screen. Dashers often call this hidden tips . As a result, total pay may actually end up higher than what Doordash states.

I'm finding that hidden tips happen such a small percentage of the time that it's still better to make decisions based on what Doordash displays, rather than rolling the dice thinking there MAY be a hidden tip.

The first three factors: delivery fee, incentives and tips, determine pay for a particular delivery. These next three have more to do with how many deliveries you can complete.

It's important to remember that just because someone does well on Doordash in one city, it's not a guarantee that one can have the same kind of success in a different market.

The city or part of the country you are in can make a difference in how many opportunities you get and what kind of opportunities are available.

Even the particular part of a city makes a difference. I make more downtown than in certain suburbs.

There are really four main things that are impacted by where you are:

• Frequency of delivery opportunities
• The type of local restaurants in a market
• Driver saturation
• Tipping behavior

Doordash has a larger share of the delivery market in some cities than in others. According to Statista , in April 2021 Doordash had 74% of the San Francisco market but only 31% of the Miami market. If you're in a smaller community with fewer restaurants, that can meant there are fewer delivery opportunities.

Some areas have a higher concentration of fast food restaurants, and others might have more higher end restaurants. Customers often tip based on the value of the food, so the type of restaurant can make a big difference in what you get.

A major issue can be whether there are more Dashers available than delivery orders. Such driver saturation can lead to fewer delivery opportunities.

Finally, some parts of the country seem to tip better than others . When tipping is such an important piece of the earnings puzzle on Doordash, that makes a difference.

Sometimes the conditions of your market can be the thing that decides whether Dashing is a profitable opportunity.

I believe that the amount of time it takes to complete a delivery is the most important AND the most overlooked factor in how well you can earn.

When dining out was cut back at the start of the pandemic, my average hourly earnings skyrocketed. The average pay and tip was about the same. The one major difference was how many deliveries I could complete in an hour. Traffic was gone, parking was no longer an issue, deliveries were fast.

I've tracked my earnings for four years, and each year the average hourly rate has climbed. Delivery pay actually has dropped quite a bit in that time. The one factor that has improved at the same rate was the average time to complete a delivery.

Think about it: If the average delivery pay is eight dollars, three deliveries an hour pays $24 compared to $32 if you complete four per hour.

This is why I think it's the most overlooked factor: Very few Dashers take the estimated time into account when deciding if they should take a delivery. What looks like a good paying offer that takes a long time can pay far less per hour that completing several shorter lower paying deliveries.

Let's go back to the thing I said earlier: As an independent contractor you are running a business.

Business income isn't measured by how much money is coming in. Actual earnings for a business are the profits. It's all about what's left over after expenses.

Most delivery drivers have a very significant expense that they don't often think about: Use of their car. That cost goes far beyond gas and oil. Every mile is a mile closer to major costs such as tire replacement, timing chain work, brake jobs, etc.

What that means is, every mile costs money beyond just gas. It's important to understand the overall cost of using your car so you can understand what it's costing to perform a delivery.

The ultimate measurement for whether any week, day, month, or individual delivery has been good is your profit per hour. I usually calculate my overall cost at about 30 cents per mile, and subtract that from my earnings.

A twenty dollar delivery looks great. But if it requires driving 30 miles out and back, at 30 cents a mile that's $9.00 in cost, meaning the delivery actually paid only $11.00. All of a sudden that's not so great.

However you measure your cost per mile, whether it's the IRS standard allowance per mile or your calculation of actual costs, there's an important reality. The more you drive, the less you have less in your pocket as a result.

My formula for profit per hour is this: Total Earnings minus 30 cents per mile = profit. Profit divided by total hours on deliveries = profit per hour.

As much as I've said this, it's worth repeating again:

As an independent contractor for Doordash, you are running a business. If you treat this like a business, you dramatically increase your earning potential.

You have the ability to make your own decisions, set your own hours and determine how to operate your business. I believe you have more influence over what you can make than any pay formula Doordash puts together could have.

There are several ways to make more on Doordash . In the article linked, we wrote about 63 tips, but they all fell under four major suggestions:

Treat this like a business

• Find ways to increase earnings

Avoid losing money

Deliver more quickly.

You can read that article for more in depth ideas, tips and tricks. However, I want to look at each of the main four ideas in light of the six earnings factors that were listed earlier.

There's a lot of debate out there about whether Doordash is exploiting workers by signing them on as independent contractors. I believe they are exploiting the use of contractors in a lot of ways. However, because we are independent contractors, WE have the power to make sure we're not exploited.

The best way to avoid exploitation is to embrace the idea that you're running a business and to claim the rights of business ownership for yourself.

If I wanted to sum that up in two statements, it would be this:

• Remember that you're the boss, Doordash is not.
• Treat Doordash as your customer, not your employer

And here's how that applies to the factors above: Think of Doordash delivery offers as bids for your services.

Think of delivery offers as bids for your services.

If you ran a high end restaurant and someone came in insisting they only pay three dollars for your Prime Rib dinner, no one in their right mind thinks you have any duty to accept that offer. Think of delivery offers the same way.

Look at your acceptance and rejection of offers as a business decision rather than an assignment by an employer. That will give you greater control over your earnings.

You get a lot further if you treat this as your own delivery business instead of just a delivery job.

Set your price and expand revenue sources.

The first thing I would tell you to do is set your own price. You do that by accepting and declining offers.

More than that: Don't just look at the dollar amount. Look at the bigger picture and set your price based on how much a delivery pays for the time you put into it.

I've found the best way to do that is to estimate what a delivery will pay per minute. At the time of this writing, my price is 50 cents per minute ($30 per hour). If a delivery offer is five dollars, I ask myself if I can get it done in ten minutes. If it's a $15 delivery, I need to be done within a half hour.

What I found a long time ago was, when I started setting a price, my earnings became much more consistent. I didn't have as many peaks and valleys as far as hourly earnings.

If a Doordash offer doesn't meet your price, let it go.

But the other part of it, when it comes to running like a business and seeing Doordash as your customer is this: If Doordash isn't offering enough for your services, someone else probably will. If you expand your opportunities, you're more likely to find a customer who meets your price.

Too many people make the mistake of thinking either or. “I'm not making enough on Doordash so I'll quit them and try Uber Eats or Grubhub.”

It's not either/or. It's both/and. One of the worst business decisions you can make is to have only one customer.

Sometimes the decisions you make can cost you more money than what you make.

This is where expenses really come into play.

Think about the costs related to providing deliveries. There are tools you may have to purchase to help you Dash better. Factor the cost of driving your car into your delivery acceptance decisions. If a fifteen mile delivery costs five dollars in vehicle costs to complete, it doesn't make sense to accept it if it at less than cost.

There's a bigger picture here as well. Don't make decisions that will get in the way of your ability to earn. That's known as opportunity costs.

If you don't make sure you have the right insurance as a Dasher and your car gets totaled, you may not have the money to get your car repaired. In fact the cost of the repair could be far greater than you earn, especially if you only do this as a side hustle.

The same thing is true with car maintenance. If your car needs major repair and you don't have the money, you not only are stuck with the repair costs, but without a car you can't make more money.

If you drive a lot for business, set money aside each week for future car expenses. I put 30 cents per mile into a car fund, then pay for my maintenance and fuel costs out of that fund. Doing so also means I have the money available when I need the big ticket items such as new tires or brakes.

The bottom line is, treating your delivery work as a business means taking some financial responsibility. Make good decisions both in what offers you accept, and in what you do with your money. That will protect you from losing more than you bring in.

While we can't control the customer's tip or even Doordash's pay model, we CAN control how quickly we work. Completing more deliveries per hour means higher pay per hour.

In my first few months as a driver, I was averaging 1.9 deliveries per day. Now it's more than 3 per hour. Basically I gave myself a 63% pay raise.

There are a lot of things you can do to improve delivery time, including:

• Paying more attention to how long a delivery offer will last (saying no more often to longer trips)
• Improved driving patterns
• Learning where to park
• Figuring out how to improve turnaround time in restaurants (appearance and professionalism are huge in this area)
• Communication with the customer to head off delays in the handoff.

Is Doordash full-time job or part time?

Remember that this isn't a job. That might sound nitpicky, but it's important because pay is on a delivery by delivery basis.

The flexible ability to set your own schedule makes Doordash a great part time gig. It's ideal for a second income on top of another job, a way to pay off debt, or to get extra income to save for something you may never have afforded in the past. It's a fantastic way to get extra cash.

It is also very possible to make Doordash delivery a fulltime thing .

I've delivered in the gig economy for several years. The reality is it pays much better than my previous job as a business manager for a non-profit organization.

Personally, I work with several customers including Doordash. I do know of some who do well at this fulltime delivering exclusively for Doordash.

Being self-employed, no one is limiting the hours you can work. If you need extra money, you can work the extra hours.

If you choose to deliver full-time , I highly recommend that you really take serious this idea of operating it as a business. (By following that link, you can see several tips for full time delivery contractors.)

Wrapping up: How much do Doordash Drivers make?

It all depends.

Obviously, amount per delivery is a factor.

Even more, it depends on what you put into it. Your decisions matter. Did you make profitable decisions about what to accept? And how quickly can you get things done?

Delivering for Doordash and other food delivery services (and package delivery services as well) can be better paying than a lot of side gigs out there. Sometimes it's better than a lot of full time options.

If you're not careful, if you choose the wrong deliveries, or your market just doesn't provide enough options to keep you busy enough, it may not pay all that well.

I won't tell you that you'll definitely make $1,900 per week. In the right place with the right amount of effort, it's possible. I won't tell you that you'll crash and burn, either.

My advice is, don't look at this as a job opportunity with a set wage. The numbers are too inconsistent. Evaluate it as a business opportunity: What's the potential for you in your area?

Dashers are self-employed . It's really up to you how you run your business. Sometimes a business model doesn't work in your market.

Does Doordash pay enough to make it worthwhile? My review of Doordash as a Driver comes down to this in a nutshell: If you're setting your price, deciding the best times to Dash , and opening things up to other customers, you might be surprised at how well Doordash can pay.

Frequently questions about how much money Doordash pays

How much does Doordash pay per hour?

Does doordash have an hourly guarantee or contribution.

• Are there any instances where Doordash pays hourly?
• Should I measure hourly time in Dash time or active time?

What is the average Doordash salary for drivers?

How much does doordash pay per mile, what does doordash pay per delivery, how much can you make per week on doordash, how much can you earn per month on doordash, can you make six figures yearly delivering for doordash.

• Does Doordash work as a fulltime gig?
• How is the base pay determined?
• Is Doordash base pay reduced when customers tip well?

Is Dasher pay based on the customer's delivery fees?

Can dashers influence base pay.

• How Does Acceptance Rate Impact Doordash earnings?

Do Doordash customers tip well?

Can dashers tell how much the tip is, does doordash steal tips, does doordash hide tips.

• Can the customer change the tip after delivery?

How does Doordash pay its drivers?

How often does doordash pay dashers, what day is payday for doordash drivers, does doordash charge drivers a percentage or service fee, does doordash pay extra for gas.

Doordash does not have an hourly pay rate. Doordash pays by the delivery.

You can measure your performance by your hourly average. I believe that's a good practice as it lets you see how certain days, weeks, or even individual deliveries compare to one another.

Hourly earnings or averages vary widely, depending on several factors. The offers you accept and how quickly you complete them makes a difference.

My profit per hour has often been over $30 per hour. Some will tell you their hourly rate falls below minimum wage. Ultimately, it depends on you, your decisions, and your market.

Doordash does not have an hourly guaranteed amount in their general pay structure. Unlike Grubhub, Doordash does not provide and additional contribution to meet an hourly minimum.

Are there any instances where Doordash does pay hourly?

There are a few exceptions depending on location. Some cities are requiring a minimum hourly rate. Proposition 22 in California requires Doordash to pay a minimum based on time on deliveries and the number of miles driven. Other cities and states may impose hourly minimums as well.

As of May, 2022 Doordash is testing an hourly pay concept in Lansing Michigan . Dashers can choose whether to earn by the order or by time. Those who choose a time pay model get $14 per active hour plus tips. Time between deliveries does not count. Dashers getting hourly pay can only reject one offer per hour.

I have no idea how long they will continue this trial or whether it will spead to other locations.

Should I measure hourly time in Dash time or Active time?

Doordash measures both active time and dash time. Active time is the time actually performing deliveries, such as driving to the restaurant or taking food to the customer. Dash time is the total time logged into the app as ready to take offers.

Personally, I measure my hourly earnings by how much time I'm out there intending to make money on deliveries. That's more in line with Dash time. However, I'll count time that I'm delivering for someone else or returning from long distance trips and not logged into a Dash as part of my total time.

In my opinion, dash time is the more accurate measurement of the two. Counting only the time on deliveries creates an inflated picture of what you're actually making. This is especially true if you reject a lot of deliveries, as the time spent waiting for a good offer is time that you're not earning anything.

There is no such thing as a salary for Doordash drivers. Dashers are not employees, thus salary really doesn't apply.

There's also such a wide range of time that Dashers put into delivery work. Some will dash 60 hours a week or more. A large majority of drivers put in four hours or less per week. That makes it impossible to really rely on an ‘average salary.'

Doordash does not disclose how miles figure into the pay formula.

Some drivers evaluate delivery offers by the pay per mile. However, that varies based on all of the pay factors, so there is no set pay per mile.

I feel like Doordash claims that distance enters into the base pay can be misleading. I've had several deliveries that are longer than average (over seven miles) that still only paid the minimum delivery fee. Overall, the average delivery fee per mile does go up slightly, but not enough to say that distance is a significant payment factor.

I usually expect $2 to $4 in Doordash base pay for any given delivery, with the rest coming from customer tips. Doordash pay per delivery is made up of a delivery fee, incentives, and customer tips. Doordash claims that the base pay can range from two to ten dollars, but my experience shows the vast majority of delivery fees are less than four dollars.

What you make in a week depends on a lot of factors. How many hours did you put in? What kind of deliveries did you accept? How busy was your market? A person who averages $25 per hour and works 12 hours per day would bring in $2100 gross income before expenses. In my experience, that's not impossible but may not be common.

Like hourly and weekly totals, it all depends on how much time you put in, what kind of deliveries you accept, and what your market is like. In the example above, a person earning $25 per hour, 12 hours a day for 30 days a month would gross $9,000. I think that in a lot of markets that's achievable, if you're willing and able to work that many hours.

That's a decision you have to make: Is it worth the wear and tear on both yourself and your car?

Roxanne Rojas, a Dasher in California, had a TikTok video go viral where she showed weekly Doordash earnings as high as $1,920. That much per week for a year would be very close to $100,000 per year.

Is it possible? Yes, depending on the deliveries you take and what's available in your location. I personally average a higher amount per hour. However, I also wouldn't want to work that many hours.

I wouldn't be surprised if anyone is earning more than $100k per year on delivery. Of course, expenses make it harder to clear that much money. It's not unrealistic and some are quite happy to work that many hours.

I wrote more about this concept after an Uber Eats driver made nearly $8,400 in a month .

Can you make a full time-living delivering for Doordash?

Yes, it is very possible. I think your chances are better if you open yourself up to other delivery companies.

The flip side is whether you're really making as much delivering full-time as you think. Full-time delivery means significant driving. Are you taking car costs into account? Full time delivery without paying attention to expenses, Door dash tax savings, etc can create some real financial problems.

How is the Doordash base pay determined?

Doordash claims base pay is determined by a combination of distance, duration, and desirability of an order. There is a pattern of slight increases in base pay for longer deliveries, but it's very slight. Doordash does not make their formula public.

Does Doordash pay less when customers tip well?

Doordash claims that their delivery fees are not influenced by the size of the customer's tip. I don't believe them, but I can't prove conclusively that they're lying. As I've tried different tests and compiled numbers, the base pay tends to increase slightly when the tip is lower.

The desirability part of the pay model actually contradicts Doordash's statement that tips don't influence the size of the tip. Doordash says they'll add more if a delivery is not as desirable for a driver. When a customer doesn't tip and all you get is $2.50, that's not very desirable. In that situation, Doordash base pay is definitely impacted by the customer's tip.

No. The customer's delivery fee and service fee have no influence at all on what a Dasher is paid. What the customer pays and what the Dasher receives are independent of one another.

There is one way that delivery fees can influence what a Dasher makes. However, it's not the base pay that is influenced, but the customer's tip. A customer can see large delivery fees and service fees and assume that the driver is paid well. In most cases, the driver is only getting a couple of dollars.

There's a theory out there among Dashers that if more orders are rejected, Doordash will be forced to increase the pay.

With the way that Doordash uses desirability to determine the delivery fee, there may be some truth to that theory. Ultimately Doordash needs to make sure a delivery is completed and sometimes that many involve increasing pay to make it attractive.

At the same time, I think Doordash has a pretty good idea how all the patterns work and probably isn't as influenced as we think.

Personally, I don't believe in rejecting deliveries to try to influence the pay. If I didn't like an offer the first time around, I doubt I'll like it better with a small increase in pay.

I do turn down a lot of offers. It's not to try to force a change. It's simply that if an offer doesn't meet my price, I decline. Simple as that.

How does acceptance rate impact Dasher earnings?

There are two ways that I see acceptance rating making a difference in your earnings.

The first is that a very high acceptance rate can limit your earnings. If you take deliveries that pay very little for the time and distance involved, your average hourly rate will be lower.

Skilled Dashers who recognize profitable opportunities will often earn more with a lower acceptance rate.

The second way it can impact earnings is if you are in an area where it's difficult to get on the schedule to deliver. If you can't log in, you can't make money. Doordash has a special status for drivers who meet certain criteria (including a 70% or better acceptance rate) called Top Dasher. The primary benefit of being a Top Dasher is that you can log in to deliver at any time.

I did an experiment where I accepted every delivery offer for 200 straight deliveries. The purpose was to see if delivery offers were better as Top Dasher (half the deliveries) than when I wasn't. I did not see any evidence at all that delivery offers were any better when I was Top Dasher or when I had a higher acceptance rating.

In my experience, tips are much lower on Doordash than they are on Grubhub and Doordash. I've read some national comparisons showing the national average tip on Doordash is about 15% lower than on Uber Eats or Grubhub.

I don't think it's so much that Doordash customers tip less. It's more that Doordash recommends a smaller tip. When you place an order for delivery on the major platforms, the service provider automatically includes a suggested tip amount while giving you the chance to adjust it.

Doordash seems to recommend a lower tip far more often the others.

Out of curiosity, I started an order on Doordash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats for the same meal from the same restaurant. The suggested tip on Grubhub for the $42 meal was $11.22. Uber Eats defaulted to a 15% recommended tip at $7.96. Doordash came in lowest, at $5.50.

Doordash just offers what the total pay will be when they present an opportunity. They do not break it down by delivery fee, incentive and tip.

However, with base pay almost always in the two to four dollar range, it's easy to tell if the customer didn't tip very much. If total pay offered is four dollars or less, it's pretty easy to figure out that the customer either left a very small tip or none at all.

Other than estimating, Dashers don't know until after the delivery is complete what the actual amount of the tip was.

To date, no hard evidence has been found that Doordash has stolen tips from drivers.

There was some controversy over their old pay model that made it look like they were taking tips. In that model, Doordash added more to their base pay (which was only a dollar) if the customer tip was low or if they didn't tip at all.

Doordash wasn't stealing tips, however the pay structure was misleading and they were forced to change the pay model.

There are instances where the customer tip does not go entirely to the driver (or doesn't at all). If an order is placed through the restaurant instead of on the Doordash app, the restaurant can decide how much of the tip goes to the driver and how much goes to their own staff.

Sometimes Doordash will hide a part of the payment. This is often referred to by Dashers as hidden tips. Doordash will display a lower amount on the offer screen when the actual total pay is higher.

In an interview with Harry Campbell on the Rideshare Guy podcast Doordash president Christopher Payne stated: “So one of the things you're talking about is the tip, and we'll show the Doordash component and a portion of the tip. But we cap that because we found that a lot of people were just waiting for the big tips.”

In other words, Doordash decided that there were enough Dashers just waiting for extremely large orders that they needed to disguise some of those offers, thus they decided to cap or hide part of the tip.

In the study I mentioned earlier where I accepted 200 straight deliveries, 16% of the deliveries had a hidden tip. The highest hidden tip was $6. The next highest was $4.50. The average amount of additional hidden tip on those was $1.71 and 60% of hidden tips were less than two dollars.

Hidden tips happen on Doordash. However, in my experience the additional amount is pretty small on average.

Can Doordash customers change the tip after the delivery?

Doordash customers who did not tip when placing the order can supposedly add a tip later. If they did place a tip and were extremely unhappy with their service, it may be possible to get a refund of their tip from Doordash by contacting customer support. I have not seen any instances, however, of Doordash taking back any tip that has been paid to a Dasher.

Doordash drivers can be paid one of three ways:

• By direct deposit into their account
• Using Fast Pay, where for a $1.99 fee money can instantly be deposited to a personal debit card
• Deposited immediately onto a DasherDirect debit card, offered through Doordash, once a dash is completed.

Direct deposit happens on a weekly basis. If a Dasher has not withdrawn available funds using Doordash Fast Pay or through the DasherDirect debit card by the end of business on Sunday, those funds are then sent to the Dasher by direct deposit.

If you use Direct Deposit, Doordash processes the ACH direct deposit to your financial institution on Monday. Most Dashers will see the deposit in their bank account on that Tuesday. Some banks may make those funds available immediately or can take a couple of business days. Bank holidays may impact what day funds are deposited.

If you use Fast Pay, funds become available as soon as you complete a dash. A dash is a term for a time period in which you are available to accept deliveries on Doordash. As soon as you end your dash, the total pay for all deliveries completed in that dash are added to your available earnings and you can cash for the $1.99 processing fee. You can only use the Fast Pay feature once a day.

If you have the DasherDirect debit account, a special debit card offered by Doordash in conjunction with Payfare, and you have elected to have your funds deposited to your card, your earnings are automatically deposited onto your Dasher Direct card the moment you complete a Dash.

No. Doordash does not charge Dashers to deliver. They simply pay whatever delivery fees, incentives and customer tips that are earned on your deliveries. The only real service fees related to dashing are the $1.99 processing fees charged if you use Fast Pay to receive your payments early on your bank debit card.

Doordash does not reimburse their contractors for gas purchases or for mileage. Doordash simply pays drivers the delivery fees, incentives, and customer tips. Dashers are on their own for cost of fuel and other expenses related to delivering for Doordash.

In March, 2022, Doordash announced a gas rewards program as a temporary way of offsetting higher than usual fuel prices. That program included a weekly reward of $5, $10, or $15 depending on how many miles were driven for deliveries. It also included increasing the cash back for fuel reward on the DasherDirect card from 2% to 10%.

At the end of April Doordash announced they were extending the program. What they did not announce was that they were actually discontinuing the weekly supplement. They never actually announced that to Dashers in any communication or press release. Instead, buried a statement in the FAQ section of their gas rewards page that the weekly gas challenge was not extended.

Could this help someone else? Please share it.

About the Author

Ron Walter made the move from business manager at a non-profit to full time gig economy delivery in 2018 to take advantage of the flexibility of self-employment. He applied his thirty years experience managing and owning small businesses to treat his independent contractor role as the business it is.

Realizing his experience could help other drivers, he founded EntreCourier.com to encourage delivery drivers to be the boss of their own gig economy business.

Ron has been quoted in several national outlets including Business Insider, the New York Times, CNN and Market Watch.

You can read more about Ron's story, , background, and why he believes making the switch from a career as a business manager to delivering as an independent contractor was the best decision he could have made.

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How Much Is DoorDash? 2024 Cost, Fees & Pricing

Since 2012, Brett Helling has built expertise in the rideshare and delivery sectors, working with major platforms like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash.

He acquired Ridester.com in 2014, the first ridesharing marketplace, leveraging his direct experience to enhance the site. His insights at Ridester are recognized by Forbes, Vice, and CNBC.

Expanding his reach, Brett founded Gigworker.com and authored “ Gigworker: Independent Work and the State of the Gig Economy “, demonstrating his comprehensive knowledge of the gig economy.

More about Brett | How we publish content

Ever wondered, "how much does DoorDash cost?" In this article, we'll dive deep into DoorDash's pricing structure, exploring everything from its delivery and service fees to the factors that influence its charges.

Key Takeaways

• Delivery fees vary ($0.99 to $5.99), based on distance and demand, directly affecting total cost.
• Service fees, about 10% of the order subtotal, contribute to DoorDash’s operational costs.
• Surge pricing applies during peak hours, increasing costs due to higher demand.
• Small order fee ($2) for orders under $15 encourages larger purchases to avoid extra charges.
• Does DoorDash Mark Up Food Prices?
• 1. Delivery Fees
• 2. Service Fees
• 3. Peak Pricing/Surge Fees
• 4. Small Order Fees
• 5. Tips for Dashers
• Additional Costs and Considerations
• Example DoorDash Order Cost
• Why Is DoorDash So Expensive?
• 1. Use promo codes
• 2. Choose pickup over delivery
• 3. Try DashPass
• Is there a monthly fee to use DoorDash?
• Is Uber Eats or DoorDash cheaper?
• Is There a Minimum Order for DoorDash?
• Wrapping Up

How Much Does DoorDash Cost? Breaking Down the Pricing Structure

Using DoorDash involves several costs: the meal price, delivery fees (typically $1.99 to $5.99), service fees (about 10% of the subtotal), and local taxes. Orders under $15 may have an additional small order fee of around $2.50. Tipping the driver is optional but common.

Restaurant prices on DoorDash may be slightly higher than in-store. For frequent users, the DashPass subscription offers free delivery on orders over $12 and reduced service fees for $9.99/month or $96/year.

The total cost varies based on factors like location and demand.

Yes, some restaurants on DoorDash might increase their food prices compared to in-store rates to cover DoorDash’s commission fees and other costs.

However, DoorDash encourages consistent pricing across platforms to maintain customer satisfaction and is spotlighting restaurants that keep steady pricing.

Breaking Down the Cost of a DoorDash Order

The DoorDash app is free to download and use, with an optional subscription service discussed later. Its pricing includes food costs, order and delivery fees (including surge or small order fees), and an optional driver tip.

On the app or website, you can browse local restaurants, each displaying its delivery fee which varies based on distance. Restaurants set their own menu prices, which may match or exceed in-store prices.

When you select your food, your cart displays the total cost, service fee, and delivery fee.

Payment methods ac c epted by DoorDash

The cost of DoorDash for business

The first part of DoorDash’s pricing is the delivery fees.

Luckily, DoorDash makes the delivery fees super transparent. They pop up under the restaurant’s name when browsing through the app or website. This means you’ll know how much you’re going to be paying for delivery before you’ve even chosen your food!

The delivery fees are calculated based on distance and demand; for example, how far you are from the restaurant, and how busy it is for Dashers (DoorDash’s delivery drivers) at the moment.

You’ll find that restaurants closest to you will be a lot cheaper than ones that are further away. The closer the restaurant, the less distance your Dasher will have to travel!

Delivery fees can also go up and down quite quickly. If you’ve ever used the app at around 5 p.m., you’ll notice that the fees jump in price. This is because more people are browsing the app and placing orders.

Sometimes you’ll also notice that DoorDash won’t charge any delivery fees. This is either due to promotions or because it’s a quiet period.

Delivery fees are generally anywhere between $0.99 and $5.99, but they can go a lot higher if you’re far away from the restaurant.

DoorDash splits the delivery fee between themselves and the Dasher. Higher delivery fees help compensate the Dashers for traveling longer distances.

Every DoorDash order includes a delivery fee, typically ranging between $0.99 and $5.99.

This cost can vary based on the restaurant and demand. During peak hours , typically from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., these fees might increase due to high demand.

After the delivery fees come the service fees. This is calculated based on the total cost of your order, starting at $0.60.

The service fee varies based on several factors, such as the size of your order. The more food you order, the higher your delivery fee will be!

Generally, the service fee will be a percentage of the order cost. A common amount is around 15% of the order total, but this can increase due to other factors.

The service fee helps DoorDash cover things like marketing, technology development, and payment processing. They help keep DoorDash running so you can get the most out of the service.

The service fee can be annoying, but it is unfortunately mandatory. While delivery fees can be sometimes waived, service fees rarely are.

The service fee, usually around ten percent of the order’s subtotal, can vary based on the customer’s location and demand.

Within the DoorDash app, the “fee and estimated tax” section provides a breakdown of this fee. It’s rare to find discounts on this fee, so always factor it in when placing an order.

DoorDash sometimes charges extra fees on top of service and delivery. This is most commonly surge pricing, which is where prices change due to increased demand.

This fee gets spread across your food and delivery fees, so sometimes you might not even notice it!

Surge pricing only takes effect during busy parts of the day (for example, during lunch times or the dinner rush).

The prices change because there’s higher demand and less availability. This makes it more competitive for Dashers, who are always seeking the highest-paying orders.

One way you can avoid surge fees is by ordering during off-peak times, such as in the afternoon or early morning. The least busy times of day will mean cheaper fees all around.

However, if you really can’t afford to order during these times, another tip is to close out of the app and wait a bit.

Sometimes the prices might go down after five to ten minutes. So, if you don’t mind waiting longer, this can be a good way to get cheaper fees on your order.

DoorDash implements surge pricing during busy periods like lunch or dinner times, leading to higher overall costs due to increased demand.

You can avoid these surge fees by ordering during off-peak times or by waiting a few minutes before placing your order, as prices may decrease.

The other extra fee DoorDash charges only applies to small orders.

A small order is usually classed as an order under $15. You’ll be charged an extra $2.50 on top of your order cost.

This gets added to make the trip worth it for Dashers, who would otherwise not accept a small order.

This fee is separate from the pre-existing service and delivery fee. It gets listed as “Small Order Fee” below the other costs.

One way you can avoid this fee is by simply ordering more food. Try adding a side dish or a drink to your order to bump it over $15!

DoorDash enforces a minimum subtotal, generally between $8 and $10, depending on the city. If your order falls short of this amount, a small order fee of about $2 is charged.

It’s often more economical to add an additional food item, like an appetizer or drink, to reach the minimum and avoid this fee.

You also have the option of adding a tip for your Dasher. You can either do this while checking out or immediately after the delivery.

Tipping is suggested  to help support your driver. While tips aren’t mandatory, they can be a great way to reward your Dasher for their hard work.

You might consider adding a tip if your Dasher goes above and beyond to deliver your order, or if they correctly follow tricky delivery instructions.

A standard-sized tip is around 10 – 20% of the total order cost. You also have the option of adding a simple amount, such as $1 or $3. DoorDash doesn’t keep any of the tips; it goes straight to the driver.

While tips are an annoying extra, they are a nice way of thanking your Dasher. Without delivery drivers, you wouldn’t have your food in the first place!

Your checkout page will list a “Taxes and Fees” charge, comprising the local sales tax and the aforementioned service fee. While the service fee can vary, sales tax is determined by the local rates of the city you’re ordering from.

Remember, if you’re ordering alcohol , taxes might be higher based on state or local regulations. DoorDash ensures full compliance with these tax laws.

Ordering pick-up is a great way to avoid a service fee, but you will still need to pay sales tax regardless of what type of order you’re placing. To see the exact breakdown of how much you’re being charged in taxes and fees, you can tap the info icon next to the charge on your checkout page.

There are a few other costs to consider outside of DoorDash’s standard fees.

There are optional fees to be aware of, such as the Express Fee. This is the fee that you get when using Express Delivery on checkout, and it’s usually only a few extra dollars. You essentially pay more for faster delivery.

There are also other fees associated with DoorDash’s operating costs, such as Regulatory Response Fees.

You’ll encounter these sometimes when DoorDash’s operating costs increase due to local or state regulations. It might not be fun for you, but it helps DoorDash pay its drivers while still providing the service you want.

You can see a breakdown of the fees you were charged on your receipt after the order has been completed.

If you think you might’ve been charged too much, you can always try to request a refund  with DoorDash!

Suppose you are craving a burrito. First, you would search through the DoorDash app for a restaurant that offers the food you like.

After adding all of the items you’d like to eat into your cart, you will see the total listed and a breakdown of the fees described above. DoorDash might also notify you that you failed to meet the order minimum, which would add a small fee.

An example might look like this:

Then the total cost of your order will appear at the bottom of the screen within a red “Continue” button, which will lead you to complete your order when pressed.

After moving forward, an option exists in the app to add a tip of 10%, 15%, 20%, or more for your Dasher. You can tip when you order, when the order arrives via cash, or after the order is delivered.

Consider tipping your Dasher since drivers rely on these service-based payments for support.

In some cities, the cost of ordering food through delivery apps has increased since the beginning of the pandemic.

Restaurants have increased the price of food items they serve, and those food prices shape DoorDash’s service fees, so they transfer those costs to the customer.

However, DoorDash is offering a service. Customers are paying a delivery company to perform a job for them, which costs a particular market rate. Customers would not expect a doctor to offer a free physical exam, nor should DoorDash users expect free delivery of a specific service.

While the cost of the fees associated with DoorDash can add up, the company works to offset those costs through promotions and subscriptions.

Our Take: Is DoorDash Worth It?

Food delivery can get incredibly expensive once the markups, fees, and tips have been included. Oftentimes, the order can nearly double – just with the added costs. However, we still think DoorDash is worth it .

At the end of the day, users are paying for convenience. But, that convenience is going to cost money. After all, somebody else is physically driving to pick up – and then drop off – your order to you so that you don’t have to.

I always ask myself if the convenience is worth the tradeoff. If it is? I’ll order with DoorDash. If it’s not? I get the order myself.

Tips for Saving Money on DoorDash

Unfortunately, DoorDash isn’t free, but you can check out our tips for getting free DoorDash  from time to time!

Here are some quick ways to save money on DoorDash:

For new users, DoorDash promo codes provide a welcome opportunity to save. After signing up, a new customer might receive an email with a link offering free delivery for their first month on the app.

Additionally, promo codes can often be found on coupon websites, shared by other users. A simple internet search could reveal codes that help reduce costs.

For regular customers, there are other ways to save. DoorDash rewards referrals, adding credit to your account when you introduce friends and family to the app. Moreover, existing users periodically receive promo codes directly from DoorDash via email.

Read More: Learn about all the ways existing DoorDash users can earn free credit .

Yes, the point of food delivery apps is food delivery , but picking up your order is a great way of saving a few extra bucks!

If you have the means, you still use DoorDash to order food then either walk or drive to pick it up. You’ll save yourself the delivery fee using this method.

If you’re a frequent DoorDash user, you can join DashPass  — the company’s subscription program — for the most consistent savings available.

For a monthly fee of $9.99 or an annual charge of $96, DashPass members enjoy $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on orders over $15 from a wide range of merchants.

This includes national chains like 7-Eleven, Chipotle, The Cheesecake Factory, and Denny’s, among others. The DoorDash app conveniently allows users to filter and find DashPass-eligible restaurants.

Additionally, students can benefit from a discounted subscription rate of $4.99 per month or $48 annually. The subscription is flexible, allowing users to cancel at any time.

DashPass is particularly beneficial for those who rely on DoorDash regularly or prefer larger orders, offering significant savings on delivery and service fees.

Non-subscribers can still use DoorDash, but DashPass members gain access to exclusive discounts and conveniences, making frequent food delivery more affordable and accessible.

Related: How to Easily Cancel DashPass After Signup

Frequently Asked Questions

DoorDash is currently free to use. They offer an optional subscription model for users to opt into called Dash Pass. This gives subscribers access to $0 delivery fees and cheaper service fees.

DoorDash is sometimes cheaper than Uber Eats . In general, DoorDash has cheaper service fees compared to Uber Eats. To find what’s currently the cheapest for you, compare the same order on each platform.

While there is no minimum order amount for DoorDash, if you are ordering food and the total is less than $10.00, you will be charged a small order fee.

Additionally, if you are a DashPass subscriber, you must purchase at least $12.00 worth of food from a participating restaurant to qualify for zero delivery fees.

In conclusion, DoorDash’s pricing structure is made up of the cost of the food and additional fees such as delivery and service charges.

Understanding how DoorDash’s fees work can help you save money on food delivery in the long run! When you know how much you can expect to pay for DoorDash, you’ll be able to better plan your deliveries.

The next time you order from DoorDash, keep these points in mind for a better ordering experience!

The sources we reviewed to write this article.

See Sources

• https://help.doordash.com/consumers/s/article/What-fees-do-I-pay?language=en_US#:~:text=Small%20Order%20Fee%3A%20In%20some,available%20merchants%20farthest%20from%20you .
• https://help.doordash.com/consumers/s/article/Can-I-adjust-the-tip-I-provide-to-my-Dasher?language=en_US  

1 thought on “How Much Is DoorDash? 2024 Cost, Fees & Pricing”

Doordash marks up the price of the food – e.g. an item cost $9.00 in the restaurant – doordash charges $11 (not sure of the percentage) it is a total ripoff given all the other fees added. Plus Doordash screws the delivery drivers of their fees.

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DoorDash Driver Pay: What Do Dashers Earn in 2023?

• January 10, 2023

What do you think? Have DoorDash earnings stayed solid, even now that more customers are eating in at restaurants and doing their own convenience store shopping? A look at the numbers that have come in for DoorDash driver pay tells us that customers’ appetites for delivery hasn’t slowed down much at all! Gridwise data show that DoorDash earnings have remained stable over the first three quarters of 2022.

In this post, we’ll answer all kinds of questions about DoorDash driver pay, including

How much do DoorDashers make?

How much do dashers make per month, how does doordash pay you.

• Doodash pay in popular US cities

How much do Doordashers make per hour?

What makes driving for doordash worth it.

• How can you maximize DoorDash driver pay?

DoorDash drivers, or “Dashers” as they’re known, have had a very solid year in 2022. Median gross earnings remained at slightly less than $15.00 per hour for the second and third quarters. Dasher hourly pay was a few pennies less than Grubhub, and about $0.50 more than Uber Eats. If a Dasher clocks around 30 hours per week, then the answer to “How much do drivers make a week?” would be about $450, which isn’t bad at all!

When we ask “How much do drivers earn a month?” the answer tells us that not all Dashers are likely to be delivering full time. According to Gridwise data, Dashers made an average of only $223 per month from April to September of this year. That means the average driver was clocking just15 hours per month.

There could be many reasons for this. Many may see Dashing as a part-time gig and they could be using DoorDash as part of a multi-apping gig strategy. Check out this Gridwise post on the art of multi-apping, and you’ll see how that’s done. 

DoorDash would be a good gig for those who benefit from multi-apping, as peak hours are clustered around mealtimes. It’s likely drivers who want to make more per month will engage in other driving gigs or another side hustle to make up the difference. Some might be doing DoorDash only at times when there are plenty of orders.

Doodash pay in popular US cities*

How much do doordash drivers earn in nyc.

• On average, DoorDash drivers in NYC earn $12.02 per hour.

How much do DoorDash drivers earn in LA?

• On average, DoorDash drivers in LA earn $16.34 per hour.

How much do DoorDash drivers earn in Chicago?

• On average, DoorDash drivers in Chicago earn $12.20 per hour.

How much do DoorDash drivers earn in San Francisco?

• On average, DoorDash drivers in San Francisco earn $15.49 per hour.

How much do DoorDash drivers earn in Houston?

• On average, DoorDash drivers in Houston earn $10.29 per hour.

*Doordash driver pay data cited is based on median average earnings.

The question, “How much do drivers make an hour?”  isn’t really complete until we talk about tipping. DoorDash tips are usually a given. According to Gridwise data, Dashers raked in an average of $7.50 in tips per hour. 

DoorDash tip numbers exceeded those of their food delivery competitors, including Uber Eats, Grubhub, Shipt, and Instacart. Maybe people are more familiar with DoorDash and like the service better, or it could be that Dashers receive more orders per hour than with other services. Either way, it appears that they make some decent cash with customer tips.

The app gives customers a chance to add a tip at the time of the order, and another opportunity once they receive their orders. There has been some controversy around DoorDash’s handling of driver tips . Learn more about the complaints, and how DoorDash addressed them, in this article from entrecourier.com.

The ways rideshare and delivery companies pay structure can be a key factor in their attractiveness to drivers. Dasher pay consists of the following:

• base pay: This is the contribution from DoorDash, which comes from the fee they charge the customer. The DoorDash Driver pay scale ranges from $2.00–$10.00, and is based on the estimated time, distance, and desirability of the order. DoorDash mileage pay can often make a small order seem well worth taking.
• Peak pay is automatically added to orders when there is a lot of demand. This is the most common promotion you’ll see as a driver.
• Challenges give drivers the chance to earn more by completing a certain number of deliveries in a set amount of time. These incentives encourage drivers to become more efficient, and ultimately make DoorDash more appealing to customers.
• Guaranteed earnings are granted periodically, usually communicated by email or SMS, to DoorDash drivers. This offer promises that certain select drivers will earn a set amount of money within a set number of days, not including tips or other offers. 
• tips: DoorDash, as we stated earlier, lets customers leave tips when they check out or after their order is delivered. Drivers keep 100% of their tips. 

You probably have met at least one Dasher, if not at a party or in a class you both attend, then maybe when they brought your favorite burrito to the door. A lot of people drive for DoorDash, and there are good reasons. Here are a few.

• DoorDash is flexible. While you can schedule time blocks to work, it’s also possible, most of the time, for drivers to “Dash Now.” That means you can turn on the app and orders will come in. This works at peak times as well as when other drivers are less likely to schedule their shifts.
• DoorDash is a leader in the food delivery industry. Even if other companies go out of business, DoorDash will probably still be around. You see it in almost every town, and it serves most if not all restaurants and convenience stores in most areas. See how working with DoorDash vs. other delivery gigs compares in this Gridwise blog post.
• The DoorDash app and website are state of the art. DoorDash takes its business seriously and makes it easy for both customers and drivers to use their software. The app is easy to navigate, and the DoorDash website answers more questions than you could possibly think of.
• DoorDash earnings are relatively high. Although Dashers don’t earn as much hourly income as Amazon Flex, Lyft, or Uber drivers do, they make more than most of the drivers for other food delivery companies.

If you’re in search of more DoorDash driver advice, check out this article from Gridwise aimed at new and seasoned Dashers .

How can you maximize your DoorDash driver pay?

While DoorDash driver pay is somewhat high when compared to other food delivery gigs, no Dasher that wants to make more money will sit back and rest on their laurels. It not only pays to work as hard as you can, you can earn even more when you work “smart.”

What might this consist of? Here are some suggestions:

• Work for bigger tips. Doing more than just “your job” impresses most customers. Not only will you make more money, you’ll get more satisfaction from doing your work to the best of your ability. Read this Gridwise post for more ideas for getting bigger tips.
• Save on gas. When you’re a delivery driver, running up a high fuel bill is inevitable. Take advantage of money saving programs and challenge yourself to drive with fuel efficiency in mind. Here’s advice from Gridwise on ways to save on gas.
• Track your earnings. Get Gridwise and link it to your DoorDash account. Your earnings will be seamlessly recorded and placed into easy to read, informative graphs. Compare your earnings from month to month, or see what other drivers are making.

• Log your expenses. As an independent contractor, every Dasher has to keep an account of expenses such as mileage, fuel, and equipment. Gridwise is the best DoorDash mileage tracker because Gridwise is designed specifically for gig drivers. Not only can you track your total mileage, but for every app you sync with Gridwise, you’ll be able to see how much you’ve driven. 
• Create a winning strategy. Don’t make your driving gig a process of trial and error. With Gridwise features Where to Drive and When to Drive , you can easily see when the peak hours for Dashing are in your area and choose your scheduled blocks or Dash Now option where and when there’s plenty of business to be had.

Gridwise also offers real-time information on weather, events, and traffic, which can save you from getting jammed up. There are also tons of deals and discounts for drivers that will make Dashing a high-earning dream!

Are you looking for more Doodash resources?

• Doordash Incentives 2023: How Do They Work?
• How to Earn $1000 a Week With Doordash
• A Guide to Dashing: DoorDash For New Drivers vs. Experienced Drivers

Download the Gridwise app now!

Related posts.

How Much Do DoorDash Drivers Make Per Delivery?

While some food delivery drivers prefer to look at hourly earnings as their primary gauge of performance, others prefer to look at how much

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One Response

The $15 / hour is before deducting expenses which would probably bring it down to 10 to $12 per hour which is horrible. For that money you can find any other job at a fast food place and not destroy a car in the process and risk your life in an accident.

The truth is drivers should make at least $20 / hour AFTER expenses so the gross earnings per hour should be at least$24. Anything less is unacceptable.

Please stop publishing false information claiming that $15 before expenses is fine for a driver – it is NOT FINE.

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DoorDash Revenue and Usage Statistics (2024)

Updated: April 17, 2024

DoorDash began life as a paloaltodelivery.com and at launch the four founders ran the entire operation, which included building the app, receiving orders and delivering them. It instilled a culture in the startup which is still ingrained today, as DoorDash employees spend one day a month as a ‘dasher’ delivering food.

In the first year of operations, DoorDash expanded to 70 restaurants in the Bay Area and received $2.4 million in funding. It grew at a rate of 20 percent every week, according to Y Combinator.

Guide To In-App Engagement

Principles and best practices behind in-app engagement to drive growth for your consumer business.

While it has not perfected delivery, DoorDash has established itself as the leader in the US market, surpassing incumbent Grubhub and global leader Uber Eats . It has held a double digit advantage on the competition since 2020.

DoorDash made this leap to first position by aggressively expanding into markets, sometimes controversially adding restaurants onto the platform before contacting them.

In 2019, Uber attempted to merge with DoorDash, but the two rivals couldn’t come to an agreement. DoorDash acquired Square’s Caviar food delivery service for $410 million a few months later, which is still available to use. It acquired Wolt in 2021, which provided it with a foothold into the European market.

DoorDash also launched a shared kitchen in 2019, which operate similar to dark kitchens that Deliveroo and Uber Eats use in Europe. These kitchens are located in areas with lower expenses and are delivery only, reducing the operating cost.

In 2021, DoorDash went public on the New York Stock Exchange at a $72 billion valuation. That valuation has declined considerably since then, although it has climbed well during 2023 and 2024.

We have collected data and statistics on DoorDash. Read on below to find out more.

DoorDash Key Statistics

• DoorDash reported revenues of $8.63 billion in 2023, a 31% increase on the previous year
• In 2023, it reported an annual net loss of $558 million, a 58% reduction in loss from 2022
• DoorDash has 37 million users, the vast majority of which are from the United States
• According to Second Measure, DoorDash has over 60% market share in the US

Food Delivery App Report 2024

Want to learn more about the food delivery app industry? Our Food Delivery App report includes breakdowns of all of the top apps by revenue, GMV and orders, alongside regional market share statistics, usage, and downloads.

DoorDash Overview

Doordash revenue.

DoorDash revenue increased by 31% in 2023 to $8.63 billion. It grew rapidly during the pandemic and has continued to increase revenues by double digit percentage each year.

DoorDash quarterly revenue 2019 to 2023 ($mm)

Doordash annual revenue 2017 to 2023 ($bn).

Sources: Company data, Food Delivery App Report , The Information

DoorDash Profit

DoorDash reported an annual net loss of $558 million in 2023, a strong improvement on the year prior.

DoorDash annual net income/loss 2018 to 2023 ($mm)

Sources: Company data The Information

DoorDash Users

DoorDash had 37 million active users in 2023, adding five million in the past 12 months.

DoorDash annual users 2018 to 2023 (mm)

Sources: Company data, eMarketer , Food Delivery App Report

DashPass Subscribers

DoorDash has 18 million users which subscribe to DashPass, which nets them free delivery and free cancellation.

DoorDash DashPass subscribers 2019 to 2023 (mm)

Source: Company data

DoorDash Restaurants

DoorDash had 550,000 partnered restaurants and grocery markets on its platform in 2023.

DoorDash partnered restaurants 2017 to 2023

Sources: CNBC , Company data

DoorDash US Market Share vs Competitors

Want to learn more? Get our premium food delivery report

DoorDash FAQ

Has doordash ever made a profit.

DoorDash has not made an annual profit, and net losses increased slightly in 2021

How many orders have DoorDash completed?

According to its corporate overview, DoorDash has completed over 900 million orders since inception

How many people work for DoorDash?

DoorDash has over one million riders who deliver food

What is the average order size from DoorDash?

DoorDash average order size was $37.28, only 20 percent spent more than $50 ( Rakuten )

What is the average wait time for a DoorDash order?

DoorDash average delivery time was 37 minutes in 2019 ( DoorDash )

How many cities is DoorDash available in?

DoorDash is available in over 4,000 North American cities

More Delivery App Data

• Uber Eats Revenue and Usage Statistics (2024)
• Gorillas Revenue and Usage Statistics (2024)
• Getir Revenue and Usage Statistics (2024)
• Instacart Revenue and Usage Statistics (2024)
• Grubhub Revenue and Usage Statistics (2024)
• Postmates Revenue and Usage Statistics (2024)
• GoPuff Revenue and Usage Statistics (2024)
• Deliveroo Revenue and Usage Statistics (2024)
• Just Eat Revenue and Usage Statistics (2024)
• Rapid Delivery App Revenue and Usage Statistics (2024)

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DoorDash Driver Review: How Much Does DoorDash Pay?

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Reviewed by Experts

Trusted by Millions of Readers

GOBankingRates Score

• Flexibility 5.0
• Earning Potential 4.0
• Driver App Experience 4.0
• Consistent Work Availability 3.0
• Work when and where you want
• Pick only the jobs you want
• Get paid quickly
• Earn more with promos and bonuses
• Work depends on demand
• Paid per delivery – no steady hourly rate
• Must handle your own taxes

DoorDash Overview

DoorDash is a technology-driven delivery service company. It operates in over 7,000 cities across the U.S., Canada and Australia. It is also available in Japan and Germany. The company connects hundreds of thousands of merchants, over 20 million consumers and over a million drivers. DoorDash went public with a $60.2 billion initial public offering in December 2020.

Although best known for restaurant deliveries, DoorDash serves a variety of merchants. For example, over the holidays, DoorDash partnered with JCPenney to offer on-demand delivery of home electronics and beauty and personal care products from 600 stores nationwide.

How Dashing Works

Once a customer has placed an order, a Dasher accepts the order, picks it up and delivers it to the customer.

Payments are handled through the app, so drivers aren’t responsible for handling cash or credit cards at delivery — with the exception of orders that require payment with a DoorDash Red Card , which DoorDash provides.

Paying Taxes on DoorDash Earnings

Dashers are independent contractors, and as such are responsible for any withholding tax required by the state and the IRS. You’ll receive a 1099-NEC by January 31 each year that you earn $600 or more on the DoorDash platform.

To further assist drivers, DoorDash has partnered with Everlance, a subscription-based app that helps you track mileage and expenses that could reduce your tax bill.

How Much Does DoorDash Pay?

Each order you deliver earns base pay of $2 to $10 or more, depending on the order’s time, distance and desirability. The Dasher pay model is comprised of three elements that make up your total earnings:

With these three elements combined, your pay ultimately depends on how much you work and how many deliveries you complete. Indeed reports an average pay of about $16 an hour for Dashers, while ZipRecruiter reports an average of $19 an hour. Assuming a 40-hour workweek, this is the average pay for DoorDash drivers:

Dashers who live in busier areas, take advantage of promotions and complete more deliveries can earn higher rates, but those in slow areas who are unable to complete promotions or devote a full-time work schedule to Dashing could earn much less.

How Do DoorDash Drivers Get Paid?

Dashers get paid via  direct deposit , which you’ll set up in advance.

Dashers who don’t have a bank account or who prefer an alternative to direct deposit can use DasherDirect. This program loads your earnings on a  debit card every time you complete a trip. The funds are available to you instantly, and you’ll earn 2% cash back when you use the card to purchase gas . In addition, there are bonuses for referring friends to become Dashers.

When Do Dashers Get Paid?

DoorDash initiates fund transfers each Monday for deliveries completed between Monday and Sunday of the previous week. The funds are generally available to you by Wednesday night.

If you need your earnings sooner, you can pay a $1.99 fee for Fast Pay, which lets you cash out early.

Key Features

DoorDash earned its score of 4 stars out of 5 with the following features:

Flexibility

DoorDash Dashers earn money by picking up and delivering orders from local businesses, like restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, pet stores and flower shops. As  self-employed gig workers , Dashers work when they want and as much or as little as they want.

Just keep in mind that you’ll earn more at certain times of day — the higher the demand is for deliveries, the more Dashers make.

Driver App Experience

The Dasher app is your go-to place for all things dashing. In the app, you can dash now, schedule a dash and review your earnings and your customer ratings. You can also manage your account details, Red Card and app settings.

When a delivery is ready, DoorDash will let you know via text message and app notification. You’ll see the business name, order size, delivery distance and how much you’ll earn. To deliver the order, tap the “Accept” button in the app.

The app will give you step-by-step instructions on how and where to pick up the order, as well as how and where to deliver it.

Earning Potential

How much does DoorDash pay? How much  you can make as a Dasher depends on several factors, including order size, how frequently you make deliveries, delivery distances and how fast you can complete your deliveries.

DoorDash offers promotions — additional pay for specific orders or circumstances — in addition to its base pay. There are several types of promotions, including:

• Peak pay: Premium pay during busy times
• Challenge: Extra pay for completing a certain number of deliveries within a set time period
• Drive: Large-order deliveries with premium pay for eligible drivers
• Guaranteed earnings: Specific minimum earnings guaranteed to select drivers for trips taken within a specified period.

Consistent Work Availability

The number of available orders on a day-to-day basis may vary based on demand and your location. Because of this, DoorDash earnings may not always be consistent.

Experienced Dashers will tell you that you can maximize your earnings by being selective about when and where you drive and the types of orders you accept. Dashing at dinner time or on the weekends will be much busier than mid-afternoons during the week.

You’re not restricted to driving in your own town. If you live in an area where demand is low, it might be worth it to go to a busier area, especially during peak times. You can even dash while you’re traveling, if there are orders to deliver on your way.

Comparable Driving Gig Options

There are many other delivery services out there besides DoorDash. You can try more than one and see what works best for you — or whether you can earn more by driving for two or more services .

Unlike DoorDash, Instacart is primarily a grocery delivery service. Requirements are slightly stricter than DoorDash — you must affirm that you are able to lift 40 lbs. safely and that you have access to a registered vehicle with valid insurance. Instacart gives payment estimates of $5 or more per batch for delivery only — when the store picks the items out for the customer before you arrive — and $7 to $10 per batch for the full shop-and-delivery service.

As a full-service shopper, you are entitled to 100% of any tips you get from customers. You will also be able to earn extra money whenever Instacart runs promotions.

Uber Eats , like DoorDash, is a restaurant food delivery service. Uber Eats requires drivers to have a car to deliver food, which can make it a non-starter for some.

Uber Eats drivers make  essentially the same amount as Dashers . Your location and the preferred food delivery service in your area will determine whether Uber Eats or DoorDash is more profitable for you.

How To Become a DoorDash Driver

Becoming a Dasher is easy. All you need is a mode of transportation and a smartphone to manage your deliveries.

There are some additional qualifications and requirements, including that you must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a driver’s license number.
• Have a Social Security number if dashing in the U.S.
• Pass a background check.

With those qualifications, getting started is simple and takes just a few minutes. Go to the Dasher sign-up page on the DoorDash website or download the app and type in your ZIP code and email to begin. Follow the prompts to sign up and submit any documentation DoorDash requires, including a W-9.

During that process, you’ll have to consent to a background and motor vehicle check and select a driver orientation, which can be in person or via an activation kit. Your choice will be confirmed after you’ve completed your W-9 form.

Once you’ve submitted your information and passed the background and vehicle checks, you’re officially a Dasher and can immediately start making deliveries.

If you selected to complete your orientation via the activation kit, DoorDash will ship it to you. The kit includes a hot bag for food, a Red Card — needed to pay for some, but not all, deliveries — and a Getting Started manual. DoorDash says it will take one to four business days to deliver the kit to you. However, you don’t have to wait for the kit to begin dashing.

Who DoorDash Is Best For

If you’re looking for a side gig where you can make decent money and be your own boss, DoorDash is a great option. You’re in complete control of your schedule, including when and where you want to work.

By being selective about when and where you drive and the types of orders you accept to maximize your earnings, dashing for DoorDash can pay well.

Delivering for a service like DoorDash can be an excellent way to earn extra income with a  side hustle . You can create your schedule, take only the jobs you want and get paid quickly. Instead of delivering from just one restaurant, like a pizzeria delivery driver, or one category of products, like a flower delivery driver, you can deliver food and merchandise from hundreds of businesses.

DoorDash Driver FAQ

• With enough orders and tips, you should be able to make $100 a day with DoorDash. You can maximize your earnings by focusing on peak times when the demand is high, rather than wasting your time dashing during slow periods.
• During peak times, you also have the potential to receive a peak pay bonus or a batch order, which is when you can accept two orders near each other.
• Your pay will be anywhere from $2 to more than $10 per order, plus any promos and customer tips. To maximize earnings, avoid locations with lots of traffic. The faster you can deliver orders, the more money you'll make.
• Most drivers won't replace a full-time job driving for DoorDash, but you could bring in enough cash in your spare time to make a real difference in your budget.
• DoorDash does not pay for gas. However, you can earn 2% cash back when you use the DasherDirect card to purchase gas.
• To make $500 a week on DoorDash, be strategic in how you accept orders. Be patient and only take large orders.
• It may be tempting to quickly accept the first order that comes your way, especially when you're starting out. However, you might be well served to pass on a small order in favor of accepting a large order. Large orders have a higher base pay, and customers typically tip as a percentage, so larger orders will also come with higher commissions.

Daria Uhlig and Chris Ozarowski contributed to the reporting for this article.

Information is accurate as of May 22, 2023.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.

Delivery Side Gigs How Much They Pay How Much Do Grubhub Drivers Make? How Much Do Lyft Drivers Make? How Much Do Shipt Drivers Make? How Much Do Uber Eats Drivers Make? Reviews Amazon Flex Review Postmates Driver Review Comparison DoorDash vs. Uber Eats Postmates vs. DoorDash

Our in-house research team and on-site financial experts work together to create content that’s accurate, impartial, and up to date. We fact-check every single statistic, quote and fact using trusted primary resources to make sure the information we provide is correct. You can learn more about GOBankingRates’ processes and standards in our editorial policy .

• Indeed. "Average Salaries at DoorDash."
• ZipRecruiter. "How Much Do Full Time Doordash Delivery Driver Jobs Pay per Month?"

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40-year-old delivers for DoorDash to help pay down her $100,000 student loan debt—on top of her full-time job

This story is part of CNBC Make It's  Millennial Money  series, which details how people around the world earn, spend and save their money.

Shonnita Leslie always had a passion for education. But by the time she earned her bachelor's degree in sociology and master's of education in psychology with a concentration in school counseling in 2009, her student loan debt had ballooned to around $101,000 and she was struggling to make payments.

"Because I graduated during the Great Recession, it was really hard for me to get on my feet and find my first stable job working full-time to make enough to even pay the minimum," she tells CNBC Make It.

Leslie was eventually able to find work as a certified school counselor at a public school in Connecticut, where she's from, earning enough to make her minimum student loan payments.

However, she wanted to be able to pay off her debt more quickly. She ended up moving to Houston, Texas, where she earns $65,000 between her full-time role as a program manager at a university, and part-time work as a DoorDash driver and freelance writer.  

"I was welcomed with open arms here in Houston," she says. "I absolutely love it here."

Here's how she balances multiple jobs while continuing to pay down her student loans.

Choosing a career in education: 'This is the work that I love'

Growing up in Connecticut, Leslie was surrounded by family members who were educators, which influenced her to pursue a career in the field.

However, she didn't factor in how much she would be able to earn working in education, compared with the student loan debt she would need to take on in order to gain the proper credentials, she says.

"I was always following my passion instead of really thinking logically about the career field versus the income," she says. "Education is one of those few fields where you need a high level of education versus the amount of money that you will be compensated for."

Although Leslie has been chipping away at her student loan debt for about 15 years, she says it's been worth it in order to pursue her passion.

"This is the work that I love," she says. "I love giving people information that I didn't have."

Qualifying for student loan forgiveness: 'I was completely relieved'

At the end of the 2017 school year, Leslie's district underwent massive layoffs and her school ended up closing, prompting her to move to Houston. She had family in Texas and knew the cost of living would be cheaper than in Connecticut.

She initially landed a job at a charter school. A year later, she was offered a job as a program manager at a university, which she still holds today. She continued repaying her student loans, but her payments only went toward the accumulated interest. Despite making consistent payments, her principal balance remained at $101,000.

Luckily, Leslie's years as a school counselor had set her on track to qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness , and continuing to work in public education put her even closer every year.

In 2022, she finally had $60,000 in federal loans forgiven through the PSLF program. "I was completely relieved," she says.

Earning thousands delivering for DoorDash

However, since Leslie had private student loans that didn't qualify for forgiveness, she still had a balance of around $40,000, so she decided to pick up a part-time job as a DoorDash delivery driver.

"I just wasn't making enough money to make a dent in my debt and I knew I could do it a lot quicker if I had something like DoorDash to help compensate my full-time earnings," she says.

Over the course of five years, from 2018 to 2023, Leslie earned around $72,000 total working part-time as a DoorDash delivery driver.

She initially bought a certified preowned car to make deliveries, but it came with even more debt. Leslie used her early DoorDash earnings to eliminate her car loan, then began throwing the rest at her remaining student loan balance.

The amount she earns each year depends on how many hours she worked. When she began in 2018, she earned around $6,324. By the next year, she had more than doubled her earnings to nearly $18,000.

Leslie usually makes deliveries after work on weekdays, and enjoys being able to use the flexible hours to her advantage. At one point, she was working an average of 30 hours a week through DoorDash in addition to her full-time job. Currently, she only spends about five hours a week on the side hustle.

DON'T MISS:  The ultimate guide to earning passive income online

But Leslie's hard work has paid off. As of 2024, she has whittled down her remaining balance to around $18,000.

"It was really important that I got a lot of my student loan debt taken care of because then I was able to dedicate that back into myself and my health and my mental wellness," she says.

Living without a car in Houston

By 2023, Leslie's car was experiencing significant mechanical issues. One night, it almost caused her to be stranded while making a delivery.

Leslie decided to sell it and use the money to buy an electric bike, which she now uses to get to work and make deliveries.

"I intentionally did not decide to buy a new car," she says. "I had pretty much covered a lot of my debt that I wanted to pay off anyways, so it was a really great time to just kind of move on and not have a car."

Plus, she says not having a car saves her money due to not needing to pay for parking, car insurance and other related expenses.

"Getting around Houston has been actually pretty easy," she says. "When I'm going to the grocery store, for example, I can put all my groceries in my saddlebags and that kind of takes care of everything. It's also really great to use the metro rail line."

How she spends her money

Here's how Leslie spent her money in February 2024.

• Housing and utilities: $1,408 for rent on a loft apartment, heat, water, electricity and Wi-Fi
• Insurance: $622 on health, dental and vision insurance
• Discretionary: $436 on household goods and shopping
• Retirement savings: $400 toward 403(b)
• Food: $271 on dining out and groceries
• Subscriptions and memberships: $245 on her gym membership and Hulu subscription
• Student loan repayment: $238 toward her remaining private student loan balance
• Phone: $47 for her phone bill

Leslie uses the zero-sum budgeting strategy to manage her money, which means she assigns every dollar of her paycheck toward her various expenses.

"I allocate every single dollar until it hits zero so that I understand where every expense came from," she says.

She makes sure to factor splurges into her budget as well, such as buying workout clothing from GymShark.

"Even if you're still paying off debt, you still have to have some level of a lifestyle," she says. "I do enjoy making sure that I have proper workout clothes and like to make sure I'm looking presentable."

One financial tool Leslie doesn't use is credit cards. Although when used responsibly, credit cards can help you build up your credit score and earn perks like travel rewards, she wants to avoid taking on any more debt while she focuses on paying down her student loans.

"I could always get into more debt if I want more debt," she says. "In the meantime, my focus [is on] the debt that I currently have."

Leslie has around $1,000 in savings, which she says is enough to cover any unexpected expense that may arise. "I haven't really needed to build a larger emergency fund yet because my liabilities are so low at the moment and I have insurance," she says.

She also has around $96,000 saved for retirement between her 403(b) plan and Roth IRA.

Working toward a debt-free future

Although Leslie says her student loan debt is at a more manageable level, she plans to continue working part-time as a DoorDash delivery driver for now.

"I don't have to do it," she says. "I like having the appeal of having multiple streams of income."  

She also started her own small business, Noir in Color , where she offers her freelance writing services on topics like personal finance and side hustle ideas.

She knows she'll eventually want to own a home that she could rent out. However, she says she prefers renting for now because it's cheaper. After she pays down her student loans, she plans to work on boosting her credit to qualify for the best terms on a mortgage.

"I felt it was also essential that I continue to rent for right now until I'm able to feel comfortable enough to want to take on a large amount of debt all over again," she says.

Ultimately, Leslie looks forward to one day clearing her debt and spending her time as she pleases.

"My version of the American dream is just to be debt-free and live life on my own terms," she says.

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2023 Annual Average Domestic Air Fares Decreases from 2022

BTS  18-24

Fourth Quarter 2023 Fares Increase 4.6%, Adjusted for Inflation, from Previous Quarter

The 2023 annual average domestic itinerary air fare of $382 decreased 3.1% from the 2022 inflation-adjusted annual fare of $394.  

Annual Air Fares

Inflation-adjusted Annual 2023 fare: $382 All years: Down 36.4% from the highest fare for any year, $600 in 2000 Start of BTS records in 1995: Down 34.7% from 1995 ($584) Recent high: Down 10.1% from 2018 ($424)

Unadjusted  Annual 2023 fare: $382 From previous year: Up 0.9% from 2022 ($378) All years: Down 3.8% from the highest fare for any year, $396 in 2014 Start of BTS records in 1995: Up 30.6% ($292) (compared to 99.9% consumer price index increase) Recent low: Up 30.54% from 2020 ($292)  

Fare calculations by BTS Itinerary Fares: Round-trips but include one-ways if no return is purchased. Breakout of trip types: one-way, 39% ($274); round-trip: 61%, ($466).

Based on a random sample of 10% of tickets.  Total ticket value: The price charged by airlines at time of ticket purchase. Included: All fees and charges levied by an air carrier required for the passenger to board the aircraft.   Also, additional taxes and fees levied by an outside entity at time of ticket purchase.  Not included: Fees for optional services, such as baggage fees.   

Fourth Quarter 2022 Air Fares

The average U.S. domestic air fare in the fourth quarter of 2023 was $385, increasing 4.6% from an inflation-adjusted third quarter 2023 fare of $368.    Adjusted for inflation (constant 2023 dollars) the average 4Q 2023 air fare was:

• Up 6.4% from 4Q 2021 ($361)
• Up 4.6% from 3Q 2023 ($368) 
• Down 9.6% from 4Q 2019 ($426)  

Itinerary Fares: Round-trips, but includes one-way tickets if no return is purchased. Breakout of trip types: one-way, 39% ($274); round-trip, 61% ($468).

Inflation-Adjusted Average Air Fares    Fourth Quarter 2023 fare: $385 Compared to all fourth quarters: Down 35.9% from the highest 4Q fare, $600 in 2000.  Compared to all quarters: Down 37.8% from the highest fare for any quarter, $619 in 1Q 1999. Start of BTS records in 1Q 1995: Down 36.3% ($604). Recent high: Down 1.1% from 2Q 2019 ($428) Recent low:  Up 33.0% from 3Q 2020 ($289). All-time low: Up 33.0% from the previous low 3Q 2020 ($289). All-time fourth-quarter low: Up 25.1% from the previous low 4Q 2020 ($307).

Unadjusted Average Air Fares    Fourth Quarter 2023 fare: $385 Trend: Up 4.6% from 3Q 2023 ($368) Compared to all fourth quarters: Down 2.7% from the highest 4Q fare, $395 in 2014 Compared to all quarters: Down 4.3% from the highest fare for any quarter, $402 in 2Q 2014 Start of BTS records in 1Q 1995: Up 29.6% ($297) (compared to 100.0% consumer price index increase) Recent low: Up 57.2% from 3Q 2020 ($245) Recent high: Down 3.1% from 2Q 2022 ($397) All-time low: Up 57.2% from 3Q 2020 ($245) All-time fourth-quarter low: Up 47.6% from 4Q 2020 ($261).  

Fares by Airport Group

Fares by airport group:

Highest: 11 airports with 2.0+ million originating passengers ($392). Lowest: 4 airports with 1.5-1.99 million originating passengers ($369).

Additional data: see Top 100 Airports or All Airports . First Quarter 2024 average fare data will be released July 16.    

Retail | Colorado has second-lowest gas price in country…

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Retail | Colorado has second-lowest gas price in country at average of $3.16 a gallon

Prices expected to rise as summer travel starts, and as new gasoline blend is required along northern front range.

Colorado has the second-lowest gas prices in the country — for now. The statewide average price is $3.16 for a gallon of regular unleaded gas, 51 cents below the national average.

The statewide average is down from $3.58 per gallon at the same time in 2023 and up about 10 cents on the month, AAA Colorado said Thursday.

“Coloradans should make the most of comparatively low prices while they can,” Skyler McKinley, regional spokesman for AAA, said in a statement.

McKinley said expectations of an upcoming robust summer travel season coupled with the federally mandated switchover to reformulated gas mean it likely won’t be long until Colorado’s gas prices climb to above the national average.

In 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency classified Denver and the northern Front Range as “severe” violators of federal air quality standards, which requires motorists to use a special blend of gasoline that reduces harmful emissions. Retailers will sell the reformulated gas June 1 through Sept. 15.

McKinley said people can expect to start seeing increases in May as refineries switch over.

Gas prices could rise up to 20 to 30 cents per gallon, McKinley said. He attributed the current low prices in part to lackluster domestic demand and decreasing oil prices. Conflicts in the Middle East recently sent the price into the upper $80s per barrel.

The states with the cheapest gas are:

• Mississippi, $3.11
• Colorado, $3.16
• Louisiana, $3.18
• Oklahoma, $3.22
• Arkansas, $3.23
• New Mexico, $3.26
• Tennessee, $3.26
• Kansas, $3.26
• Alabama, $3.27
• South Carolina, $3.27

The states with the priciest gas are:

• California, $5.45
• Hawaii, $4.78
• Washington, $4.67
• Nevada, $4.63
• Oregon, $4.44
• Alaska, $4.37
• Arizona, $4.13
• Utah, $3.96
• Illinois, $3.96
• Idaho,  $3.93

Colorado gas by the numbers:

Boulder – Longmont • Current average: $3.08 • Year ago average: $3.53 • Highest recorded average: $4.92 (6/23/22)

Greeley • Current average: $3.09 • Year ago average: $3.51 • Highest Recorded Average: $4.86 (6/20/22)

Denver • Current Average: $3.11 • Year Ago Average: $3.53 • Highest Recorded Average: $4.89 (6/21/22)

Colorado Springs • Current average: $3.12 • Year ago average: $3.53 • Highest recorded average: $4.95 (6/20/22)

Fort Collins – Loveland • Current average: $3.13 • Year ago Average: $3.60 • Highest recorded average: $4.86 (6/20/22)

Grand Junction • Current average: $3.16 • Year ago average: $3.45 • Highest recorded average: $4.95 (6/29/22)

Pueblo • Current average: $3.18 • Year ago average: $3.59 • Highest recorded average: $4.96 (6/21/22)

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