Delivery Earnings Calculator
DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart, and more. Factor in tips, mileage, and time.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1.Select your delivery platform
- 2.Enter average base pay and tips per delivery
- 3.Add deliveries per hour and weekly hours
- 4.Review net earnings and compare platforms
Maximizing Delivery Earnings
Multi-apping: Most experienced drivers run 2-3 apps simultaneously. This minimizes dead time between orders and lets you choose the best-paying deliveries.
Strategic Timing: Peak pay periods, especially lunch and dinner, usually pay better but also attract more competition. Some drivers find late-night hours more profitable in dense markets.
Accept/Decline Strategy: Most experienced drivers decline orders under $1/mile and aim for $2/mile or better. Low-tip orders rarely make financial sense once vehicle costs are included.
Common Questions
Which delivery app pays the best?
It varies by market. Instacart often has higher per-order pay ($15-25) but fewer orders/hour. DoorDash and Uber Eats offer more orders ($7-12 each). Amazon Flex pays block rates ($18-25/hr). Try multiple apps to see what works in your area.
How much can I make doing food delivery?
Gross earnings typically range $15-25/hour during busy times. After vehicle costs and taxes, net is usually $10-18/hour. Peak hours (lunch 11-2, dinner 5-9) pay better. Weekends often outperform weekdays.
Should I accept every delivery order?
No. Most experienced drivers decline orders under $1/mile. Low-tip orders rarely make financial sense after vehicle costs. Being selective improves your effective hourly rate, though acceptance rate matters on some platforms.
Is multi-apping worth it?
Yes, for most drivers. Running 2-3 apps minimizes dead time between orders. Just don't accept orders from multiple apps simultaneously - late deliveries hurt ratings and can get you deactivated.
Methodology & Limits
How it works
This calculator calculates a driving & delivery scenario from your inputs, then surfaces the result as decision-oriented numbers.
Assumptions
Uses current tax rates, vehicle costs assumptions where relevant.
Use it as a screen
Treat the output as a planning estimate. Share the current scenario URL when you want to revisit or compare assumptions. Validate the numbers with real payouts, costs, deadlines, and local rules before committing money.
Next action
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