Free Simulator

DoorDash & Delivery Profit Calculator

Calculate your real earnings after expenses for DoorDash, UberEats, Grubhub, or any food delivery service

Weekly Earnings

$

DoorDash base pay + peak pay + bonuses

$

Total tips for the week

hours

Active + waiting time

deliveries

Total completed deliveries

Vehicle Expenses

miles

Total delivery miles this week

$
/gallon
mpg

Your car's fuel efficiency

$

Oil, tires, repairs (avg $0.05/mile)

Your Results

Net Profit This Week

$0.00

After all expenses

True Hourly Rate

$0.00

After expenses

Profit Per Delivery

$0.00

Average after costs

Total Earnings

$0.00

Base pay + tips

Gas Cost

$0.00

Weekly fuel expense

Tax Deduction

$0.00

IRS rate: $0.67/mile

Tips to Maximize Delivery Profits

  • -Focus on dinner rush (5-9 PM) and weekend lunch for higher tips
  • -Decline low-paying orders under $1/mile to maintain profitability
  • -Multi-app with UberEats, Grubhub, and Instacart to reduce wait time
  • -Stay in areas with high restaurant density to minimize driving
  • -Track every mile driven for tax deductions - it adds up quickly

Understanding DoorDash Earnings

How Much Do DoorDash Drivers Make?

DoorDash drivers (Dashers) typically earn between $15-25 per hour before expenses during busy periods. However, actual take-home pay after gas and vehicle wear can range from $10-20 per hour. Your earnings depend heavily on your market, the time you dash, and how selective you are with orders.

Unlike traditional jobs, DoorDash pay varies significantly. Peak hours (lunch 11am-2pm and dinner 5pm-9pm) offer the best earning potential, while slow periods may result in long waits between orders.

DoorDash Pay Structure Explained

Base Pay: $2-10+ per delivery based on distance, duration, and desirability of the order.

Tips: 100% of customer tips go to you. Tips are shown upfront (though DoorDash may hide tips over $4 in some markets).

Peak Pay: Extra $1-5 per delivery during busy times, shown as red zones on the map.

Challenges & Bonuses: Complete X deliveries for extra pay. Check the app regularly for these promotions.

The $1/Mile Rule for Delivery Drivers

Many experienced Dashers follow the "$1 per mile" minimum rule. If an order pays $8 and requires 10 miles of driving, it's generally not worth accepting. This rule helps ensure you're not losing money on gas and vehicle expenses.

Some drivers use even stricter rules like $2/mile in high-cost markets. Use your acceptance rate strategically - DoorDash no longer requires minimum acceptance rates to dash in most markets.

DoorDash vs UberEats vs Grubhub

Each delivery platform has pros and cons. DoorDash has the largest market share and most orders. UberEats often has higher base pay but fewer orders. Grubhub tends to have larger orders with better tips but limited availability.

Many top earners multi-app - running 2-3 apps simultaneously and accepting the best offers from each. This minimizes wait time and maximizes hourly earnings.

Best Hours for Food Delivery in 2025

Lunch rush (11am-2pm) and dinner rush (5pm-9pm) are consistently the best times for DoorDash and UberEats. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday typically offer 20-40% higher earnings than weekdays. Bad weather (rain, snow) often triggers surge pricing and higher tips.

Late night delivery (9pm-midnight) can be profitable in urban areas with bars and restaurants open late. Holidays like Super Bowl Sunday, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day are among the highest-earning days of the year.

DoorDash Top Dasher Requirements

Customer Rating: 4.7 stars or higher

Acceptance Rate: 70% or higher

Completion Rate: 95% or higher

Minimum Deliveries: 100 lifetime deliveries, 200 in last month

Note: Many drivers find Top Dasher status not worth the low-paying orders required to maintain 70% acceptance. Calculate if the perks outweigh accepting unprofitable deliveries.

Tax Tips for Delivery Drivers

As an independent contractor, you're responsible for paying self-employment tax (15.3%) on your net earnings. However, you can deduct business expenses to reduce your taxable income. The IRS standard mileage rate for 2025 is $0.70 per mile (up from $0.67 in 2024).

Track every mile from when you turn on the app until you turn it off. A driver who drives 15,000 miles per year can deduct over $10,000 from their taxable income. Use apps like Stride, Everlance, or Gridwise to automatically track your mileage.

Equipment Every Delivery Driver Needs

Essential Gear

  • - Insulated hot/cold bags
  • - Phone mount for dashboard
  • - Car phone charger
  • - Drink carrier/cup holder
  • - Flashlight for night deliveries

Nice to Have

  • - Catering bags for large orders
  • - Pizza bags
  • - Backup phone battery
  • - Seat covers for protection
  • - Hand sanitizer and wipes

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This simulator provides estimates based on your inputs. Actual earnings may vary.