Calculate your actual take-home earnings after expenses for Uber, Lyft, or any rideshare driving
Total earnings before expenses
Include waiting time
Total miles while app is on
Miles per gallon
Oil, tires, repairs (avg $0.05/mile)
Net Profit This Week
$0.00
After gas and maintenance
Hourly Rate
$0.00
After expenses
Gas Cost
$0.00
Weekly fuel expense
Maintenance Cost
$0.00
Wear and tear
Tax Deduction Available
$0.00
IRS standard mileage rate ($0.67/mile)
Profit Margin
0.0%
Percentage kept after expenses
According to various studies, the average Uber driver earns between $15-25 per hour in gross earnings. However, after accounting for expenses like gas, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation, the actual take-home pay often drops to $10-18 per hour. This is why using a profit calculator is essential for understanding your true earnings.
Your actual earnings depend heavily on factors like your city, the hours you drive, your vehicle's fuel efficiency, and how well you manage expenses. Drivers in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco typically earn more due to higher demand and surge pricing opportunities.
For 2024, the IRS standard mileage rate is 67 cents per mile for business use. This means if you drive 1,000 miles per week for Uber or Lyft, you can potentially deduct $670 from your taxable income each week, or approximately $34,840 per year if you drive 52 weeks.
Important: You can only deduct miles driven while you have a passenger OR while you're actively looking for rides with the app on. Miles driven to and from your "office" (your starting location) are generally not deductible. Keep detailed records using a mileage tracking app to maximize your deductions.
Both Uber and Lyft have similar pay structures, but earnings can vary by market. Generally, Uber has more riders due to its larger market share, which can mean less downtime between rides. However, Lyft often has better surge (Prime Time) rates and some drivers report friendlier passengers.
Many successful rideshare drivers use both apps simultaneously (multi-apping) to minimize wait times and maximize earnings. Just be sure to turn off one app when you accept a ride on the other to avoid conflicts.
Peak hours for Uber and Lyft vary by city, but generally include Friday and Saturday nights (8pm-2am), morning rush hour (7-9am), evening commute (5-7pm), and special events like concerts, sports games, and holidays. Driving during surge pricing can double or triple your earnings per ride.
Airport runs are often lucrative, especially early morning flights and late arrivals. However, wait times at airport queues can eat into your hourly rate. Track your airport earnings separately to determine if they're worth your time in your market.
Age: Must be at least 21 years old (25 for Uber Black)
License: Valid driver's license with at least 1 year of driving experience (3 years if under 23)
Vehicle: 4-door car, typically 15 years old or newer depending on your city
Insurance: Personal auto insurance that meets state minimums
Background check: Must pass Uber's background check covering driving history and criminal records
Smart drivers don't rely on just one platform. Combine rideshare with food delivery during slow periods. Many Uber drivers also work DoorDash, UberEats, or Instacart to fill gaps between rides and maximize their hourly earnings.
Use our other calculators to compare your potential earnings across different gig platforms and find the most profitable combination for your schedule and vehicle.
This simulator provides estimates based on your inputs. Actual earnings may vary.