Are you thinking about delivering food to earn some extra cash? Maybe you’ve seen a delivery guy drop off your neighbor’s dinner or heard a friend talk about the side hustle that helps them cover bills. It sounds simple: sign up, start delivering, and watch the money roll in.
But is it that easy? Is DoorDash a good side hustle? Is it worth your effort and time?
In today’s economy, people are looking for ways to earn some extra cash with a hustle that’s flexible and where they can work on their terms. Whether you are a student who is trying to cover your tuition fee, or a 9-5 employee looking for some extra money on the side, DoorDash promises a simple, and flexible way to earn.
In this article, we’ll find out if DoorDash is a good side hustle. We’ll talk about everything, the pros and cons, the challenges you might face, and the money you can expect to make.
So if you are ready, let’s break it down and find out the answer to our question. Is DoorDash a good side hustle and worth your time?
Table of Contents
What Is DoorDash?
DoorDash is a food delivery platform that connects customers with local restaurants via an app. As a delivery driver, your job will be to pick up the orders from restaurants and deliver them to customer’s doorsteps.
You’ll have the flexibility to choose when you want to start and where you want to work on that particular day. In simple terms, you have control over everything.
Is DoorDash a good side Hustle to start in the upcoming year?
DoorDash is operating in thousands of cities in the United States. According to Backlinko, the platform has 37 million active users in 2024. This is an insane number of users and it explains that no matter how many people say that this platform is too saturated, you will be able to find work. You just have to use a strategic approach to make the most of this.
Now, the next question that may arise in your mind is, why does DoorDash attract so many people seeking flexible work?
The answer lies in the question itself. This is because it has a low barrier to entry. You don’t need any fancy skills, signing up is simple. All you need is a vehicle, a smartphone, and the will to work.
Its low barrier to entry and the ability to earn money during peak hours such as meal times and festive seasons make it an appealing side hustle for people who don’t mind being around people.
If you’re still wondering if, is DoorDash a good side hustle, its popularity among side hustlers and consistent demand for food deliveries certainly make it worth exploring.
Instead of doing DoorDash as a side hustle, there are various other side hustles that you can do from the comfort of your home or in you local area by spending the same amount of time. In this article, you will find best side hustles ideas for 2025 that you can easily do to make more money.
Pros of DoorDash as a Side Hustle
If you are still thinking “Is DoorDash a good side hustle”, then there are plenty of reasons that support this question.
Here are some of the pros:
- DoorDash is flexible. This means that you can choose your schedule, which is perfect for anyone who has a busy routine. You can work during your lunch breaks, late evenings, or on weekends. Everything is in your control.
- It has an instant payout option which makes it worth it. If you need cash quickly, DoorDash offers a Fast Pay option that allows the dashers (delivery riders) to transfer their earnings instantly in exchange for a small fee.
- It allows you to stack orders. This means you can accept multiple orders during peak hours at once, and make more money in less time. This can significantly increase your income in less time. This is a great reason to give to someone who asks, is DoorDash a good side hustle?
One of the best things about DoorDash is that it frequently offers incentives like Peak Pay (extra money for delivering during busy times) and challenges (earning bonuses for completing a certain number of deliveries). If you’re asking yourself, is DoorDash a good side hustle for you, then these features make it clear why so many people are drawn to it.
Riders work even more to complete those challenges and sometimes these bonuses or challenges prices are like $200 which is insane. This means you can make more than $500 during some weeks.
Cons of DoorDash as a Side Hustle
Just like any other side hustle, DoorDash also has some cons. Before deciding is DoorDash a good side hustle for you, consider these downsides:
There will be wear and tear on your vehicle. Driving around for hours can significantly lead to higher maintenance costs depending on the condition of your vehicle. This can lead to more expenses. Fuel prices also change frequently so you will have to compare them to your daily earnings.
The demand is variable. This means that some days are busier than others. Demand will vary based on location, weather, and festive seasons. You can not rely on DoorDash as your full-time income because of this reason.
Your earnings will depend heavily upon where you deliver and when. Urban areas have a higher restaurant density and peak delivery times. The orders will be higher in areas with offices during lunchtime. During dinner time, residential areas will have more orders. You’ll have to choose what suits you best.
If you have been searching, “Is DoorDash a good side hustle for you?”, then you will get an answer by understanding these pros and cons and making an informed decision based on them.
How Much Can You Make with DoorDash?
One of the most common questions people ask when they are considering DoorDash as a side hustle is, How much can I make? Well, the money you will make can vary based on several factors, but let’s break it down so you can get a clear picture.
If you are still thinking about, “Is DoorDash a good side hustle?”, then read the factors below before making any decision.
Average Earnings per Delivery and Per Hour
According to Indeed, a DooDash driver makes $16.29/hour. But this depends on the distance covered, location, order size, and tips. This rate can significantly increase during peak hours or if you can stack orders.
So we can say, that DoorDash drivers make between $15-$25 an hour, this rate includes the effect of peak hours as well.
Earnings will vary every day. Some days there will be more orders in comparison to other days.
Your earnings will be made up of three elements:
- Base Pay
- Tips
- Bonuses
Base pay is the amount you’ll get from DoorDash after delivering an order. Tips will vary based on what customers tip you with. Bonuses are the amount you’ll earn from completing challenges and peak pay orders.
Factors That Will Affect Your Income
1. Location
Your earnings will depend on where you are delivering. Urban areas have more restaurant density and customer population so the earning potential will be higher here in contrast to rural or less populated areas.
2. Peak Times:
DoorDash usually offers Peak Pay during lunch (11 AM – 1 PM) and dinner (5 PM – 8 PM). This lets you earn an additional bonus and can boost your earnings. You can make extremely good money if you get lucky.
If you are still thinking, “Is DoorDash a good side hustle? “, stop thinking and start experimenting. You will never be able to decide if something is good for you or not unless you give it a try.
3. Customer Tips
DoorDash pays drivers a base rate for each delivery, and tips for customers can vary greatly. On average, the tips makeup 15% to 20% of the total bill and can even increase based on bigger order sizes, bad weather, etc.
The answer to “Is DoorDash a Good Side Hustle?” depends on all these factors. Your earnings will vary every single day and the amount of time you are willing to dedicate to this side hustle.
Tips to Maximize Your DoorDash Earnings
Here are four useful tips that can help you maximize your earnings on DoorDash:
Work During Peak Hours (Lunch/Dinner Times)
We have already established this. Peak hours are your best bet. Demand for food deliveries is the highest during lunch (11 AM – 1 PM) and dinner (5 PM – 8 PM) time.
DoorDash often offers Peak Pay, which adds extra money to each delivery you will be completing. This feature makes it an attractive option for those thinking, Is DoorDash a good side hustle?
These busy times are when you’ll find the most orders and the highest earnings potential, so if you are looking to earn the maximum amount of money in a day, make sure to schedule your shifts around these windows.
Accept Stacked Orders to Increase Efficiency
This means accepting several orders at one time. For example, if you are traveling towards a residential complex and get another notification for another order in that nearby area, why not accept it and complete multiple deliveries? This will also boost your earnings.
Focus on High-Demand Areas (“Hotspots”)
DoorDash uses an algorithm to identify “hotspots”. These are areas with high demand for deliveries. If you focus on these hotspots, you can increase your chances of getting more orders by getting higher-paying deliveries.
Use Tools Like Mileage Trackers to Save on Taxes
If you are driving for DoorDash, you can claim mileage and other vehicle-related expenses as tax deductions. For this, you should accurately track your mileage. You can use apps like Stride or MileIQ to log your trips. You can save money on tax if you have an accurate record of your expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do DoorDash drivers earn per hour?
DoorDash drivers typically earn between $15 and $25 per hour, depending on factors like location, time of day, and tips. The earnings can increase during peak hours or busy times with promotions like Peak Pay.
Can you do DoorDash part-time?
Yes, DoorDash is great for part-time work. You can choose when and how much you want to work. This makes it a flexible option for anyone who has a busy schedule.
Can I make $1000 a week with DoorDash?
Making $1000 a week with DoorDash is possible, but it requires working for long hours, especially during peak times. You will have to be consistent and work for some 40 hours a week.
Is it worth doing DoorDash on the side?
Yes, DoorDash can be a good side hustle if you’re looking for flexibility and extra income. It’s great for those who want to control their hours, but you should be aware of costs like gas and vehicle maintenance.
Is DoorDash A Good Side Hustle – The Bottom Line
In this article, we have tried to answer the question which is, “Is DoorDash a Good Side Hustle? ”. We have covered all important factors such as flexible working hours, income potential, and the pros and cons related to the DoorDash side hustle.
Many people will tell you that the place is overly saturated and it’s not a good thing to start. But the truth is that considering the world we are living in right now, everything is saturated at this point. You could look for different ways and ideas to boost your income.
For example, you could start a YouTube channel or Instagram account where you film yourself delivering food and engage your audience telling them how much time it took to deliver an order and how much you got paid.
When you’re deciding about the perfect side hustle for you, consider the pros, cons, timing, your free hours, earning potential, and your interests.
Just keep in mind, that to earn a consistent income, you will have to be strategic with your hours and location. So, in the end, is DoorDash a good side hustle?
Absolutely!
For many people who are looking for flexible working hours and want to do things on their schedule, this is a great side hustle.