If you’re looking for an easy side hustle and have free time, you can use your car to make money with driving apps.
To earn extra cash, download several apps, go through the application process, and start accepting gigs.
What Are the Best Apps That Pay You to Drive?
Using driving apps to make money can be a fantastic way to supplement your income. Before you start, it’s important to remember that most apps have similar requirements.
These include:
- Having a valid driver’s license and car insurance
- Agreeing to a background check
- Having a current smartphone
- Being 18 or 19 years or older in some cases
- Having a clean driving record
Assuming you meet the above criteria, you can start accepting gigs when your chosen platform approves you. Additionally, most delivery driving apps consider you an independent contractor, not an employee. Keep this in mind for tax purposes.
Here are the best apps that pay you to drive.
1. UberEats
Uber is one of the forerunners in the delivery and rideshare space. If you want to deliver for multiple apps, driving with Uber Eats is a good option to earn money on a flexible schedule.
The company is available in more than 10,000+ cities worldwide. You must be at least 19 years old to deliver with Uber Eats.
Additionally, your car must be no older than 20 years, and have at least two doors.
The earning potential to deliver varies and you can earn tips. Some cities allow a per mile or minute rate, which can positively impact earnings.
Earnings are paid weekly, though you can request an instant cash out for a $0.50 fee, which is waived if you use the Uber Debit Card.
If you prefer not to deliver restaurant meals, or want to increase your earning potential, you can also drive with Uber. This lets you drive riders to a chosen location.
2. DoorDash
DoorDash is an on-demand delivery app that lets you earn money by delivering meals from local restaurants to customers.
To get started, download the app and apply to become a Dasher. After you are approved to work for the platform, you can choose orders and deliver them to customers.
You must be 18 years old to register, and you can deliver by car, bicycle, or scooter.
With DoorDash, you can set your own schedule and get paid weekly via direct deposit. If you need funds immediately, you can request an instant payout for a minor fee.
Check out our guide on similar same-day pay jobs that offer instant cashouts.
Dasher pay depends on a few factors, including delivery times and tips.
3. Instacart Shopper
Instacart Shopper is one of the leading grocery delivery services that pays shoppers to purchase and deliver items to customers. It can be a great side hustle if delivering fast food doesn’t appeal to you.
You need to be at 18 or older, able to lift up to 30 pounds, and have a smartphone with an Android 5.0 or iOS 9 operating system or better to work for the app.
As a full-service shopper, you must have access to a vehicle to deliver orders.
Shifts are flexible, and you can make up to $20 hourly, including tips. However, reports indicate earnings are closer to $12 or $15 an hour.
Similar to DoorDash, working during busy times can earn you peak pay and increase your hourly rate. Payments are released weekly, but you can request an instant payout for a minor fee.
Don’t miss our review of how to become an Instacart Shopper for more information.
4. HopSkipDrive
Are you a stay-at-home parent looking to make money on the side? HopSkipDrive could be one of the top driving apps to make money.
As a CareDriver, you use the carpooling app to drive school kids to their various activities. If you’re already doing the same for your children, why not earn some extra cash in the process?
HopSkipDrive has some pretty extensive requirements, including a background and driving check. You must also be at least 23 years old and have at least five years of caregiving experience.
Furthermore, your car must be no more than ten years old.
The company claims drivers can earn up to $50 per ride. Pay is sent instantly via the Cash App.
5. Grubhub
Grubhub was one of the first players in the food delivery space. It’s a well-known option to deliver fast food to people or get meals from casual restaurants.
Similar to other popular driving apps, you can set your own schedule. Pay is released weekly, but you can receive payment at any time with Instant Cash Out. This costs $0.50.
Grubhub pays slightly more than other platforms. According to their site, you can earn $3.25 per delivery plus $0.50 per mile driven. Drivers indicate pay is around $15 to $19 per hour.
The one major drawback to Grubhub is that you have to select a specific delivery zone where you can accept orders.
If you live in a large city or like to utilize money-making apps when traveling, you may run into issues with Grubhub.
Consult our guide on ways to make money on the weekends if you want to find a more flexible way to earn cash as a delivery driver.
6. Shipt Shopper
Shipt Shopper is an excellent option to deliver groceries if Instacart Shopper isn’t for you. The company works similarly to Instacart and is one of the best delivery app gigs.
You accept customer orders, shop for the items, and deliver them.
Pay is slightly different with Shipt Shopper. You’ll earn a base commission of $5 per order plus 7.5 percent of the order total.
For example, if you accept an order that’s $150, you will receive $16.25 plus a potential tip. Pay varies, so it’s important to keep that in mind. However, after completing 100 deliveries, your earning potential increases.
Payments are sent weekly, but you can get paid immediately with instant payouts. These arrive via direct deposit for a $1.00 fee.
If you want to earn money driving, Shipt Shopper is a fantastic choice.
7. Amazon Flex
Amazon Flex is an excellent alternative to make money delivering packages instead of food. Working for the retail giant is competitive, and there aren’t always opportunities available.
The pay rate is what makes this one of the best side hustle ideas to consider. Drivers report that you can earn up to $20 per hour.
Tips are less consistent than with other delivery jobs. However, Amazon pays a guaranteed rate, so there is less fluctuation in income.
You must be at least 21 and have a reliable car to work for the company. Like other delivery app jobs, you must pass a background check to be approved.
Despite not always requiring drivers, Amazon Flex is among the top high-paying apps if you don’t want to rely on tips for income.
Don’t miss our Amazon Flex driver review to learn more.
8. Lyft
Lyft is among the largest rideshare apps and is available nationwide. As a Lyft contractor, you drive people in your city and receive base pay plus tips.
To drive for Lyft, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Be at least 21 years old
- Pass a background check
- Own a four-door car that meets local city requirements
- Possess a clean driving record
- Have valid auto insurance
You can choose your schedule with Lyft. Earnings average $16 per hour, including tips.
Pay is sent weekly via direct deposit, but you can use Express Pay to access earnings in real time for a $0.50 fee.
It’s also possible to use a Lyft Direct Debit card to access funds without fees.
9. HyreCar
If your car sits idle most of the week, you can use it to earn passive income. HyreCar allows you to rent your car to individuals. It is one of the more unique gig economy apps.
You start by opening an account and uploading photos of the car you want to rent.
Every rental comes with up to $1 million in liability insurance. The company can cover the cost of physical damage from vandalism, theft, and collision with add-on protection plans.
HyreCar claims the average user earns $720 per month using the platform. High-demand or exotic cars are likely to make more money.
The platform handles all rental management and vets every driver to ensure your safety.
10. Turo
Turo is an excellent alternative to HyreCar if you want to start earning money by renting your personal car.
When you list your car, you’ll pick the daily amount others can pay to rent the vehicle. It’s best to search the website to determine what prices other users have set for their vehicles.
After registering, you upload high-quality photos of your car. These photos give car owners a better chance of renting their vehicles.
Turo offers a service for free photos if you prefer not to take them yourself. The photographer is typically someone from your area, and they will come out for a 45-minute photoshoot of your car.
The Turo site claims that car owners can earn up to $6,500 annually, assuming the car is worth at least $20,000 and is available for 15 days each month.
11. Saucey
If you are at least 21 years old, you can work for Saucey to make extra money. This is an alcohol delivery service that lets you get paid to drive.
The app is growing and is available in most larger metro areas. Customers can get beer, wine, spirits, cigars, and snacks delivered to their door.
Saucey promises delivery within 30 minutes and runs from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. You must verify customers’ IDs before handing over ordered items since you’re delivering alcohol.
Reports indicate Saucey drivers earn $10 to $12 per hour. However, you can earn tips to increase your earnings. Pay is weekly, and you are unable to withdraw earnings instantly.
12. Gopuff
Gopuff is another fantastic way to make money driving. It has hundreds of facilities serving over 1,000 cities nationwide.
The biggest perk of delivering for Gopuff is that they have micro-fulfillment centers. This lets you pick up the customers’ orders rather than drive to different locations to fulfill requests.
Gopuff’s scheduling is similar to Amazon Flex. You reserve blocks of time for when you want to work. Drivers must also be 21 or older and pass a pre-paid alcohol delivery training course.
The average salary is roughly $19.85 an hour. You receive base pay, plus you can earn tips. While it doesn’t pay as well as Amazon Flex, it’s a good way to earn money driving while waiting for Flex to open in your area.
13. Dolly
If you don’t mind physical labor and own a truck, you can earn money by helping people move with Dolly. It is an on-demand moving and furniture delivery platform. People post their needs on Dolly, and you can claim requests that fit your schedule.
You must be at least 21 years old and able to lift up to 75 pounds to work for the service.
It’s possible to work for Dolly even if you don’t own a truck. All you have to do is drive to a Dolly location and hitch a ride on a truck to a specified location.
Pay is up to $40 per hour, including tips, making Dolly one of the best-paying driving apps to make money. However, pay is up to $25 an hour if you don’t have a truck.
Dolly pays twice weekly.
14. CitizenShipper
Do you love spending time with pets? You can make money driving them to their new home via CitizenShipper. Transporting pets can be traumatic for them, and this service makes their journey more comfortable.
Pet transport isn’t the only driving gig available through the app. You can also deliver some of the following items or packages:
- Boats and other water vehicles
- Freight
- Heavy equipment
- Household items
This driving app is different in that you place bids to win gigs. When customers select your bid, you collect the items and drive them to the new location, which can be nationwide.
CitizenShipper claims the average pay for drivers is $6,000 to $10,000 monthly. The typical gig pays at least $1,000.
15. Wrapify
If you drive frequently, using an ad wrapper from Wrapify is an easy way to make money. The company works with advertisers to put a “wrap” on your car to promote a specific product.
There are scammy companies in the car advertising space, but Wrapify is legit.
Each vendor has its own requirements, but most mandate that:
- You drive at least 25 miles daily or an average of 800 miles monthly
- You drive in high-trafficked areas
- The car is model year 2005 or newer
- The car has the factory paint job
- You have a good driving record
Your pay will depend on where you live, the style of your car, and how much of the vehicle is covered by the wrap. You can earn up to $500 monthly advertising on your car.
If you don’t want to make money delivering food, this could be a good option to earn extra cash.
16. Spark Driver
Spark Driver is Walmart’s answer to Amazon Flex. As a Spark Driver, you shop for and deliver groceries and other items to customers who order them from Walmart.
It works similarly to other popular driving apps. You claim orders within the app, purchase the items, and deliver them to the customer.
Walmart claims drivers can earn up to $15 an hour. You even get to keep 100 percent of the tips you receive.
Pay is distributed weekly, and there’s no option to withdraw earnings immediately like other delivery apps.
17. Roadie
Roadie is an on-the-way delivery platform that helps you make money while you deliver packages. The goal of Roadie is for delivery service partners to make simple local deliveries for money.
When you become a Roadie driver, you view requests within the app. Delivery categories typically include:
- Food
- Groceries
- Everyday essentials
- Luggage
- Furniture
Gigs display the pay, packages you’re delivering, and delivery distances. You can apply to complete deliveries, and customers approve you if they want you to complete their delivery.
Roadie is available in all 50 states. Drivers earn around $15 hourly, but long-haul deliveries with oversized items pay up to $650.
Pay is distributed weekly via direct deposit. You can also withdraw earnings instantly for a small fee.
18. This App Saves Lives
Safe driving apps award motorists for being responsible while on the road. The aptly named This App Saves Lives gives users points for practicing safe driving habits.
Qualifying activities require you to lock your phone screen and solely use it for navigation, hands-free calls, and music.
Although the app doesn’t pay cash, you can redeem points towards free gift cards to popular retailers.
19. Taskrabbit
Taskrabbit is an excellent alternative to the best driving apps if you’re looking for variety in your efforts to earn extra money. You can run errands for clients and do tasks around town.
It’s also possible to make money on the side by helping people move. The beauty of Taskrabbit is its variety of jobs.
Potential ways to start making money include:
- Furniture assembly
- Home repairs
- Mounting flat-screen TVs
- Moving furniture and boxes
- Painting
- Yardwork
Handyman jobs may not seem lucrative, but they can pay up to $60 per hour if you have a specialty skill like being an electrician or plumber.
Even if you don’t have a specialized skill, earning $20 to $40 an hour on Taskrabbit is easy, making it one of the best-paying driving apps. After creating a profile and getting approved, you can publicize your experience and search for opportunities.
It’s possible to work around your schedule, and the app handles all payments. You get paid weekly, making it a great way to get cash fast.
Similar to other favorite side gig opportunities, you’re an independent contractor when you claim work on the platform. If you want to get paid to drive and more, Taskrabbit is worth trying.
FAQs
Apps that pay you to drive can be an excellent side hustle option. Here are some common questions we receive from readers who are considering this opportunity.
What Driving App is Best?
Choosing the best delivery gig app depends on what you want to deliver. If you prefer delivering restaurant meals, DoorDash is a great choice.
However, if you don’t want to deal with food, Amazon Flex or Roadie could be better choices. Thankfully, you can drive for multiple apps, so try several to identify the best one for you.
Can You Drive For Multiple Driving Apps?
You can partner with multiple delivery app platforms simultaneously. Not all driving apps have the same peak times, so it’s best to use several to increase your earning potential.
Since you’re not considered an employee, you can drive for as many apps as you want.
Can You Earn a Living From Driving Apps?
Earning a living can be difficult with driving apps. It is possible, but orders are unpredictable.
Similarly, tips are unpredictable. It’s best to view these platforms as a good way to supplement your income. Additionally, learn tips and tricks from other drivers to help increase your earning potential.
Do Driving Apps Pay For Gas?
It is often unrealistic to expect apps that pay you to drive to reimburse you for gas or toll charges. In most cases, you are an independent contractor, not an employee.
This means you’re responsible for all fuel, tolls, and wear and tear on your vehicle. Keep that in mind when considering driving apps as a side hustle idea.
Bottom Line
Driving apps to make money can be a fantastic option to increase your earnings. Most platforms let you work on your own schedule and provide quick payouts.
If you need a flexible schedule and the opportunity to earn tips, delivery platforms offer an excellent way to make ends meet.
What’s your favorite way to make money on the side?
*Earning more on certain types of orders (ex. alcohol): Earn more per order as compared to restaurant orders. Actual earnings may differ and depend on factors like number of deliveries you accept and complete, time of day, location, and any costs. Hourly pay is calculated using average Dasher payouts while on a delivery (from the time you accept an order until the time you drop it off) over a 90 day period and includes compensation from tips, peak pay, and other incentives.
*Get paid instantly (DasherDirect): Subject to approval
*Cash out daily (Fast Pay): Fees apply
*Start Dashing today: Subject to background check and availability
*Dash anytime: Subject to availability
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