Calculate net earnings per delivery after deducting mileage costs. See your real per-hour income as a DoorDash or Instacart driver.
Delivery gig work through apps like DoorDash, Instacart, UberEats, and Grubhub seems like easy money, but the per-delivery earnings are often lower than they appear. Each delivery involves driving miles that cost money in fuel, maintenance, and vehicle depreciation.
This calculator shows your true net earnings per delivery by subtracting your actual per-mile vehicle costs from the delivery fee and tip. It also computes your effective hourly rate so you can compare delivery driving against other work options.
Many delivery drivers don't track costs per delivery and are surprised to find that some deliveries actually lose money when vehicle costs are included. By understanding the math, you can cherry-pick profitable deliveries, set minimum standards, and maximize your true hourly rate.
Whether you drive a compact sedan, a full-size SUV, or a pickup truck, accurate delivery driver cost figures help you plan smarter and avoid costly surprises at the pump or dealership. Use this tool regularly to track changes over time and adjust your transportation budget accordingly.
Each delivery costs $1–$5 in vehicle expenses (fuel + wear) depending on distance. Without tracking this, you can't know your real per-delivery and per-hour profit. This calculator helps you set minimum order thresholds to ensure every delivery is actually profitable. Results update instantly as you adjust inputs, making it easy to explore different scenarios and find the best option for your driving needs and budget.
Net Per Delivery = (Fee + Tip) − (Miles × Cost Per Mile) | Hourly Rate = (Net Per Delivery ÷ Minutes Per Delivery) × 60
Result: $8.20 net / $19.68 per hour
Fee $6 + tip $5 = $11 gross. Vehicle cost: 8 miles × $0.35 = $2.80. Net = $11 − $2.80 = $8.20. At 25 minutes per delivery, hourly rate = ($8.20 ÷ 25) × 60 = $19.68/hr.
Delivery gig apps show enticing earnings projections, but the real net income depends heavily on your vehicle costs, order selectivity, and market conditions. Understanding the per-delivery math is what separates profitable drivers from those working below minimum wage.
Your cost per mile includes fuel (gas price ÷ MPG), maintenance ($0.05–$0.10/mile), depreciation ($0.10–$0.20/mile), and incidentals (car washes, phone mount, etc.). For a car getting 28 MPG at $3.50/gal, fuel alone is $0.125/mile.
The most profitable delivery drivers decline 50–70% of offers, accepting only those with good pay-per-mile ratios. Aim for deliveries paying at least $1.50 per mile. Short deliveries with high tips are the sweet spot.
Position yourself near popular restaurants, drive during peak hours, learn your market's hot zones, and minimize wait times at restaurants. These strategies can increase hourly earnings by 30–50% compared to random acceptance.
After expenses, most delivery drivers earn $12–$22/hour. The range depends on market, time of day, and order selectivity. Drivers who cherry-pick high-payout orders average $18–$25/hour, while those who accept everything may average $10–$15/hour.
For a typical fuel-efficient car, total cost per mile is $0.25–$0.45 including fuel ($0.10–$0.15), maintenance ($0.05–$0.10), and depreciation ($0.10–$0.20). The IRS standard rate of $0.67/mile is a conservative upper estimate.
No. Selective acceptance is key to profitability. A good rule of thumb is $1.50–$2.00 per mile minimum. A 10-mile delivery for $5 nets very little after expenses, while a 3-mile delivery for $8 is much more profitable.
Tips typically make up 40–60% of total delivery driver income. Without tips, most deliveries are barely profitable. Areas with higher average tips (affluent neighborhoods, good weather) are generally more profitable delivery zones.
It depends. Delivery driving has no passengers (less stress, no small talk) and may offer more consistent short trips. Rideshare can pay more per hour during surge times and in busy urban areas. Many gig workers do both depending on demand.
Delivery drivers are independent contractors owing self-employment tax (15.3%) plus income tax. Deduct either the IRS standard mileage rate or actual expenses. Track all miles and costs. Consider quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid penalties.