DoorDash Driver Review: The Real Numbers After Expenses

Placeholder article — replace this content before publishing.

DoorDash is the biggest food delivery platform in the US, which means it has the densest order volume in most markets. Dense order volume means less idle time, which matters more than the per-order rate when you’re trying to maximize hourly earnings.

But most DoorDash reviews skip the part that actually matters: what you net after expenses.

The Gross vs. Net Problem

Every positive DoorDash earnings post you’ve read is probably citing gross earnings — the number DoorDash puts in your weekly summary before you subtract anything.

Here’s what you actually need to subtract:

• Fuel — roughly $0.12–$0.18/mile depending on your vehicle and local gas prices
• Vehicle wear — the IRS mileage rate (67 cents/mile for 2024) is a fair proxy for true per-mile vehicle cost including depreciation, tires, and maintenance
• Self-employment tax — 15.3% on net earnings above ~$400/year
• Health insurance — if you’re counting this as full-time income and losing employer coverage

When drivers tell me they make $20–25/hour on DoorDash, they usually mean gross per active hour. After expenses and SE tax, the real figure is often $11–15/hour — closer to what a W-2 job paying $14–18/hour actually nets.

That’s not nothing. But it changes the math considerably.

When the Math Works

DoorDash makes sense as a meaningful income source if:

• You already own a fuel-efficient vehicle with low remaining depreciation
• You’re filling idle time (student, part-timer) rather than substituting for W-2 income
• You’re in a high-density market and can maintain strong acceptance/completion rates
• You treat it as a business — tracking mileage, saving for quarterly taxes, writing off expenses

When to Skip It

• High-cost-of-living markets with brutal traffic (your miles-per-delivery ratio tanks)
• If you’d be driving an older, fuel-inefficient vehicle with deferred maintenance
• If you’re expecting passive or flexible hours — active driving is physically tiring

Bottom Line

Do the math for your specific vehicle, market, and tax situation before treating gig delivery as a primary income source.