Calculate your delivery profit
Your delivery earnings
What delivery apps don't show you
When DoorDash shows you $18/hr, that's your gross earnings divided by your active delivery time. It doesn't include the time you spend waiting for orders, the gas you burn, the miles going off your car's lifespan, or the self-employment tax you owe at year end.
The hidden cost: vehicle wear
Delivery driving is hard on vehicles — stop-and-go urban driving, short trips that don't let engines warm up properly, and high mileage accumulation. IRS estimates $0.70/mile for total vehicle costs in 2025. Even using a conservative $0.30–0.35/mile, a driver doing 400 miles a week is spending $120–$140/week just keeping their car running.
Is delivery worth it?
That depends on your market, your vehicle, and when you drive. Top delivery drivers earn $18–22/hr true take-home by: working only peak hours (dinner rush, lunch, weekends), using a fuel-efficient vehicle, stacking orders on multi-app platforms, and tracking every deductible mile and expense.