Calculate your real earnings
Your true earnings
Why your app earnings aren't your real earnings
Uber and Lyft show you gross earnings — what riders paid before the app takes its cut. But even after the platform fee, you still have to pay for gas, vehicle wear and tear, maintenance, and self-employment tax. Most drivers who do this math for the first time are shocked at the result.
The costs most drivers underestimate
Vehicle depreciation is the big one. Every mile you put on your car for rideshare reduces its resale value. A rule of thumb: high-mileage driving adds $0.08–0.15 of depreciation cost per mile depending on your vehicle. Over 30,000 miles a year, that's $2,400–$4,500 in depreciation cost alone — which most drivers never count because it's not a cash expense they feel in the moment.
What's a "good" hourly rate for rideshare?
After all costs and taxes, most full-time rideshare drivers earn $12–$18 per hour in most markets. Peak hours, airport queues, and surge pricing can push this higher. Off-peak driving in low-demand areas often falls below minimum wage when you account for all costs. This calculator helps you find your actual number rather than guessing.