Drove for all three platforms in DFW for 6 months. Here are the real numbers.
DoorDash (400+ deliveries):
- Average per delivery: $6.50 (including tip)
- Average deliveries per hour: 2.5
- Gross hourly: ~$16.25
- After gas and car wear: ~$11-12/hour
- Best areas: Uptown, Plano Legacy, Frisco
- Worst areas: South Dallas, far suburbs (long drives between orders)
- Peak times: 11 AM-1 PM lunch, 5-8 PM dinner
Uber/Lyft (300+ rides):
- Average per ride: $11.50 (Uber) / $10.80 (Lyft)
- Average rides per hour: 2
- Gross hourly: ~$21-23
- After gas, insurance, and wear: ~$14-16/hour
- Best times: Friday/Saturday night 9 PM-2 AM, airport runs
- DFW Airport pickup lot: expect 30-45 min wait but airport rides average $25+
Instacart (100+ batches):
- Average per batch: $14 (including tip)
- Average batches per hour: 1.2
- Gross hourly: ~$16.80
- After gas and wear: ~$12-13/hour
- Best store: Costco orders (higher tips on bulk)
- Worst: Aldi orders (low tips, heavy items)
The reality:
- NONE of these pay minimum wage after expenses and self-employment tax (15.3%)
- Best as supplemental income, not primary
- Track EVERY mile for tax deductions (67 cents/mile in 2026)
- Car depreciation is the hidden cost nobody calculates
Sources:
- Personal earnings data — 6 months, all platforms, tracked in spreadsheet
- IRS — 2026 standard mileage rate
- Gridwise — gig economy earnings tracker
- Rideshare Guy — DFW market analysis