Why I Decided to Track Every Dollar
I've been driving DoorDash on and off for about two years. This past week I committed to tracking every detail across seven days in Columbus, Ohio.
Day-by-Day Breakdown
Monday: 4 hours, 11 deliveries, $87
Lunch rush was underwhelming. Monday lunch is not the play unless you're in a dense downtown core.
Tuesday: 5 hours, 14 deliveries, $118
Dinner rush was solid. Three orders tipped over $10. $23.60/hour gross.
Wednesday: 3 hours, 8 deliveries, $62
Midweek slump. Knocked off early rather than waste gas chasing bad orders.
Thursday: 5 hours, 16 deliveries, $132
Rain + basketball game = best day. Peak pay bonus + high volume. $26.40/hour gross.
Friday: 6 hours, 19 deliveries, $168
Friday dinner rush is the bread and butter. Declined long-distance orders, stacked during peak 6-8:30pm. $28/hour gross.
Saturday: 7 hours, 22 deliveries, $195
Brunch + dinner double shift. Highest daily rate: $27.86/hour gross.
Sunday: 4 hours, 12 deliveries, $94
Slow afternoon. $23.50/hour gross — respectable but thin volume.
Weekly Totals
- Total hours: 34
- Total deliveries: 102
- Gross earnings: $856
- Average gross hourly: $25.18/hour
Expenses
- Gas: $127
- Car wash: $15
- Phone mount: $12
- Total expenses: $154
Net after expenses: $702 = $20.65/hour
Tax Reality
Self-employment tax is ~15.3%. IRS mileage deduction at 72.5 cents/mile for 387 miles = $280.58 deduction. After SE tax (~$89) and income tax set-aside (~$58):
True take-home: ~$595 = $17.50/hour
Is It Worth It?
When it works: Dense restaurant corridors, Thu-Sat evenings, fuel-efficient car, supplemental income.
When it doesn't: Rural areas, trying to replace full-time salary, driving an SUV, logging on at random times.
Top Tips
- Chase peak pay windows aggressively
- Know your city's hot zones
- Decline long-distance orders ruthlessly
- Double-shift Saturdays (brunch + dinner)
- Weather is your friend — rain = bonus days
- Track every mile for the mileage deduction
For one week in April 2026: $595 take-home for 34 hours of flexible work. For supplemental income with no boss and no schedule, DoorDash still works. Just go in with clear eyes about what you're actually keeping.