Do you want to work as a DoorDash driver? If you want to save more money, you might wonder, “does DoorDash pay for gas?” Let’s find out!
Working as a driver for a delivery services app will make you wonder if they will also give money for fuel costs. After all, the fuel price is costly, and you would want to save more of your income as a delivery driver.
Now, the question is, does DoorDash pay for gas?
The short answer to that is “no.” DoorDash does not pay extra for the gas used by its drivers.
Keep reading this article to learn more about why and, most importantly, some DoorDash hacks to maximize your DoorDash money-making gig.
Driving for DoorDash
DoorDash is a food delivery service platform that is quickly gaining popularity. It allows customers to order food from their favorite restaurants and have it delivered to their doorsteps, which means a constant demand for restaurant delivery drivers.
DoorDash Helps Save on Gas
Driving for DoorDash is an excellent way to earn extra cash; plenty of perks and benefits also come with the job. You can learn more details in our complete DoorDash review.
As a DoorDash driver, you can earn cashback on every dollar spent, including gas! You can use your DoorDash debit card to make purchases anywhere, not just at gas stations. Whether picking up groceries or getting your nails done, you can redeem cash on every purchase.
With the DoorDash Gas Card, you’ll get discounts of up to $0.30 per gallon, which means you can save money big time at the pump. Plus, there’s no annual fee! It’s easy to keep your costs down.
Consider using a cashback or debit card with rewards at the pump to save on gas. Sunoco, Mastercard, and Sam’s Club have gas cards that offer up to 5% cash back on purchases. These credit reward cards can help cut down the cost of fuel to a greater extent.
For example, the Shell Fuel Rewards and American Express cards give drivers 3 cents off per gallon of gas, up to 20 gallons per month.
Some cards offer discounts at specific gas stations, like the Costco Anywhere Visa Card, which gives 4% cash back on Costco gasoline purchases (including those made at Costco warehouses) up to $7,000 per year.
DoorDash Does Not Pay for Gas
Despite its popularity, there are some downsides to working for DoorDash.
First and one of the biggest complaints is that the company doesn’t reimburse drivers for the cost of gasoline, which can be a significant expense, especially if you are doing a lot of deliveries.
Second, DoorDash delivery is generally done by car, so drivers already have a vehicle they use for personal transportation, meaning they wouldn’t incur additional costs using their car for work.
DoorDash delivery also generally requires short trips, making gas costs relatively low.
Lastly, DoorDash orders are typically placed online or through the app, so customers don’t tip in cash. The drivers rely on DoorDash’s pay structure to earn income, and gas reimbursement would add to the company’s overhead costs.
DoorDash Gas Relief
DoorDash drivers, rejoice! The company has just announced a new gas relief program that will help you offset the cost of gas while you’re on the job.
As a DoorDash driver, you know that gas can be one of your biggest expenses. But what if we told you that you could earn 10% back on every gallon of gas you pump?
With the DasherDirect prepaid Visa debit card, you can get gas rewards every time you hit the pump. Plus, every week you complete at least 100 miles of deliveries, you’ll earn an extra $5 bonus. That’s like getting free money just for doing your job!
And if you want to rake in the rewards, try to hit 175 miles for an extra $10 bonus or 225 miles for a $15 bonus.
With gasoline prices always fluctuating, this is an incredible way to save money and make your job a little more affordable. So, next time you’re filling up, remember to use your DasherDirect card to get those sweet, sweet gas rewards.
5 Tips on How to Save on Gas as a DoorDash Driver
As a DoorDash driver, you know that gas is one of your biggest expenses. And with prices rising constantly, it’s more important than ever to save on gas whenever possible.
But how can you save on gas without sacrificing your earnings? Here are a few tips.
1. Watch Your Driving Behavior
As a DoorDash driver, saving on gas is essential to maximize your earnings. While you can’t control the gas price, you can control your driving behavior. You can significantly reduce fuel consumption and stretch your gas budget further by tweaking your driving attributes.
You can also drive more slowly; it’s one of the easiest ways to save on high gas prices. While reaching your destination may take a bit longer, you’ll use far less fuel at lower speeds.
As for air conditioning, avoid it as much as possible. Instead, open the windows to let the fresh air in.
When breaking, do so slowly and smoothly to minimize wear and tear on your brakes.
Finally, ease into accelerations rather than flooring the gas pedal.
2. Choose the Right Car
To be a DoorDash driver, you need to choose the right car. But what is the “right” car? Well, it depends on a few factors.
First, think about the kind of driving you’ll be doing. If you are mostly delivering in urban areas, a smaller car might be best. If you’re driving in rural areas, you might want a bigger car with more horsepower.
Second, consider your budget. If you’re looking for a fuel-efficient car that won’t break the bank, look at hybrids or electric cars. They may cost more upfront, but you’ll save money on gas in the long run.
Finally, think about your lifestyle. An SUV might be right for you if you need a car that can seat multiple passengers or haul large items. But if you want something more compact and easy to park, a sedan or coupe would be a better choice.
3. Use Compatible Gas App to Save Money
As a DoorDash driver, you know that gas is one of your biggest expenses. However, did you know about the apps that can help you save money on gas? GetUpside and Gasbuddy are two great apps that offer cash-back rewards when you purchase gas at participating gas stations.
With GetUpside, you simply enter your location and select the gas station you want to visit. Then, you scan your receipt after filling up and earn cash back on your purchase.
Gasbuddy also offers cash-card rewards on gas, but with a twist. With GasBuddy, you must first find a participating gas station and purchase a GasBuddy card. You’ll use the card to pay for your gas, and then you’ll earn rewards based on the amount of gas you buy.
4. Use a Gas Mileage Tracking App
App-based driving services like DoorDash have made earning money on your schedule easier, but one of the biggest expenses for any driver is gas.
Fortunately, several apps can help you track your mileage and save money at the pump.
Hurdlr is a handy app that automatically tracks your mileage and lets you know when you’re due for a refill. With rising gas prices, using a mileage tracking app is a convenient way to save money smartly and keep more hard-earned cash in your pocket.
5. Increase Your Fares
If you’re a DoorDash driver, you know that gas prices can affect your earnings. However, there is a simple way to offset the cost of gas and keep more of your hard-earned money: by raising your fares! That’s right; you can save money in the long run by charging a little bit more per delivery.
Here’s how it works: by increasing your fares by just $0.10 per delivery, you can earn an extra $20 per week – which means you’ll spend less on gas overall.
Raise your rates today and start putting more money in your pocket tomorrow!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Does DoorDash Pay For Gas?
Does DoorDash Help With Gas?
Yes, DoorDash does help with gas. While the company doesn’t reimburse drivers directly for gas, it does offer many ways to save money on gas.
For example, DoorDash has partnered with GetUpside and Gasbuddy to offer cash rewards credit when you make purchases at participating gas stations.
Will DoorDash Pay More Because of Gas?
No, DoorDash will not automatically pay more because of gas. However, you can raise your fares to offset the cost of gas and keep more of your hard-earned money.
How Do You Make $100 a Day on DoorDash?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as earnings will vary depending on factors such as the time of day, the delivery location, and the type of orders.
But one way to make $100 daily on DoorDash is to complete 20 deliveries at $5 each.
Can I Use My DoorDash Red Card for Gas?
No, you cannot use your DoorDash Red Card for gas.
The DoorDash Red Card is a prepaid debit card used to pay for DoorDash orders but cannot be used to purchase gas.
Conclusion – Does DoorDash Pay For Gas?
DoorDash does not pay for its drivers’ gas expenses, and as an independent contractor that considers gas as one of your business costs, it pays to strategize to make the most of your DoorDash side hustle.
May the above tips give you a push, jump-starting your driving gig. Drive smart and earn much!
Related reads:
- Postmates Vs. DoorDash – Best Side Hustle For Drivers?
- 40+ Best Side Hustle Ideas [Make Extra Money]
Founder of Spark Nomad, Radical FIRE, Journalist
- Expertise: Personal finance and travel content
- Education: Bachelor of Economics at Radboud University, Master in Finance at Radboud University, Minor in Economics at Chapman University.
- Over 200 articles, essays, and short stories published across the web.
Experience: Marjolein Dilven is a journalist and founder of Spark Nomad, a travel platform, and Radical FIRE, a personal finance platform. Marjolein has a finance and economics background with a master’s in Finance. She has quit her job to travel the world, documenting her travels on Spark Nomad to help people plan their travels. Marjolein Dilven has written for publications like MSN, Associated Press, CNBC, Town News syndicate, and more.