Best ways to make money driving: What driving apps pay the most?

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by Aidan Kang, CFA

Senior Writer

Make Money

UPDATED: October 13, 2022

Got a car, a smartphone, and a valid license? You can get paid to drive and make anywhere from $200 to $800 a week – AT LEAST.

And we’re not talking about wearing a tux and driving a shiny limo, either.

We’re talking about driving and doing regular things: getting people from point A to point B, delivering food and packages, or being a good driver (yes, seriously).

Plus, you own your schedule. Do it on the side, full time, or just when you need some extra cash.

Naturally, you don’t want to waste time and gas on apps that pay peanuts.

This article is the ultimate shortcut to getting paid for driving.

In this guide, we cover:

• How you can make money driving your car
• A giant list of the best driving apps to make money
• How much you can make from driving apps
• How to sign up to Uber, Lyft, Instacart, and many more

Ready to go the extra mile to make some extra cash?

Let's get this show on the road!

Best Ridesharing Apps to Make Money

The concept of ridesharing is simple: A driver uses their personal car to offer paid rides to passengers who request a ride through a smartphone app.

Here are some of the best rideshare apps for drivers:

Uber

Uber is a mobile app that connects riders to drivers in real-time.

How to sign up as an Uber driver:

• Go to the Uber website or download the app on your phone.
• Click “Sign up.”
• Enter your personal information in the fields provided.
• Then fill out the accompanying form with your license, car's VIN, insurance information, and other details required by Uber.
• Finish the registration.
• Wait to hear from an Uber representative via email or phone call.

Lyft

Lyft is a transportation network company that offers shared rides using drivers' personal vehicles.

As a Lyft driver, you can make around $17 an hour and more during peak hours like lunch and afterhours. The exact amount varies widely by city and demand.

How to sign up as a Lyft driver:

• Register on the Lyft website.
• Fill out the forms and submit the required documents.
• Undergo a background check.
• Wait for a confirmation from Uber if you passed the check and can start driving.

iCarpool

iCarpool is an app that matches carpoolers with empty seats in their cars with people who need a ride.

The passengers save money instead of paying for a taxi or getting their own ride, and drivers can make cash during their regular commute.

Each ride pays out between $12 and $25, depending on distance and traffic conditions.

You'll earn more per mile if you pick up clients during peak traffic times.

How to sign up as an iCarpool driver:

• Download the iCarpool app or sign up on the iCarpool website.
• Fill out the Driver Signup Form.
• Submit required documents.
• Wait for them to review and approve your application.

HopSkipDrive

Wondering which driving app makes the most money? HopSkipDrive deserves a spot on that list.

HopSkipDrive is a rideshare app exclusively for children of all ages, including pre-schoolers, school-aged kids to teens.

Drivers need childcare experience on top of the usual application requirements.

You can earn up to $40+ per ride with HopSkipDrive e. Rides can be scheduled days in advance or on an as-needed basis.

How to sign up as a driver for HopSkipDrive:

1. Visit the HopSkipDrive website and sign up.
2. Fill out the application form.
3. Upload documents.
4. Submit your application.
5. Wait for them to notify you if you've been approved or denied.
6. If you are approved, you may be asked to complete an in-person interview.

The application also includes a virtual orientation and a virtual meet and greet.

Best Delivery Apps to Make Money

Courier services like Amazon Flex send drivers on delivery runs to pick up and drop off packages at various locations.

You can get paid by the job or earn a regular income based on how much you work each week.

Here are some popular delivery apps for drivers:

Postmates

Postmates is a food delivery app that allows users to order from their local restaurants and have their meals delivered via bikes and/or cars within an hour.

Drivers can earn up to $25 per hour, depending on their location.

How to sign up as a driver for Postmates:

• Go to Postmates and sign up.
• Choose the types of jobs (like Delivery Driver, Express Delivery Driver, and Restaurant Deliveries) that interest you.
• Submit your application.
• Wait for approval and notice to begin.

Amazon Flex

Amazon Flex is a crowd-sourced delivery service. It’s used by Amazon to fulfill its quick delivery promise for Prime members.

Amazon Flex pays its drivers by the hour. Pay rates vary depending on what city you live in, but most drivers make between $18 and $25 an hour.

Drivers also get 100% of their tips, which can be significant considering that customers are encouraged to tip their drivers through the app.

How to sign up as a driver for Amazon Flex:

• Sign up on the Amazon Flex website.
• Complete the application form.
• Provide your driver's license, social security number (for background checks), and other requirements.
• Upload a photo of yourself.
• Submit your application.
• If approved, you'll receive further instructions on how to start earning money as an Amazon Flex Delivery Partner.

Roadie

Roadie is a delivery platform that connects drivers to people who need something transported, especially in the same general area where they’re headed.

You can earn anywhere from $8 to $650 depending on how far you’re traveling and how big the item you’re transporting is.

How to sign up as a driver for Roadie:

• Download the app or go to the Roadie website.
• Enter some basic information about you, your car, etc.
• Enter your schedule and the areas where you’re willing to drive.
• If you're approved, Roadie will start matching you with deliveries when you’re on the road and ready to go.

Favor

Favor is an app that allows you to complete errands for others and be rewarded.

This can include delivering groceries, dry cleaning, or taking out the trash. You can also get paid for driving others around town.

Favor drivers can earn $8 an hour, and even $50 an hour in some markets.

Drivers get to keep 100% of their tips.

How to sign up as a driver for Favor:

• Go to the Favor website and sign up as a Runner.
• Fill out your information and wait for a confirmation email.
• Once you receive the email, download the driver app and start earning.

Get Paid Delivering Food, Groceries, and Liquor

Apps like Instacart make it possible to earn a living delivering groceries, food, and alcohol from local restaurants and supermarkets directly to consumers' homes.

Note that in some apps, part of the job is actually shopping for the groceries and bagging them up before delivering them to the customer.

Try these apps:

Caviar

Caviar is an on-demand food delivery service that allows you to make money by picking up and delivering restaurant meals to customers.

As a Caviar driver, you can earn up to $25/hour, but it varies.

Popular times for deliveries usually mean more orders, and thus, more pay.

How to sign up as a driver for Caviar:

• Sign up on the Caviar website.
• Complete the online application
• Upload documents (e.g. driver’s license and proof of insurance).
• Verify identity (in person).
• Download the app and start earning.

InstaCart

InstaCart is a shopping service that lets users order items from local groceries, drugstores, and convenience stores.

As an InstaCart driver, you get paid to pick up customers' orders from their favorite stores and deliver them to their homes.

The average InstaCart driver makes $15-20 per hour. The more hours you work, the more you'll make. You can also make money by referring other drivers.

How to sign up as a driver for InstaCart:

• Go to the InstaCart website and submit an application.
• They'll get in touch with you if you're accepted.
• After you get accepted, InstaCart will get you set up so you can start making money ASAP.

UberEATS

UberEats is a food delivery service that is run through the Uber app.

It functions much like Uber, but instead of delivering riders from one location to another, you deliver food from restaurants to customers.

UberEATS drivers can make up to $25 per hour but the typical average earnings are around $11-$12 per hour.

How to sign up as a driver for UberEATS:

• Go to the Uber website. You can also download the Uber Driver app (not the rider app).
• Fill out your profile.
• Upload a photo of your car registration and insurance.
• Take a selfie to confirm your identity.
• Wait for Uber to process your information and reach out with the next steps.

DoorDash

DoorDash is a tech company that delivers food and other goodies to people's doors.

They have partnerships with many local businesses that hire DoorDash to get deliveries to their customers.

Drivers use the DoorDash app to pick up orders, then deliver them.

Dashers can earn $4 to $25 per delivery, depending on how far away your customer is from the restaurant or store.

You can also earn bonuses by recommending new customers or referring drivers who sign up with your code.

How to sign up as a driver for DoorDash:

• Apply to be a Dasher on the DoorDash website.
• You'll get notified if they want to interview you in person.
• If you pass this interview, you'll get an offer letter with information about our background check policy.
• If everything checks out, you'll receive an activation kit that includes a background check consent form, Dasher ID card, and more information about how the program works.
• Note that some cities require additional documentation in order to sign up.

Saucey

Saucey is an on-demand alcohol delivery service.

Users can order beer, liquor, and wine in 30 minutes or less by using the Saucey iOS & Android app or website, then receive their delivery from Saucey couriers (aka drivers).

A cool thing about Saucey is that aside from cars, couriers can also use bikes, scooters, motorcycles, or trucks.

You can expect to be paid around $15 per drop plus tips.

How to sign up as a driver for Saucey:

• Go to the Saucey website.
• Fill out an application.
• Saucey will reach out with more information and details about completing your background check.
• Once you’re approved, all you have to do is log in whenever you want, set your own schedule, and start making money by delivering alcohol.

Get Paid for Mileage and Driving Safe

Did you know that you can also get paid to drive safely?

These apps will use your location as well as some of the sensors on your phone to track things like not exceeding the speed limit, not braking too hard, and not accelerating too hard.

They automatically start tracking your activity when you hit a certain speed, such as 10 miles per hour. 

The longer you drive, the more miles you rack up, and the more you can earn rewards for driving.

Here are some great ones to try:

Miles

Miles is similar to a frequent flier program, except you get paid for the miles you drive on land or use any form of ground transportation.

Miles automatically tracks your miles when you drive, walk, bike, or ride the train. You get the corresponding rewards for your miles.

Plus, you get higher rewards for greener forms of travel like rideshares, carpools, trains, bikes, and public transit.

No need to apply. Just follow these steps:

• Download the Miles from the App Store or Google Play Store.
• Sign up and start earning.
• Redeem your miles for gift cards to your favorite stores and restaurants!

OnMyWay

OnMyWay is one of those apps that pay you to drive without texting. Here's how it works:

• First, it uses your location data to verify that you're driving.
• Then, it automatically activates when you go over 10 miles per hour.
• Once verified, it pays you for every mile you drive as long as you don't unlock your phone.
• You also get paid for every referral that signs up through your custom OnMyWay link.

To start earning, just download OnMyWay on iOS and Android.

This App Saves Lives

This App Saves Lives is an app where you can earn rewards for driving undistracted.

It automatically detects when you’re in a moving vehicle and starts counting the minutes that pass where you don’t touch your phone.

For every minute of undistracted driving, you earn one reward point. You can use these points to redeem prizes once you’ve accumulated enough.

With This App Saves Lives, you can still listen to music and use your GPS without worrying about accruing any points.

Start earning rewards by downloading This App Saves Lives on the App Store.

Here’s a table that summarizes how much you can earn from each driving app.

How do driving apps work?

Apps like Uber, DoorDash, and Instacart are part of the gig economy.

They’re also known as “peer-to-peer” or “sharing economy” apps.

The model is simple: use technology to connect individuals who have a specific skill or product (i.e., drivers or home chefs) with those who want to buy the service (i.e., people who need rides or meals cooked for them).

In this case, driving apps are the tech, you’re the skilled individual, and everyone else is your customer.

How to Calculate Your Potential Earnings?

How much money you earn through driving apps depends on how many hours you work, what kind of app you’re working for, the month, the time of day, etc.

In general, you can make around $14 to $40+ an hour.

You can also calculate your potential earnings by looking up pay calculators or earning guides for each app.

For example, you can calculate how much you can earn from Uber online. Lyft has a pay breakdown, while this InstaCart pay calculator considers things like miles, tips, etc.

Online job and salary sites are other great sources of information.

For example, Zip Recruiter lists the average yearly pay for Postmates drivers. You'll also find lots of salary information on Glassdoor, like this one for DoorDash salaries.

Basic Driver Requirements

No matter which driving app you choose (e.g., rideshare, delivery), the requirements and application process are very similar across the board.

Basic qualifications are:

• Be of legal age and a U.S. citizen
• A valid US driver's license, auto insurance, and vehicle registration
• Pass a criminal background check and physical exam
• Have a clean driving record
• Have access to a car that meets the company's safety standards
• An iPhone or Android smartphone
• Internet connection

Why Driving Apps Are a Terrific Side Hustle

The gig economy is attractive because it offers flexibility and freedom—and making money from driving apps is no different.

100% Control Over Your Work Schedule

You have the ability to control your schedule, earning potential, and the hours you work for each driving app.

If you want to make a killing over the holidays and then never drive again, you can do that. Want to pick up a few extra shifts every week? That's fine. It's all up to you!

No Diploma, Certification, or Special Skills Required

You’re not going to need any complicated skills or abilities—you just need a car and a valid driver’s license to earn to drive.

You don’t even need any special certifications or qualifications. If you can drive a car, you're ready.

Anyone Can Drive and Get Paid

Driving apps are one of the most flexible, low-barrier-to-entry jobs available today:

• Students can use them to pay for classes, books, or those crazy student loans.
• Parents can make extra cash while the kids are at school.
• People who are unemployed or between jobs can use driving apps to bring in money while they look for more permanent employment.
• Employed? Do it on the weekends or after work for an extra paycheck.

Whatever your situation is, there's a driving app out there for you.

Hit the Road & Start Making Money Driving!

The bottom line is this: driving apps can turn your car into a great source of income.

There are apps for virtually all cities in the United States, so there’s a good chance a company in your area is hiring.

Not sure which one is right for you? Sign up to multiple services and give them all a try!

Not all driving apps are created equal, and it’s up to you to find the one that you like best. 

We hope you found this helpful!

Aidan Kang, CFA

Aidan has been writing about personal finance for over 6 years. Prior to this, he worked as a Corporate Finance Analyst where he specialized in Due Diligence, Company Valuations and more. He is a CFA charterholder.