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What delivery drivers really keep
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Delivery apps show you what you earned. They don't show what it cost you to earn it. Gas, wear on your car, time spent waiting for orders, and taxes all come out of that number, and together they can change the picture a lot.
What the app's number leaves out
- Unpaid time. Waiting between orders, waiting at restaurants, and driving back from a far drop-off.
- Gas. Every mile, including the empty ones.
- Car wear. Tires, oil, brakes, repairs, and depreciation add up faster than gas.
- Taxes. No taxes are withheld, and you generally owe self-employment tax too.
A worked example
This is an illustration with made-up round numbers, not a real driver's earnings. Plug in your own.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Pay plus tips for a 4-hour shift | $100 |
| Miles driven, including between orders | 60 |
| Gas (25 mpg at $3.20 a gallon) | −$7.68 |
| Other car costs (illustrative 20¢ a mile for maintenance, tires, and depreciation) | −$12.00 |
| Left before taxes | $80.32, or about $20 an hour |
The app would show $25 an hour. The real figure, before taxes, is closer to $20. Your car, area, and hours will change these numbers a lot, which is why tracking your own matters.
Track your miles
For taxes, self-employed drivers can generally deduct car costs either as actual expenses or with the IRS standard mileage rate. For 2026, the IRS lists a business rate of 72.5 cents a mile for January through June and 76 cents a mile for July through December (see the IRS standard mileage rates page). That rate is a deduction, not what driving actually costs you, but it shows why logging miles matters: every business mile you don't record is a deduction you lose.
Log every work mile: the date, where you went, and the business purpose. Many drivers use a mileage-tracking app that runs in the background.
Ways drivers raise their real hourly rate
- Work the busy hours. Meal rushes and weekends usually mean less waiting.
- Judge offers by pay per mile and per minute, not just the total.
- Avoid long drives out of busy areas unless the pay covers the trip back.
- Some drivers run more than one app to cut waiting time. Check each app's terms first.
Set money aside for taxes
Because nothing is withheld, set aside part of every payout. See side hustle taxes, explained simply.
Quick answers
How much do delivery drivers really make per hour?
It varies widely by area, time, and car. Start with your pay plus tips, subtract gas and car costs for every mile, then divide by all your logged-in hours, including waiting time. That gives your real hourly rate before taxes.
What is the IRS mileage rate for 2026?
The IRS lists a business standard mileage rate of 72.5 cents per mile for January 1 to June 30, 2026, and 76 cents per mile for July 1 to December 31, 2026. Check the IRS standard mileage rates page for current details.
Do delivery drivers have to pay taxes?
Generally yes. Delivery drivers are usually independent contractors, so no tax is withheld, and if net self-employment earnings are $400 or more they generally owe self-employment tax as well as income tax.
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