The Outright Best Times to DoorDash in 2023

DoorDash offers ways for anyone to make extra money delivering food. The key to maximizing your earnings is to know the best times to DoorDash. Every area will differ, but knowing how to make money with DoorDash helps you use your time wisely and put more money in your pocket.

Maximizing Earning Potential by Finding the Best Times to DoorDash

DoorDash drivers rely on customer tips and the cut of the delivery fee they earn from DoorDash. But did you know you can maximize your earnings by knowing the best time for DoorDash drivers?

It’s all about demand.

For example, if you drive on a weekday morning versus a Friday night, you’d likely make much more money on Friday night because there’s higher demand. However, the peak times will vary by location, so pay close attention to the DoorDash app for delivery drivers to see which times have the highest need.

The key is to schedule your times to DoorDash during the highest demand. You’ll make more money per order and have more orders to deliver, even if you have low-paying orders. Combine the proper timing with excellent customer service, and you’ll maximize your DoorDash pay.

Here are the top ways to maximize your DoorDash strategy and make the most delivering food.

Why Peak Driving Times Matter When Driving for Doordash

You might be wondering, ‘When is DoorDash busy in my area?’ In most areas, peak hours for DoorDash are typically lunch breaks and the dinner rush. Lunch times are usually 11 AM to 2 PM, and the dinner rush is 4:30 – 8:00 PM, but again, it varies by location. Check your app to see when there is the highest demand.

Some areas may have peak hours during breakfast or late at night, especially in areas with many events. You’ll see high-paying orders during the busiest DoorDash times, which may mean higher tips.

DoorDash Driver Salary

So how much can you make with DoorDash deliveries?

The answer varies by location when you drive and how often. However, you can increase the hourly pay by earning higher tips, driving during peak hours, and working more hours (subject to availability). The nice thing is you can pick your own hours, working when you want. You can also earn more by finding the highest-paying DoorDash cities.

You can also increase your earnings with DoorDash bonuses and promotions.

Bonuses and Promotions

DoorDash drivers love the bonuses, promotions, and other incentives the DoorDash platform offers. This money is in addition to the base pay offered for standard delivery.

For example, DoorDash drivers may earn peak pay if they make themselves available during a rush. DoorDash pays a promotion in addition to the regular pay to encourage more drivers to log into the app.

DoorDash also offers challenges. These are opportunities to fit in a certain number of orders or clock a certain number of hours to earn extra money. They do this to get more drivers because drivers are more likely to sign on when they know more money is available.

DoorDash rewards drivers for driving during the busiest times or for deliveries completed in a certain amount of time. It’s their way of saying ‘thank you.’

Receiving Tips

DoorDash driver tips are the crux of your DoorDash earnings. You have complete control over customer tips if you provide excellent customer service. All DoorDash delivery drivers keep 100% of the tips customers pay, so it’s worth learning some DoorDash tricks and tips to provide the highest level of customer service.

DoorDash Tips for Maximizing Your Income

As we said, customer service is critical to maximizing your income as a DoorDash delivery driver. Here are some ways to help you earn the most money.

Customer Service Is Key

Customers want to know everything about their order after placing it. There’s no such thing as over-communicating.

To keep your customers happy, let them know you’ve received their order, when you’re on your way to the restaurant, and when you’ve picked up the order and are heading to their location.

You should also inform customers of any delays, such as traffic or issues at the restaurant holding up their order. Also, consider double-checking the food delivery orders before leaving the restaurant to ensure they are correct.

Offer Complimentary Items

Consider keeping a stash of necessities in your car to keep your customers happy. This includes extra straws, napkins, and condiments. You might also consider keeping spare plastic silverware and paper plates in your car. Then, if a customer asks for something, you have it, and they can reward you with a higher tip.

Drive During DoorDash Peak Hours

Get to know the peak times in your area and set your own schedule to DoorDash between those hours. Then, even if you must work fewer hours during that time, you’ll earn more money per delivery or have more orders during DoorDash busy times, making the most of your time.

Join Company Challenges

DoorDash occasionally runs challenges to encourage Dashers to take more DoorDash orders. The challenges are usually to deliver a specific number of orders within a particular timeframe. If you succeed, you earn higher pay.

Guaranteed Earnings

Some Dashers, but not all, may be eligible for guaranteed earnings. This is the actual earnings you’ll get if you work the required period. This doesn’t include Dasher tips, so your earnings could be even higher.

Early Bird Gets the Worm

DoorDash doesn’t require scheduled shifts, but they offer the option. If you plan your shifts, you get first dibs on the orders. DoorDash sends orders to scheduled drivers, then to ‘Dash Now’ drivers. Unless you drive during busy times, you may not get as many orders if you don’t pre-schedule your shifts.

Have a High Acceptance Rate

Each time you’re offered a DoorDash order, DoorDash tracks whether you accept or decline it. DoorDash uses an 80% threshold for acceptance rates. If you accept at least 80% of orders provided, you get first dibs at the best times to DoorDash. However, if your acceptance rate falls, you are second in line for available shifts.

Busy and Populated Areas

If your area isn’t populated enough, consider moving over a town or two when offering food delivery service. Of course, you’ll need a little extra time to travel and will spend more on gas, but it may be worth it if you can make more money in busy areas.

Focus on areas with popular restaurants that are likely to have a lot of orders to increase your chances of making more money.

Uncovering the Best Days to DoorDash

When deciding the best times to DoorDash, you should consider the days with the busiest times and that pay the most.

• According to DoorDash – DoorDash suggests the best times to DoorDash are during the lunch and dinner rushes on any day of the week. Because these are the recommended best hours to DoorDash, these shifts go quickly. You can schedule your Dashes up to five days early, so if you know ahead of time you want to deliver food those days, schedule ahead of time.

• According to Reddit – Reddit users are all over the place when recommending the best hours to DoorDash. Most agree with DoorDash‘s lunch and dinner rush times. They also stated that college towns, or overly crowded areas, were saturated with DoorDash drivers for late-night shifts. They suggest sticking to the standard 11 – 1 PM lunch shift and 6 – 8 PM dinner time shift.

• According to Quora – Quora reviewers stated the exact times to DoorDash. They agree that the lunch and dinner rush is best, but they focused primarily on Friday and Saturday nights. However, many said if you can drive during lunch rushes during the week, you’ll have less competition from other drivers and make more money.

The Best Times to DoorDash

So now that we know what others say about the best time to DoorDash, here’s what you should consider.

Best Time to DoorDash in the Morning 

The morning rush is hit or miss and depends on where you live. In most areas, people focus on getting to work and school and don’t order food.

However, in some areas, a DoorDash morning shift makes drivers as much as a lunch or dinner shift. This is especially true in most areas on Sundays when people are more likely to order brunch food delivery services.

If you choose to drive early for breakfast, consider working between 6 AM – 8 AM.

Best Time to DoorDash in the Afternoon

The best time to do DoorDash in the afternoon is usually the lunch rush. There’s usually a lull after the breakfast rush if one exists, and the lunch rush. Usually, working 8 AM – 11 AM doesn’t provide much income.

The lunch rush, however, can be lucrative, depending on where you live. Try to position yourself in an area heavy with businesses to increase your chance of getting deliveries. Lunch rushes are usually short, so position yourself in the area between 11:30 – 1:30 to make good money.

Best Time to DoorDash in the Evening

Evenings are usually popular, but usually on certain days. Fridays and Saturdays are the most popular days for DoorDash customers and drivers because more people tend to order food, but most evenings have decent traffic.

If you work in the evening, try to schedule during dinner time to make money with DoorDash. Dinner hours are usually 4:30 – 8:00 PM, but narrowing it down to 6 – 8 PM or 5 – 7 PM would help you earn money.

Best Time to DoorDash in the Night 

Nighttime deliveries are busiest on Friday and Saturday nights. These are the days people are more likely to be out at bars, events, and other occasions and order food late-night snacks. Therefore, working night shifts after the dinner rush during the week may not be as beneficial.

The Best Times to DoorDash on Weekends

If you have only a few hours to DoorDash, consider driving on the weekends. This is when delivery drivers make the most money because more people order out on weekends. Like during the week, evenings are the best time to DoorDash, but there’s still money to be made during the day on the weekends.

The Best Times to DoorDash FAQS

Are Mornings Really Busy When Driving for DoorDash?

Early morning hours are hit or miss for DoorDash. It depends on where you live. Areas with many businesses may be busier in the morning hours once people get to work and decide they are ready for breakfast. In most areas, though, it’s not a time to focus your delivery times.

What Is the Busiest Time to DoorDash?

Lunch and dinner are the best times to DoorDash in most areas. You’ll have the highest number of orders and possibly higher-paying orders. If you can’t work many lunch or dinner shifts, try focusing your time on Dashing Friday and Saturday nights.

Will DoorDash Pay Your Mileage?

DoorDash doesn’t pay mileage because Dashers are independent contractors. However, you may be eligible to write the mileage off on your taxes. Talk to your tax advisor about the possibility.

How Much Can You Really Make Driving for DoorDash?

It’s common to wonder how much you can make with DoorDash, and the answer varies depending on many factors. You might make more or less depending on how much you work, how many deliveries you take, and how many tips you receive.

How Do I Find the DoorDash Peak Hours in My Area?

After signing up for DoorDash, watch your app at different times of the day to see the demand. You can also tell when DoorDash pays peak pay because the rates will be higher when they need more help.

What Are the Worst Days to Drive for DoorDash?

The worst day to DoorDash is usually Monday, as many restaurants are closed to recoup from a busy weekend. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are also slower days to drive for DoorDash.

How to File DoorDash Taxes as a Driver?

When you drive for DoorDash, you are an independent contractor. Therefore, you must claim your income but will file as a self-employed taxpayer, paying both employer and employee taxes.

Final Thoughts on the Best Times to DoorDash

Determining the best times to DoorDash in your area is important when maximizing your earnings. Working peak time and understanding your area’s busiest days and times will help you make the most money with this side gig.