With gas prices rising, many gig workers considering signing up for DoorDash wonder, “Does DoorDash pay for gas?”
The answer is no.
As a DoorDash driver, you’ll have to pay for your gas expenses, but there are ways to get rewards and cash back that will help cover them.
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Does DoorDash Pay for Gas?
No.
DoorDash won’t pay for your gas expenses – you’ll have to use your DoorDash earnings to cover the cost of fuel.
However, there are ways to get fuel rewards on your gas spending when doing DoorDash work.
Why Doesn’t DoorDash Pay For Gas?
DoorDash won’t pay for your gas because, as a DoorDash Dasher, you’re an independent contractor.
Working in the gig economy has many benefits, including choosing your work hours, but it also means you’ll have to pay for your vehicle and other driving expenses.
How Being an Independent Contractor Works
When you sign up to work on the DoorDash app, you agree to be an independent contractor.
As an independent contractor, you’re not a direct employee of DoorDash.
Therefore, every delivery driver on DoorDash is working for themselves.
On the one hand, that means that the food delivery service can’t force you to work a certain number of hours.
You can work one hour a day or 12 – the choice is yours.
You can also stop working for DoorDash anytime – you have no contractual obligation.
On the other hand, it also means that the company does not have any requirement to pay for your healthcare or other benefits.
You have to pay self-employed taxes, and you also have to pay for your vehicle and expenses such as fuel and car maintenance.
Is Dashing Worth It With High Fuel Costs?
With the price of fuel skyrocketing, is it even worth it to work on the DoorDash platform?
DoorDash’s wages don’t necessarily correlate with gas prices.
In other words, you might not be earning more from your food delivery job despite paying more for gas.
Let’s explore some pros and cons of continuing to do DoorDash work despite the high gas prices.
Pros
- DoorDash now offers a fuel rewards program that allows you to get 10% cash back on the fuel you purchase. That will help offset the rising costs of fuel.
- Even after calculating your gas expenses, your DoorDash earnings may still be higher than what you would earn at a minimum wage job.
- DoorDash is still a great way to earn extra money during your free time. Even if you already have a full-time or part-time job, it’s a great way to use your spare time.
- If your schedule is flexible, you can earn more per hour by working during peak hours, offsetting the higher gas costs.
Cons
- If you are using DoorDash to support yourself and your family, you may have to work more hours to maintain the same standard of living.
- The gas rewards program only gives you 10% cash back. The price of gas may rise more than that.
- While DoorDash extended the expiry date of the gas rewards program, there is no telling if it will do so again.
Conclusion
Overall, working for DoorDash is still worth it.
By taking advantage of the gas rewards program, joining other cash back programs, and working during peak hours, you can compensate for the higher fuel prices and still earn a good living.
Can You Use Your DoorDash Red Card for Gas?
The DoorDash Red Card is the card you use to pay restaurants for orders you pick up.
Unfortunately, you can’t use it for gas.
When you accept a new order, the system automatically tops up the card’s balance to cover the order.
The system will block the purchase if you try to use it for personal expenses, including gas.
Tips for DoorDash Drivers To Save on Gas
Even though DoorDash won’t pay for your fuel expenses, you can still save money on gas.
Here’s how.
Drive a Fuel Efficient Vehicle
Some vehicles use up more fuel than others per mile.
Consider a car that uses up 25 MPG (miles per gallon) vs. one that uses up 60 MPG.
If you have to fill up less often, you’ll pay less for gas overall.
Use a Mileage Tracking App
A mileage tracking app will help you figure out how much you drive.
That way, you can budget for your gas expenses.
It will also help you discover ways you are wasting gas, such as by taking poor routes or driving around and not accepting orders.
Use a CashBack Credit Card at the Pump
Many credit cards offer cash back when spending on general purchases and gas.
Some even give you a higher cash back rate for gas purchases specifically.
So shop around and find a credit card that offers 2-5% cash back on your gas purchases.
Use CashBack Reward Apps To Save Money on Gas
Trunow is an app that allows you to earn cash back by uploading gas receipts.
You can also find discounts on gas and other purchases in your area.
You can reinvest your rewards back into gas or turn them into cash.
Another great cash back app is Upside.
Drive at the Best DoorDash Times
Driving during peak hours can help you earn more for your work.
DoorDash uses surge pricing, meaning the same delivery order can earn you more when demand is high.
Besides, you won’t waste time driving around waiting for orders during peak hours.
Consider Being a Scooter or Bike Courier
Depending on your city, you may be able to use a scooter or bicycle to deliver food.
The advantage of doing that is that you won’t have to pay for gas.
The disadvantage of doing that is that it will take you longer to deliver orders and is also more physically demanding.
What Is the DoorDash Gas Rewards Program?
If you’re reading this article, you may be unaware that DoorDash has started a Gas Rewards Program to help you earn 10% cash back on gas.
How It Works
If DoorDash approves you from the DasherDirect card, you will earn an automatic 10% cash back on all your gas purchases in the United States, as long as you use your card.
That means that if you pay $50 on gas, you will earn $5 in cash back.
Why It Was Started
DoorDash realized that many Dashers were having trouble affording their gas purchases.
It also wanted to encourage more Dashers to start driving for DoorDash instead of its competitors.
As such, DoorDash started the program and extended it once it realized how successful it was.
What You Get
While DoorDash initially gave cardholders both cash back and a weekly bonus, the weekly bonus has since ended.
Weekly Gas Bonus
DoorDash has ended the weekly gas cash back bonus on April 30, 2022.
That was the original end date for the entire Gas Rewards Program.
Cash Back
DoorDash has decided to continue the 10% cash back program due to the high fuel costs.
While DoorDash’s current end date for the program is August 31, 2022, it may extend it again if gas prices continue to increase and it thinks it will attract more drivers.
Even once the program ends, though, DasherDirect card users will still earn a 2% cash back bonus on gas purchases in the United States.
Combine the DoorDash rewards program with a cash back app, and you can earn as much as 15% or even more in rewards on your gas purchases.
Final Thoughts
While gas prices are high right now, that doesn’t mean driving for DoorDash isn’t worth it.
You can earn cash back by using a DasherDirect card, a credit card that offers cash back, or an app that rewards you for gas spending.
