A couple weeks ago, on a semi-whim, I signed up for DoorDash. This week, I made a few deliveries on my way home from work a couple evenings. Following is an account of what I think of the experience and if I think it’s worth the effort for the payouts. If you’re not interested in the narrative, scroll down to the conclusion for numbers and my initial impression.

Day 1

On Tuesday this week, after a period of inactivity post-enrollment, someone from DoorDash reached out to me to see if there was any reason I hadn’t dashed yet, and the suggestion was made to do a single delivery ahead of St. Patrick’s Day weekend, to make sure I didn’t have any questions, and that everything went smoothly. I thought it over, and decided to accept the challenge on my way home.

I should have known this evening wasn’t like most evenings. I have about 30 miles of interstate driving between the office and home, and it’s typically uneventful, beyond the expected slowdown areas. But on this Tuesday evening, I encountered three accidents on the way home that delayed me by 40 minutes.

Once I got off the interstate at my exit, I pressed “Dash Now” in the Dasher app, and within 20 seconds had my first order pop up. I was to pick up at Chipotle, which was just off the next intersection. I turned right at the light and was immediately met with police activity in the opposing lanes, so I turned onto a side street and snaked my way to Chipotle.

As I approached the parking lot, I met with 3 police cruiser at the entrance to the store ( Was my first delivery going to be a bust?). Fortunately, the officers were clearing out as I parked and I was able to get inside and pick up my inaugural order and get back to my car without any additional delays. The destination was 3 or 4 miles from Chipotle, and was uneventful.

After completing my first delivery, I started driving back to my hot spot near the interstate, but quickly received another order to be picked up in the opposite direction at White Castle. Okay, not too far, so I accepted.

When I got to White Castle, I went to the counter and let them know I had a DoorDash order. The time was 6:50pm, and I learned soon after that this location closes at 7pm. the driveway was packed with hungry people, so I had to wait – and wait I did – until 7:20pm. Now, credit where credit is due, the staff apologized several times, and even gave me a sack of sliders for the road for being patient and understanding – so not a complete loss.

Once I had the order in the car, I looked at the destination: 2 towns away (someone really wanted their White Castle). This wasn’t really the direction I wanted to head, but I didn’t have anything pressing, so it wasn’t hurting anything. Heading 2 exits north, I jumped on the interstate and was on my way.

Approaching the first exit, I saw another interstate slowdown in a spot that doesn’t usually back up. Ruh-roh. Another mile later, I spotted the source – a late 90s F-150 had gone off road and was on top of a fence and honeysuckle. Emergency crews were on the scene.

Another half mile and I was exiting the interstate, continuing to my destination. At the next intersection, I was heading east, but in the northbound lanes, south of the intersection – and thankfully not impacting my progress – there was yet more police activity! I turned northbound and continued on.

A few more turns and I was in the apartment complex where my delivery was to be made. I circled twice and eventually found the side entrance referenced on the order. I dropped off the food and took a photo to prove it. Then I had an uneventful 30 minute trip home after an hour of dashing 2 orders. Mission accomplished.

Day 2

Undaunted by my first evening, concluding it was just a really crazy travel day for many, for no good reason, I pressed the “Dash Now” button again. I was intending on doing a one and done delivery. Immediately I was offered an order at Applebee’s, so I accepted. A minute late, while still en route, I was offered an additional delivery on the route, but declined because I just wanted to do this one delivery.

Well, the Dasher app had other plans. After warning me my driver rating could take a hit for declining a delivery, not 15 seconds later another delivery was offered on my current route. So as to not lower my rating even further, I went ahead and accepted it – a nearby Mexican restaraunt.

Both of these pickups were uneventful. Restaurant staff was courteous both places, and both these deliveries were actually on my way home. Up to this point I’d had all “leave the food at the door” orders, but my last delivery was labelled “hand the food to me”. This, too, was uneventful, just a pleasant exchange and I was done for the night. 30 minutes.

Conclusion

The first night, if I’d let it, could have turned me off to the whole thing. But in all honesty, I knew it was an outlier. I never see that much police activity on my normal route. I made $23 for an hour of driving. The second night was much more normal, and the deliveries were on my way home, so all in all a better experience that netted $10 in 30 minutes.

My average payout so far is ~$20/hr. If I factor in 30% for taxes, and then a little more for gas/maintenance, I feel like I’m only netting $10/hr, which while not the worst thing in the world for a side hustle, isn’t going to make me rich, but having only given 90 minutes to the process in total, it’s some extra money for going out, gas, or paying down student loans. In fact, since I like driving on the whole, I plan on driving for at least a couple hours on St. Patrick’s Day this Sunday to see if I can raise the average pay a little bit. This may not be the last you hear of DoorDash on this blog. Time will tell.

Do you drive for DoorDash, GrubHub, or UberEats? What’s been your experience? Comment below!