Best Times to DoorDash (2023 Guide)

Are you planning on becoming a food service delivery driver? 

If you have your own vehicle and enjoy driving, this can be a good way to make a little extra cash. This job gives you the freedom to set your own schedule and meet new people at the same time. However, like other jobs in the food service industry, the salary for this role can be quite low. Therefore, it is best to carefully time when you work so that you can maximize your income. 

So, let’s take an in-depth look at the best times to DoorDash and learn more about this interesting job.

About Working As A DoorDasher

DoorDash is a food ordering and delivery service that connects hungry people with delivery drivers. Becoming one of these drivers is a popular way for students and other people to make money in their spare time. DoorDashers can set their own schedules and even work full-time if they wish.

One of the great things is that they can accept or decline orders. If the journey distance is too long or no tip has been added, there is no pressure to do so. DoorDashers can also choose the area they want to work in and select orders on particular routes.

However, the base rate is not particularly high, and it is unlikely they will become rich doing this job. To maximize their incomes, DoorDashers need to create specific strategies. The trick is finding ways to work smarter during shifts, not harder. 

Best Times to DoorDash – Working During Peak Hours

One good way to maximize your DoorDash income is to choose to work at peak times. These are the hours when the highest number of orders are placed through the DoorDash app. This means that you will be able to keep working fairly constantly during those times.

Another key advantage is that you will be able to be more selective about which orders you choose. You will be able to check out the different options and only choose those that pay well. This means that you could earn much more for working the same amount of time during other parts of the day. 

The Peak Hours For Customers

Now you know the importance of working during peak hours, you are sure to want to grab this slot. It is important to bear in mind that the peak hours can vary slightly in different parts of the United States. Let’s take a look at the typical daily peak hours when the number of orders is usually relatively high. 

06:00 to 09:00

If you are an early riser, you can make a lot of money working this three-hour shift. Many people choose to order breakfast after a night out on the town. Or skip breakfast and order when they get to the office.

Working this early shift is perfect for students who don’t have lectures until later in the day. You can make some money before starting your studies and have the rest of the day free. There tends to be less competition for orders which can also help you earn more. 

11:00 to 13:00

Lunch is another popular time to order food through the app. Some people choose to go for brunch instead, but orders can start as early as 11:00. While this is just a two-hour period, it is possible to complete a lot of orders during this time. 

17:00 to 21:00

This is the busiest time of day for most restaurants, and there are sure to be plenty of orders. The only drawback is that this is also the most popular time for DoorDashers to work. While the number of orders will be high, the amount of competition will rise at the same time. 

Best Times To DoorDash – Other Good Times To Work

Peak hours are not the only times when you can maximize your earning potential. Several other factors can cause the number of orders and rates to rise. Here are some other great times to schedule your work shifts. 

During bad weather

People are less likely to head to a restaurant when it is pouring rain. Many couples order food and enjoy it in the comfort of their own home instead. Therefore, the number of orders increases.

People who were planning to go grocery shopping may decide to scrap their plans and order in. Therefore, it is a good idea to study the weather forecast before booking your shifts. Customers also tip generously if you have had to drive through bad weather to get to them.

Sundays

For a lot of people, Sunday is their lazy day. They like to lounge at home and spend quality time with family. While some people love cooking on this day, others prefer to order food and get it delivered to their door. Many people like to go out and party on Saturday nights. As a result, they are more likely to sleep late on Sunday mornings. If the cupboards are bare, they are more likely to order food for delivery. 

Major holidays

There are several public holidays when people are much more likely to order food. The demand for food deliveries increases considerably on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Many people host parties on Halloween and other public holidays. People who are not a wiz in the kitchen often order food for their guests instead of cooking. 

How Early You Can Start

The demand for breakfast deliveries grew considerably during the pandemic. Even after restrictions eased, many people kept the habit of ordering food for breakfast. Therefore, working during this shift can be a great way to make money.

However, there is no point starting early if all the eateries in your area are closed. Do a little research and discover when your local restaurants are open for breakfast. You will probably find that the early morning peak time starts at around 06:00.

Working At Night 

If you work as a rideshare driver, the nighttime is a great time to work. However, the same is not true for DoorDashers. Most eateries close before midnight, which means the number of others will be limited. If you want to drive at night, it is better to consider working for Uber. 

How Much Can You Earn?

Several key factors affect how much you can earn as a DoorDasher. If you are looking for a way to earn a good living, you need to consider your options carefully. Here are the main ways that DoorDashers earn money during their shifts. 

How DoorDashers get paid

The average hourly rate is between $10 and $25 per hour. If DoorDashers receive cash tips, they can hold onto this cash and spend it immediately. They receive the rest of their salary as a direct deposit into their bank account once a week. 

The Base Pay

The base pay is given to drivers when they complete an order and starts at $2. In some cases, it can be more than $10 for a single order. It is calculated on several factors, including the distance covered and the time to complete it.

Taking an order with a higher base pay doesn’t necessarily mean that you will make more money. You still have to consider the factors mentioned above and the gas used. It can work out more profitable to complete several smaller orders than one order with a high base pay.  

Promotions

The company sometimes offers drivers special bonuses on top of their base pay. These are known as promotions and can help boost their salaries considerably. These can come in the form of challenge bonuses, which are rewards for completing a certain number of orders.

Another one is peak pay. The company raises the base rate during times when the roads are particularly busy. Both of these types of promotions are ways of encouraging drivers to work more and rewarding them for their effort. 

Tips

One of the great things about working as a DoorDasher is that you get to keep all of your tips. The amount of money that customers leave as a tip can vary dramatically. Therefore, focusing on earning more in tips is a great way to earn more during your shifts. 

Ways To Maximize Your Income

If you are committed to working as a DoorDasher, you will want to earn as much as possible. Carefully choosing the times you work is the best way to score a larger number of orders. Here are some other great ways to make sure you earn as much as possible.

Schedule your dashes in advance

If a lot of DoorDashers are working in an area, it can be very difficult to get orders. Fortunately, you can avoid this with a little careful planning. Choosing the area and time you want to work in advance through the app secures this spot for yourself. You can schedule your times and zones up to six days in advance to avoid missing orders in busy cities. 

Choose your spots carefully

There is no point hanging around outside a single restaurant just because it’s busy. The fact is that any DoorDasher within a two-mile radius will be able to snap up those orders. If you are not quick off the mark, you are likely to miss out.

Instead, it is best to choose a location where there are several restaurants nearby. A good option is a parking spot at a mall which increases your chances of earning more.

Forget about your acceptance rate

DoorDashers are treated to a few perks when their acceptance rate is over 70%. This can include priority on higher-paying orders. So, it is tempting to accept every order that becomes available.

The problem with this strategy is that you will end up accepting very low-paying orders. This will cause the base pay to fall slightly over time. It is best to hold out for higher-paying orders and forget about your acceptance rate altogether. 

Avoid certain types of deliveries

Certain types of deliveries will quickly eat into your earnings. Not only will the base rate be lower, but the effort involved in completing the order will be higher. This means that your hourly rate will end up being much lower if you take several of these orders during your shift.

Orders that should be avoided include:

Restart the app regularly

You are likely to drive past areas with bad cell coverage during your shift. This can cause your GPS to glitch, and the app may even crash. If you are experiencing technical difficulties, you will not receive any orders. Keeping an eye on the app and regularly restarting it can help to prevent this. 

Take advantage of FastPay 

Getting paid instantly and being able to withdraw your savings immediately can be very useful. This allows you to pay for gas and maintain your vehicle in an emergency. Although there is a $2 fee for using FastPay, you can receive your earnings in a matter of minutes. 

How To Earn Higher Tips

A large percentage of your earnings come from tips from customers. Working on providing the best service possible is a good way to make sure customers give generously. Here are some simple yet effective ways to do this. 

Look professional

Looking smart and being polite will help to increase your tips. You are likely to spend a lot of time in your vehicle, so pay attention to grooming and personal hygiene. Consider carrying a light fragrance spray with you to mask the smell of fast food. 

Focus on customer service

Put yourself in the place of the customer and think about how you would want a driver to act. Being polite and courteous will help customers see your value. Providing customers with extra condiments in case the restaurant forgets can also make a positive impression. 

Follow customer instructions carefully

Some customers are very particular about how, when, and where they want to receive their orders. While this can seem demanding, most customers are likely to appreciate the extra effort you go to. Following any special instructions to the letter can result in a much higher tip. 

Take extra care with cold and hot items

Nobody wants to receive cold soup or melted ice cream. It is important to make sure that you keep hot and cold items separate at all times. It is worth investing in insulation bags to make sure of this.

Keep a Sharpie with you

Keeping multiple orders separate can be tricky, especially if the orders look quite similar. Make sure you write the names of the customers on the boxes and bags as soon as you receive them. This is a simple way to avoid confusion, and your customers will appreciate the extra effort. 

Maintain communication

There is nothing worse than waiting around for food to be delivered when you are hungry. If the order is taking longer than expected, your customer is likely to get frustrated. This could result in a low rating as well as a lower tip.

It is a good idea to keep your customer updated on every step of the delivery process. This also saves you time, as your customers will be ready to collect their orders.

Considered sending out updates at these times:

The five-minute update is particularly useful for customers. This gives them time to grab any plates, bowls, and condiments they need. Your customers will then be able to tuck into their order as soon as it arrives.

Additional Companies To Consider

So, you want to be a delivery driver? No problem, let’s start with my in-depth guides, such as my Delivery Driver Job Description and even Pizza Delivery Driver Job Description. Before applying, also check out the difference between Lyft vs Uber Income, How Much Do Uber Eats Drivers Make, and Do DoorDash Drivers See Tips?

Next, let’s move on to the many superb job opportunities currently available by checking out our guides to the DoorDash Application, the Uber Application, and the Uber Eats Application. And why not take a look at the Uber Mission And Vision Statement Analysis as well as the Lyft Mission And Vision Statement Analysis to learn more about the companies?

If you have a criminal record, please check up on Can A Felon Drive For Lyft and Can A Felon Drive For Uber, or how about Food Delivery Jobs For Felons, to help with your job hunt in 2023.

Best Times To DoorDash – Final Thoughts

Now you know the best times to work for DoorDash. Although working as a DoorDasher may not make you rich, it is a good way of making extra cash. If you have some time to kill and love driving, this could be a good part-time career. 

However, it is important to maximize your earning potential by carefully selecting your schedule. Work out your expenses before deciding if this career is for you. Unlike some competing companies like Lyft, DoorDash will not pay for your driving expenses. This means that gas comes out of your fee, and you have to keep track of your mileage for taxation purposes.

All the very best driving for DoorDash!