How To Make $500 A Week With DoorDash: 9 Successful Tips

Imagine cruising around your city, delivering mouth-watering meals from local eateries, and making $500 fast just by driving for DoorDash.

With DoorDash, you can run your own small business as an independent contractor, providing food delivery services and earning extra cash.

While making $500 a week with DoorDash might seem challenging for some, it’s all about how you approach it.

By efficiently leveraging various strategies like driver incentives, peak pay, and batched orders, you can quickly turn your week driving for DoorDash into a rewarding experience.

Key Takeaways

Signing up with DoorDash and getting paid is easy- but you can make more money with a few tips!
Make $500 a week with DoorDash by getting driver incentives, batching orders, scheduling more hours, and delivering during peak times.
Increase earnings with guaranteed earnings incentives from DoorDash and prioritize good service to get tips.
DoorDash is worth working with– but get more money by using other apps like Postmates!
Explore other ways of making money in the gig economy, such as blogging, affiliate marketing, or investing in real estate.

How To Make $500 A Week With DoorDash

1. Get Driver Incentives

One of the best strategies for DoorDash drivers looking to boost their income is to take advantage of the driver incentives.

Here’s the breakdown:

Promotions are your ticket to earning more money. They add extra pay to your delivery requests when you meet certain conditions, padding your earnings with every drop-off.

By smartly leveraging these incentives, it’s not just possible to make 500; it’s a practical target. Peak Pay and Challenges are the dynamic duo that can help you stack that extra cash.

Peak pay shines during those rush hours when everyone’s hungry and ordering in. This is when you get that extra cash for navigating through the busiest times, like the Saturday lunch rush.

Then there are the Challenges. These are designed to reward your hustle, offering you a way to earn extra money by hitting a set number of deliveries within a given timeframe.

Always watch your inbox for those DoorDash emails to capitalize on these opportunities. They’re your signal to gear up for promotions and peak times.

Aligning these incentives with your working hours is a savvy move. It’s how you turn time into money and steadily climb toward making $500 a week with DoorDash.

2. Driving Batched Orders

One of the best ways to make $500 a week is to focus on batched orders through the DoorDash app.

Think of batched orders as a two-for-one delivery deal: you pick up two meals at once from the same spot, then head off to drop them off at different addresses.

It’s a time-saver and a smart way to bump up what you earn per hour.

Always keep your eyes peeled on the DoorDash app for a pair of delivery requests that are close in proximity.

Snag those batched orders in busy areas when they fit nicely into your delivery circuit.

You’re setting yourself up to make more money by weaving these into your delivery strategy.

3. Schedule More Hours

If you’re a DoorDash driver and want to make 500 a week, it’s time to look at your schedule and take more deliveries.

The simple math is the more you’re on the clock, the more you get paid.

Especially if you clock in during those bustling peak hours, you’re in for a treat with a flurry of delivery requests and beefier paychecks.

Remember, it’s all about timing. Those lunch and dinner rushes? They’re prime time for Dashers. That’s when everyone’s hungry, orders pile up, and you can maximize your earnings.

The beauty of DoorDash is its flexibility. You can tailor your working hours to fit around your life, not the other way around.

Just make sure to put in enough hours during those high-demand times, and you’ll see how much you make per hour soar.

4. Watch For Guaranteed Earnings Incentives

There’s a savvy way to make money with DoorDash that all Dashers make good use of guaranteed earnings incentives.

These are DoorDash’s way of promising you a set amount for completing a certain number of accepted deliveries within a given period.

Here’s what you need to know: Keep an eye on your inbox for the guaranteed earnings offer. DoorDash will let you know when these opportunities pop up.

If you’re the kind of person who’s thinking, “I want to earn a solid amount this week,” then these incentives are for you.

They’re clear-cut, telling you exactly how much you can make if you meet the delivery goals.

Once you opt in or are enrolled, every delivery counts towards that guaranteed total. So, if DoorDash says, “Make 50 deliveries, and you’ll earn $500,” they mean it.

And just like that, you’re on track to hit your earnings goal.

5. Deliver During Peak Hours

For DoorDash drivers looking to make the most out of every delivery request, there’s no better time to hit the road than during peak hours.

This is when you can ramp up your earnings per hour. So when’s the best time to DoorDash?

Lunch and dinner times are buzzing with orders, and that’s when you can earn at least more than the usual rate.

Think about it: during these busy windows, especially on weekends from 11 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 9 pm, more people are ordering, and fewer delivery opportunities to miss out on.

And let’s not forget the late-night crowd post-bar hours- it’s an unexpected time to boost your total earnings.

By choosing to work during peak, you’re stepping into the fast lane of earning. Plus, with the peak pay promotion, DoorDash sweetens the deal, offering more for each delivery in busy areas.

6. Prioritize Good, Fast Service

DoorDash drivers know that time is money, and providing quick, stellar service can bump up those earnings per hour.

But it’s not just about speed- the smile and the smooth experience can lead to extra money in tips.

Here’s what drivers can do to provide a service that stands out:

Be the kind of person that brightens a customer’s day. A friendly word and smile can make all the difference.
Keep customers informed. If an order is running late or there’s a hiccup, a quick message can maintain trust and understanding.
Aim for swift and careful deliveries. It’s the combo of punctuality and care that customers remember.
Go that extra mile. Small gestures can lead to big rewards like extra money from tips.

Doing well in these areas means drivers can see more tips and regular customers. It’s about making sure people are glad they ordered, which helps drivers bring in more money.

7. Deliver On Your Way Home

For DoorDash drivers, there’s a smart way to up your hourly earnings without going out of your way-literally. It’s about making your drive homework for you.

As a delivery driver, why not pick up a few extra orders on your route back? This way, you’re not just heading home but making your commute count.

DoorDash has this nifty “Dasher Commute Tools” feature that lines up deliveries along your way.

You’re already driving that way, so why not drop off an order or two? It’s a strategic move that can add more to your daily earnings without racking up extra cash.

It also allows you to get more money for the same fuel costs of driving around, which helps since DoorDash doesn’t pay for gas.

8. Don’t Accept All Orders

Smart DoorDash drivers know that saying no is okay sometimes, especially if it means not losing money.

Not all orders you accept will be worth your time and resources.

To earn at least $500 in total earnings each week, you’ve got to be picky and go for the higher-paying orders from new and repeat customers.

Here’s the deal: if an order doesn’t pay at least $5.89, you might just be breaking even when you think about gas and the wear on your car.

So, what’s the sweet spot for paying orders? Look for orders that pay between $1 and $1.50 per mile. That’s your ticket to make more money.

9. Work For Multiple Apps

If you want to get paid more per hour, don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

Think about it: the more apps you’re juggling, the more you can maximize what you make daily. It’s all about playing the field and seeing where you can snag the best-paying deliveries at any given time.

Spread out your chances to earn by working with several delivery apps. This tactic, known as multi-mapping, opens up a world of more orders and, often, better pay.

Add apps like Postmates, Uber Eats, and Grubhub to your repertoire. With a mix of DoorDash and these other food delivery apps, you’re casting a wider net for earning opportunities.

It’s a power move for anyone aiming to rake in $500 a week or more. So, why limit yourself? Get those delivery apps running and watch your earnings grow.

DoorDash Pay Structure

DoorDash‘s pay model is all about fairness and transparency, ensuring that Dashers like you clearly understand what you can earn with every delivery to maximize your earnings.

Here’s the DoorDash Pay Structure breakdown:

Base Pay: The Base Pay is calculated based on the time, distance, and popularity of the order among Dashers, ranging from $2 to $10+.
Promotions: Promos include Peak Pay, Challenges, and Guaranteed Earnings that all add extra pay to your runs and give you incentives to do extra orders.
Tips: Customers can tip when placing their order or after delivery, and 100% of these tips go to you.

You’ll see the Acceptance Screen for each order sent your way. The amount you see here is the Base Pay you’ll earn for delivery, which can increase with promos and tips.

You can also earn more money with referral payments.DoorDash’s referral program can passively add a nice bump to your earnings without you working more deliveries.

Just share your unique referral code with friends interested in becoming Dashers. You’ll snag a referral bonus once they sign up and hit the required number of deliveries.

Ways to Get Paid

When it comes to getting your hard-earned cash, DoorDash has a few different ways to get paid.

If you like things traditional, there’s the Weekly Direct Deposit, with no fees or anything to get paid weekly.

Like a regular paycheck, you’ll see your money from the deliveries for the previous week pop into your bank account by Wednesday night.

If you prefer to get your earnings ASAP, there’s Fast Pay. For $1.99 per transaction, Dashers in the U.S. and Canada can transfer their earnings to their bank anytime.

And if you’re dashing down under in Australia, you can enjoy the Fast Pay perk without any fees at all!

For Dashers who love extra perks and want their pay quickly, DasherDirect is the way to go. It’s a special prepaid Visa card just for U.S. Dashers.

Not only do you get your money right after you dash, but you also enjoy cash back on gas and purchases like a credit card offers.

FAQs

Can I make $500 per week with DoorDash?

Making $500 a week with DoorDash is possible, especially if you approach it with a game plan.

It’s not just about logging in hours; it’s about being smart with your work hours and picking the right deliveries.

Dash during peak times when demand is high, take advantage of promotions and challenges that boost your earnings, and provide great service to encourage tips.

How many hours must I work to reach $500 working for DoorDash?

The hours it’ll take to hit that $500 mark with DoorDash can vary. It’s like any gig economy job– the runs can change daily.

In many cases, Dashers put in 20 – 30 hours a week to get $500 a week. But it’s not just about the clock; it’s about being smart about how many deliveries you take.

You can make more per hour if you’re smart about when and where you dash- think busy meal times and areas with many restaurants.

Also, choosing the right orders is key. Considering time and distance, you want to go for the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.

Should I work DoorDash full-time?

Deciding to dash full-time is a big move. It’s perfect for some, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all deal.

DoorDash offers a lot of flexibility, which is great if you need to be the boss of your own schedule. Plus, you can make a good income if you’re up for the hustle.

So, look at what you need, money-wise and time-wise. Full-time dashing could be a solid choice if you’re looking for a steady income and are okay with the extra drive time.

But part-time might be your best bet if you’re just looking to make some extra dough on the side. It all comes down to what works for you and your lifestyle.

What are other ways I can make $500 per week?

There’s a world of opportunities to start profitable side hustles and earn $500 a week.

If you’re into the gig economy, ridesharing with companies like Uber could be up your alley.

Or maybe you’ve got a skill you can freelance– writing, graphic design, or web development, perhaps?

Teaching or tutoring online is another great option if you know a particular subject.

And let’s not forget about the digital space – blogging, affiliate marketing, and creating digital products can start as side hustles and grow into passive income.

The best part about side hustles is you can do more than one and mix and match for what fits your needs- I started with online tutoring, then started this blog, and sold printables.

It was enough to not only make $500, but we made more than our full-time jobs- so we quit them and created ways for you to start a blog and get hustling, too.

Final Thoughts

There you have it – hitting that $500 per week with DoorDash is doable with the right strategies!

It’s easy to sign up with DoorDash and make money, but maximizing your schedule can mean more money for your time.

How to make $500 a week with DoorDash comes down to a few things:

Dash during those busy hours.
Keep an eye out for those sweet incentives.
Batch orders and be picky about what orders you accept.
Give good customer service to get more tips.
Work for more apps- join Postmates and Uber too!

Remember, it’s not just about driving around town; it’s about driving your own success and increasing your income in smart ways.

Stay on top of your game, keep your eyes on the prize, and don’t forget that your attitude can turn a good day into a great one.