DoorDash's app shows your earnings. It doesn't show what your car is costing you while you earn them. Here's the math most drivers skip.
The real hourly rate calculation
For a typical DoorDash shift: 3 hours, 45 miles, $42 gross earnings.
Real take-home = Gross earnings − Gas − Car depreciation − Maintenance allocation
Side-by-side comparison at 45 miles, $42 gross
Toyota Prius (57 MPG, $4.50/gal avg):
- Gas: $3.55
- Depreciation + maintenance: $3.60
- Real take-home: $34.85 = $11.62/hr
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid (54 MPG):
- Gas: $3.75
- Depreciation + maintenance: $3.20
- Real take-home: $35.05 = $11.68/hr
Honda CR-V (28 MPG gas):
- Gas: $7.23
- Depreciation + maintenance: $5.80
- Real take-home: $28.97 = $9.66/hr
Chevy Traverse (21 MPG):
- Gas: $9.64
- Depreciation + maintenance: $8.10
- Real take-home: $24.26 = $8.09/hr
Switching from an SUV to a Prius gives you a $3.53/hour raise — without working a single extra delivery. At 25 hours/week, that's $4,591/year more in your pocket.
The mileage deduction angle
DoorDash miles qualify for the IRS $0.725/mile deduction at tax time. A Prius driver at 1,300 miles/month deducts $942.50/month — while their actual gas cost is only $142/month. The hybrid advantage compounds at tax time.