Last updated: May 2026 · IRS mileage rate: $0.70/mile
See your real DoorDash take-home pay after mileage, gas, and self-employment tax — and find your true hourly rate.
Delivery Activity
Vehicle & Expenses
Expense Deduction Method
Standard Mileage: deduct $0.70 per mile driven (2026 IRS rate). Covers gas, depreciation, maintenance, insurance — all in one number. Simple and usually best for Dashers.
Results
Gross weekly earnings = (deliveries × avg pay per delivery) + Peak Pay bonus.
Standard Mileage deduction = miles × $0.70 (IRS 2026 rate). This single deduction replaces gas, depreciation, maintenance, and insurance tracking — it's the simplest and most commonly used method for gig drivers.
Actual Expenses method = estimated gas cost only (miles ÷ MPG × gas price per gallon). In practice, actual expenses also include depreciation, insurance, and maintenance which you'd need to track separately. This calculator shows gas cost only as a conservative proxy.
Net weekly earnings = gross − chosen expense deduction.
Self-employment tax = 15.3% × (annual net × 92.35%). The 92.35% factor accounts for the employer-side deduction. You may also deduct half of SE tax from income, slightly reducing taxable income.
Quarterly tax payment = (SE tax + estimated 12% federal income tax) ÷ 4. Adjust based on your total household income and filing status.
⚠️ Estimates only. Tax laws, IRS mileage rates, and DoorDash pay structures change. Consult a tax professional for your actual filing. The 2026 IRS standard mileage rate is $0.70/mile.
DoorDash pays Dashers through a combination of base pay, customer tips, and bonus programs. Base pay per order ranges from roughly $2 to $10 depending on estimated time, distance, and desirability of the order. Tips — which go 100% to the Dasher — are often equal to or larger than base pay. The average delivery including tip lands between $7 and $12 for most active Dashers, with variation based on market, time of day, and order acceptance strategy.
Peak Pay adds a fixed dollar amount (typically $1–$4 extra per delivery) during high-demand periods. Challenge bonuses reward completing a set number of deliveries in a time window, paying out $20–$50 extra when achieved. Together these bonuses can add $10–$50 or more to a Dasher's weekly income without requiring more hours — just strategic scheduling around peak windows.
| Dasher Profile | Deliveries/Week | Avg per Delivery | Gross/Week | Est. Net/Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casual (part-time) | 15 | $8.00 | $120 | $78 |
| Regular (side income) | 30 | $8.50 | $255 | $171 |
| Active (25 hrs/wk) | 50 | $9.00 | $450 | $306 |
| Full-time (40 hrs/wk) | 80 | $9.50 | $760 | $518 |
| Top earner (stacking) | 100 | $11.00 | $1,100 | $754 |
The biggest mistake new Dashers make is treating gross pay as take-home pay. A typical Dasher drives 3–6 miles per delivery including deadhead miles (driving to pick up with no order). At 30 deliveries per week covering 120 miles, the IRS mileage deduction of $0.70/mile wipes out $84/week from taxable income — that's $4,368/year, a substantial tax shield. Many Dashers who thought they were earning $15/hour gross find their net rate is closer to $11–$13 after proper accounting.
The standard mileage deduction typically outperforms tracking actual expenses for Dashers because it also covers depreciation and maintenance — two costs that are real but easy to undercount. The breakeven analysis is simple: if your actual gas + depreciation + maintenance exceeds $0.70/mile, switch to actual expenses. For most economy and midsize cars driving under 30,000 gig miles per year, standard mileage wins.
How much does DoorDash pay per delivery?
DoorDash base pay per delivery typically ranges from $2 to $10+, depending on distance, desirability, and time. With tips factored in, most Dashers average $7–$12 per delivery. Top earners in busy markets who stack orders strategically can average $10–$15 per delivery including tips.
How do DoorDash taxes work for Dashers?
Dashers are independent contractors, not employees. You owe self-employment tax (15.3%) on roughly 92.35% of your net profit, plus federal and state income tax. DoorDash does not withhold taxes. You should make quarterly estimated tax payments to the IRS (due April, June, September, January). The IRS standard mileage deduction for 2026 is $0.70/mile and is often the most valuable deduction available to Dashers.
Is the mileage deduction or actual expenses better for DoorDash?
For most Dashers the standard mileage deduction ($0.70/mile for 2026) is simpler and often larger than tracking actual gas, insurance, maintenance, and depreciation. If you drive a fuel-inefficient vehicle or have high insurance costs, actual expenses may occasionally exceed the mileage deduction — but you must choose one method consistently for the year. Always compare both methods with your real numbers.
What is a good hourly rate for DoorDash?
After deducting mileage or gas costs, most Dashers net $10–$18/hour. Anything above $15/hour net is considered strong for gig delivery work. Earnings vary significantly by market — dense urban areas with high order volume typically yield better hourly rates than suburban or rural areas. Peak hours (lunch, dinner, weekend evenings) and Peak Pay bonuses can push hourly rates above $20.
How much should I set aside for DoorDash taxes?
A common rule of thumb is to set aside 25–30% of net DoorDash earnings for taxes. This covers the 15.3% self-employment tax plus estimated federal income tax. After the mileage deduction significantly reduces your taxable income, many Dashers find their effective tax rate closer to 20–25% of gross earnings. Use this calculator's quarterly tax estimate as your baseline and adjust based on your total income situation.