With the growing popularity of side hustles and gig work, many people are looking for ways to earn extra income by driving their own car. While most are familiar with services like Uber, Lyft, or Instacart, did you know that many other options can pay even better? In this blog post, we’re going to explore 13 easy delivery driver side hustles you can start today using your own car. Some of these options might surprise you, and many of them offer flexible hours, allowing you to work on your own schedule.
If you’re looking for a side hustle that offers flexibility, decent pay, and the ability to work independently, this list is for you. Let’s dive into the top delivery gigs that can help you make the most out of your time and your car.
1. Delivering Lost Luggage from Airports
Airlines lose a lot of luggage—around 25% of travelers report having their luggage misplaced over the last five years. When this happens, someone needs to deliver the lost luggage from the airport to the traveler’s hotel, home, or rental, and this is where you come in.
What You Do: As a lost luggage delivery driver, you pick up lost luggage from the airport and deliver it to its rightful owner. It’s a simple task but in high demand since lost luggage is such a common issue.
Potential Earnings: Depending on the location and the volume of work, you can expect to earn anywhere from $80 to $100 per delivery. Some drivers have reported making up to $800 in just a few hours of work! Additionally, travelers often tip the delivery driver, so there’s potential for even more earnings.
How to Start: To get started, do some research in your local market. Look up “lost luggage delivery service” in your area to see which companies are offering this service. You might even consider starting your own business in this niche if you see a demand for it.
Opportunity Score: 7/10 — High-paying and straightforward, but depends on the volume of lost luggage in your area.
2. Pizza Delivery Driver
Pizza delivery might sound like a job for teenagers, but it can actually be a profitable gig for the right company. If you work for a company like Domino’s, you can either use your own car or a company-provided vehicle.
What You Do: Deliver pizzas from restaurants like Domino’s directly to customers’ homes or businesses.
Potential Earnings: While base pay at Domino’s is around $14.50 an hour, the real money comes from tips. On a good night, you can make as much as $35 per hour! Average base pay is reported to be between $16 and $25 per hour, depending on your location. Drivers in wealthier neighborhoods often receive higher tips, which can significantly boost your earnings.
How to Start: Apply at your local pizza chain or visit Domino’s website. You can often choose whether to use your own vehicle or a company car, which offers flexibility.
Opportunity Score: 7.5/10 — With the right company and in the right area, pizza delivery can be a high-paying, flexible side hustle.
3. Uber Eats
Uber Eats is one of the most popular food delivery apps, offering flexibility and ease of entry. If you’ve got a smartphone and a car, you’re all set to get started.
What You Do: Pick up food from restaurants and deliver it to customers who have ordered through the Uber Eats app.
Potential Earnings: Uber Eats drivers typically earn between $15 and $21 per hour, but some drivers have reported making as much as $8,000 in a single month by working longer hours and maximizing tips. The earnings depend on your location, how many deliveries you complete, and the quality of the tips you receive.
How to Start: Sign up through the Uber Eats app or website, complete the registration process (including a background check), and you’re ready to start delivering.
Opportunity Score: 7/10 — It’s flexible and reliable, but competition and the variability of order demand may limit how much you can earn.
4. Sweetgreen Lunchtime Delivery Driver
Sweetgreen specializes in healthy food options like salads and grain bowls, and they offer a high-paying lunchtime delivery option for drivers.
What You Do: Deliver food orders from Sweetgreen to customers during the lunch rush, operating through the SG Logistics platform.
Potential Earnings: Sweetgreen pays drivers a base of $23 per hour, but with tips, you can easily make between $25 and $35 per hour. The downside is that you’re limited to working during lunchtime (from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM), which means you can only work about 15 hours a week. Still, it’s a great side gig to supplement your income.
How to Start: Apply through the SG Logistics platform or visit Sweetgreen’s website to explore delivery options. Consider pairing this gig with another delivery job to fill the rest of your day.
Opportunity Score: 9/10 — The pay is fantastic, but the limited hours might be restrictive for those looking for full-time work.
5. Grubhub Delivery Driver
Grubhub is another food delivery giant that offers the potential for a full-time income.
What You Do: Pick up and deliver meals from restaurants to customers using the Grubhub app.
Potential Earnings: Grubhub drivers report earning around $51,000 per year if working full-time. Drivers have the freedom to manage their schedules and work without the pressure of a boss hovering over them. Plus, Grubhub is known for offering a good balance between base pay and tips.
How to Start: Simply sign up through Grubhub’s website, pass a background check, and you’re good to go.
Opportunity Score: 8/10 — Solid pay with the freedom to create your own schedule. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking more consistent, full-time gig work.
6. DoorDash Delivery Driver
DoorDash is another popular food delivery app, and it’s known for providing consistent work and solid earnings potential.
What You Do: Deliver food orders from local restaurants to customers using the DoorDash app.
Potential Earnings: DoorDash drivers typically earn between $18 and $30 per hour, depending on location, time of day, and tips. Some drivers even report making up to $30 an hour when working in tip-heavy areas. It’s a dependable way to earn extra cash without a boss or rigid schedule.
How to Start: Sign up on the DoorDash website or app, complete the necessary background checks, and start accepting deliveries in your area.
Opportunity Score: 7.5/10 — It’s reliable and consistent, but with limited career growth potential.
7. Amazon Delivery Driver
Amazon delivery drivers are in high demand, and the job offers flexibility and consistency for those looking for steady pay.
What You Do: Deliver Amazon packages to customers, either as an independent contractor through Amazon Flex or as an employee with an Amazon Delivery Service Partner (DSP).
Potential Earnings: Amazon drivers earn between $18 and $25 per hour. Unlike food delivery, you won’t receive tips, but the work is consistent, and you’re almost guaranteed to make that hourly rate.
How to Start: Apply through Amazon Flex or a local Amazon DSP to get started. You’ll need a smartphone and a car to qualify.
Opportunity Score: 8.5/10 — The pay is steady, but since tips aren’t part of the equation, it’s a more stable but potentially less lucrative gig.
8. Postmates Delivery Driver
Postmates is a versatile delivery service that allows drivers to deliver a variety of goods, from groceries to alcohol, making it a flexible and rewarding gig.
What You Do: Deliver groceries, restaurant meals, and other goods to customers using the Postmates app.
Potential Earnings: Postmates drivers earn between $19 and $32 per hour. Postmates is also known for being driver-friendly, offering better bonuses and perks than some of its competitors.
How to Start: Download the Postmates Fleet app and complete the registration process. Once you’re approved, you can start delivering.
Opportunity Score: 8/10 — A versatile delivery platform with great earning potential and flexibility.
9. UPS Seasonal Support Driver
UPS hires additional drivers during peak seasons, such as the holiday season, and this can be a great way to earn extra cash with the potential for a full-time position later on.
What You Do: Deliver packages for UPS during busy seasons, typically around the holidays.
Potential Earnings: UPS seasonal drivers make between $18 and $33 per hour, with the possibility of being hired full-time after the season ends. In fact, 80% of UPS seasonal jobs don’t require an in-person interview, and many drivers report receiving job offers within 20 minutes of applying.
How to Start: Apply on the UPS website, especially during peak hiring seasons. Seasonal positions are often a gateway to long-term employment at UPS, with plenty of opportunities for promotions and pay increases.
Opportunity Score: 9/10 — A temporary gig that can lead to a long-term career with UPS, offering stability and growth.
10. Skedaddle Delivery Driver
Skedaddle is a lesser-known company, but it offers a good opportunity for drivers to make extra cash with bonuses for each stop they make.
What You Do: Deliver packages across the U.S. for Skedaddle, with each delivery route offering a set hourly wage plus bonuses for each stop.
Potential Earnings: Drivers make $18 per hour, with the added bonus of 30 cents for every stop they make. There are also opportunities for promotions within the company, making it an appealing option for those looking for career growth.
How to Start: Visit the Skedaddle website to apply as a driver.
Opportunity Score: 8/10 — The bonuses and career growth opportunities make Skedaddle an attractive gig.
11. Dropoff (Same-Day Package Delivery)
Dropoff is a same-day delivery service that focuses on delivering packages quickly. It’s known for having excellent reviews from employees and providing solid pay for drivers.
What You Do: Deliver packages to customers on the same day they place their order.
Potential Earnings: Drivers can make between $35,000 and $52,000 per year, depending on the number of hours worked and location. Dropoff has a high employee approval rating, with a 4.1 out of 5-star rating on Glassdoor, and 90% of employees approve of the CEO.
How to Start: Apply through the Dropoff website. Note that you need to be at least 21 years old and have a vehicle that is less than 10 years old to qualify.
Opportunity Score: 8/10 — High pay and a positive work environment make this a solid option for package delivery drivers.
12. Lab Logistics (Medical Supplies Delivery)
Lab Logistics is a nationwide delivery service that specializes in transporting medical supplies and documents, making it one of the more stable and well-paying delivery gigs.
What You Do: Deliver sensitive medical supplies, such as lab specimens or medications, to hospitals and clinics.
Potential Earnings: Lab Logistics drivers earn between $48,000 and $74,000 per year, depending on the volume of deliveries and location. Because you’ll be handling sensitive materials, you’ll need to pass a background check, but the process is generally straightforward.
How to Start: Apply through the Lab Logistics website, complete the required background checks, and you’re ready to go.
Opportunity Score: 9/10 — High pay and the specialized nature of the job make this a highly attractive gig, especially for those looking for stable, full-time work.
13. Reliable Couriers (Medical Supplies Delivery)
Reliable Couriers is another company specializing in medical deliveries, with a focus on “stat” or ASAP deliveries for hospitals and healthcare facilities.
What You Do: Deliver urgent medical supplies, sometimes on a tight deadline, to healthcare facilities.
Potential Earnings: Reliable Couriers drivers make between $30,000 and $45,000 per year. While the pay is slightly lower than Lab Logistics, it’s easier to get into this role, making it a great entry point for those looking to break into medical delivery.
How to Start: Apply through the Reliable Couriers website and start delivering medical supplies in your area.
Opportunity Score: 8.5/10 — Easier entry and good pay make it a solid option for those interested in the medical courier industry.
Bonus: Delivering Liquor with Drizzly
Drizzly is a delivery service specializing in alcohol, and while it’s only available in certain states and cities, it’s an interesting niche gig for those looking to pick up extra work in the evenings or on weekends.
What You Do: Deliver alcoholic beverages to customers using the Drizzly app.
Potential Earnings: Drizzly drivers make between $13 and $18 per hour, with the potential for tips. However, there’s some risk involved, as delivering alcohol can mean dealing with intoxicated customers, which can make for unpredictable working conditions.
How to Start: Check if Drizzly is available in your area, as it’s only offered in about 31 states and 1,500 cities. Apply through the Drizzly website to get started.
Opportunity Score: 6.5/10 — Lower pay and potential safety concerns make this a less desirable option for some drivers.
Conclusion
There are countless opportunities for making money as a delivery driver, whether you’re transporting food, packages, or even medical supplies. The key is finding a side hustle that fits your schedule, your earnings goals, and the type of work you enjoy. Whether you want to work part-time or full-time, these 13 delivery driver side hustles offer flexibility, decent pay, and a way to earn money using your own car.
So, what are you waiting for? Pick one of these side hustles and start earning today!
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