In today’s fast-paced U.S. economy, using your car to generate extra income has never been more accessible—or appealing—as a side hustle. Whether you’re transporting people, delivering items, or even turning your vehicle into mobile advertising, there are plentiful ways to make money driving while keeping your schedule flexible.
Earn Money While Driving
Below are ten credible, realistic, and diverse gig opportunities for those looking to make money driving around town.
1. Rideshare Driving (Uber, Lyft)
One of the most recognizable car-based gigs to make money driving is rideshare driving with Uber or Lyft.
Flexibility: You choose when to work—peak hours like Friday and Saturday nights can bring in significantly higher fares.
Earnings: On average, Uber drivers make $5–$26/hour before expenses.
Things to consider:
Vehicle must meet requirements (e.g., 4-door, under a certain age).
Costs: fuel, maintenance, insurance, and self-employment taxes (e.g. Social Security & Medicare tax on earnings over $400).
Know local regulations and obtain proper insurance.
If you’re not into carrying passengers, food delivery apps offer an excellent alternative.
Flexibility again: Choose your hours and prior commitments don’t matter.
Earnings: Typically $7–$40/hour, averaging about $17/hour on DoorDash .
Tips are critical: Ratings and tips significantly influence pay, so customer service counts.
Be the personal shopper and deliver groceries—no passengers, no food smells.
Pay structure: Base fee + tips + peak-time bonuses; shoppers often earn $14–$43/hour.
Perks: You earn while doing errands or during slower delivery windows.
Requirements: Ability to lift ~40 lbs and follow shopping lists.
4. Package Delivery (Amazon Flex, Roadie)
Bring parcels to homes with your own car—nothing else required. This hands-off approach is a great way to make money driving independently.
Amazon Flex: Drivers make $18–$25/hour; one driver made $115 in 3 hours => about $38/hr.
Roadie: Delivers larger items, earning $13/delivery or more (variable per gig).
Benefits: No passengers, no shopping—just pick up and deliver.
5. Test‑Drive Mystery Shopping
Get paid to test drive vehicles from dealerships!
Perks: Earn ~$60 per visit for evaluating car dealerships.
Requirements: You pose as a buyer, experience the sales pitch, then file a report.
A fun gig if you’re into cars and evaluating services.
6. Rent Out Your Car (Turo, Getaround)
Advertise brands on your car and earn passive income.
How it works: Apply to platforms like Carvertise, wrap your vehicle, drive as usual.
Pay: $100–$300/month depending on driving frequency and area.
No extra effort: Just drive your normal routes while carrying ads.
Help others move large, bulky items.
Opportunity: Use your car, van, or SUV to help move furniture or heavy loads.
Earning potential: Often higher per job, especially for short-haul moves or same-city deliveries.
Return on Investment (ROI): Great if you already own a spacious vehicle and can handle physical work.
9. Shuttle Services & Niche Transport
Offer specialized transport services like airport shuttles or kid/pet pick-ups.
Examples:
School runs via Care.com or local Facebook groups.
Private shuttles or tour-driving if you know your city well (ToursByLocals).
Pros: Higher rates due to specialization and reliability.
Requirements: Extra background checks or certifications may apply.
10. Carpool & Long‑Distance Ride Platforms (Hitch)
Help commuters or long-distance travelers get where they need to be.
What to know:
Hitch connects drivers with riders headed in the same direction.
Great for earning extra cash if you’re already traveling across town or between cities.
Benefits: Charge per mile/person; socially engaging.
Risks: Must follow safety rules and platform policies.
Key Considerations Before You Begin
1. Know Your Costs & Taxes
Self-employed drivers must file Schedule C and may owe ~15.3% self-employment tax on earnings over $400.
Common expenses include mileage, gas, maintenance, insurance, and vehicle depreciation—many of which are tax-deductible.
2. Insurance & Legal Requirements
Standard auto insurance may exclude passengers or commercial use—check your state rules and consider a rideshare policy or commercial auto insurance.
Rideshare may require vehicle age restrictions, background checks, and regular inspections .
3. Time & Wear on Your Car
More driving equals more wear, tear, and depreciation.
Plan for extra maintenance, oil changes, tire replacements, and accelerated mileage.
4. Balancing Earnings Across Platforms
Many drivers use multiple apps (Uber, DoorDash, Instacart) to stay busy and maximize earnings—around 70% report using more than one tool.
Instant payout options (Uber Instant Pay, DoorDash Fast Pay) help smooth cash flow.
Tips to Maximize Earnings
Image credit: Jéshoots (Pexels)
Whether you’re delivering food or shuttling passengers, the key to success is learning how to make money driving smarter—not harder.
Drive Smart Hours: Target peak times—rush hour, weekend evenings, major events.
Stack Gigs: Deliver food between rideshare trips or grocery shopping.
Aim for High Tips: Small touches (clean car, friendly conversation, amenities like water/chargers, ukulele performance) can increase tips.
Track Expenses: Use apps or spreadsheet logs to track mileage, repairs, gas, and supplies.
Use Instant Pay Options: Helps with your financial plan by getting cash out quickly.
Sample Weekly Earnings Breakdown
- Uber/Lyft
- Avg Earnings/hour: $20
- Hours/week: 10
- Estimated Weekly Income: $200
- DoorDash/Uber Eats
- Avg Earnings/hour: $17
- Hours/week: 10
- Estimated Weekly Income: $170
- Amazon Flex
- Avg Earnings/hour: $22
- Hours/week: 5
- Estimated Weekly Income: $110
- Carvertise Ads
- Avg Earnings/hour: —
- Hours/week: —
- Estimated Weekly Income: +$100/month ≈ $25/wk
TOTAL: ≈ $505
Final Thoughts
Using your vehicle as a side-gig tool offers tremendous flexibility and earning potential. Whether you prefer rideshare driving, grocery delivery, mystery shopping, or renting your car out, each option has its pros and cons:
Rideshare: High earning potential, social interactions, but higher wear and insurance costs.
Delivery (food, groceries, packages): Less passenger interaction, more consistent demand—but earnings heavily depend on tips.
Passive income gigs (car ads, rentals): Low-effort ways to monetize an idle vehicle.
Specialized services: Tours, child/shuttle transport, or long-distance carpooling offer niche opportunities that can pay more.
Using your car for a side hustle can net $300–$500+ weekly with smart planning, cost tracking, and combining different platforms. Be sure to plan for taxes, insurance, and maintenance expenses. With a proactive strategy—peak-hour driving, expense tracking, and revenue optimization—you can turn everyday driving into a lucrative source of supplemental income.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much money can you realistically make driving for side income?
In 2025, it’s realistic to earn between $300 and $700 per week by combining various driving-based gigs such as Uber, DoorDash, Amazon Flex, and Carvertise. The exact amount depends on the hours you drive, your location, vehicle efficiency, and your ability to stack gigs and work during peak hours. Many drivers also use multiple platforms to keep busy and optimize their routes.
What are the best apps to make money while driving in 2025?
Top-rated apps for earning money while driving include Uber and Lyft for rideshare, DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub for food delivery, Instacart and Shipt for grocery delivery, and Amazon Flex for package delivery. For passive income, apps like Carvertise and Turo are also excellent for advertising or renting out your vehicle.
Can you make passive income with your car?
Yes, you can generate passive income using your vehicle through services like Carvertise or Wrapify, which pay you to display advertisements on your car, and Turo or Getaround, which allow you to rent out your vehicle when it’s not in use. These platforms require minimal time investment once set up and can provide consistent monthly earnings.
Is food delivery better than rideshare driving?
Food delivery is often preferred over rideshare driving by those who want less interaction with passengers and more flexibility. While rideshare tends to have a higher per-trip earning potential, food delivery through apps like DoorDash or Uber Eats often results in more consistent demand and reduced liability risks, especially in areas with high restaurant density.
What kind of insurance do you need to drive for money?
Most personal auto insurance policies don’t cover commercial activities like rideshare or delivery driving. In 2025, drivers typically need rideshare-specific insurance or commercial auto insurance to stay legally and financially protected. These policies are often required by platforms and can help cover damages or liability beyond your personal policy.
Are earnings from driving side hustles taxable?
Yes, any income earned from driving-based side hustles is considered self-employment income by the IRS. If you earn more than $400 annually, you’ll need to file a Schedule C and pay self-employment tax, which is approximately 15.3% for Social Security and Medicare. You can deduct eligible expenses such as mileage, fuel, maintenance, tolls, and insurance premiums.
How do you maximize earnings when using your car for side gigs?
To maximize your earnings, it’s crucial to work during peak hours, use multiple gig platforms, and stack tasks like food delivery between rideshare trips. Tracking your mileage and expenses for tax deductions and using instant payout options also help boost your net income. Small efforts to improve customer experience—like keeping your car clean and offering amenities—can significantly increase your tips.
Is using your car for deliveries bad for the vehicle?
Using your car for deliveries or rideshare services does increase wear and tear, resulting in faster depreciation and more frequent maintenance like oil changes, tire replacements, and brake service. However, with proper upkeep and regular tracking of maintenance costs—many of which are tax-deductible—you can still maintain your vehicle’s long-term value while earning extra income.
What platforms let you rent out your car safely?
In 2025, the most trusted platforms for renting out your car are Turo and Getaround, both of which offer insurance protection, driver vetting, and 24/7 roadside assistance. These platforms handle payment processing and allow you to set availability and pricing, making it easy to earn money passively without personal involvement in daily rentals.
Are niche transportation gigs worth it?
Niche driving services such as airport shuttles, pet transportation, or child pick-ups can be highly profitable due to their specialized nature and higher per-mile rates. Platforms like Care.com or ToursByLocals can connect drivers with premium clientele, although some opportunities may require additional background checks, certifications, or licenses depending on the service.
Featured image credit: Peter Fazekas (Pexels)
