Ridesharing, car sharing, delivery and task services, and car wrap advertising are the five best ways to earn income from your car. What you actually take home now depends on three levers: how much of your on‑app time is “engaged” with a passenger or active delivery, your total miles including deadhead/positioning, and your true per‑mile costs. As practical baselines, the IRS standard mileage rate is 67¢ per mile (business use) and AAA’s latest “Your Driving Costs” average is roughly 80¢ per mile including depreciation and insurance (AAA). Demand patterns also shifted: weekday commutes remain softer, but airport/leisure travel is strong—TSA screened a record 3 million passengers in a single day in 2024 (TSA), supporting off‑peak and weekend rides.
To gauge earnings potential, translate everything to a net, per on‑app hour view. Simple illustration (not market‑specific): assume $28 gross per engaged hour, 60% utilization, 20 engaged miles/hour, and total miles equal to 1.4× engaged miles. Gross per on‑app hour ≈ $16.80. At 16.8 total miles/hour, vehicle expense at 67¢/mi ≈ $11.26/hour, leaving ≈ $5.50/hour pretax; if your costs are closer to ~80¢/mi (AAA), net is lower. Local policies can lift engaged‑time pay: New York City’s delivery worker minimum reaches $19.96/hour on April 1, 2025 (NYC DCWP); Washington State and Seattle set per‑mile/minute floors for ride‑hail trips (WA L&I); California’s Prop 22 guarantees at least 120% of local minimum wage for engaged time plus an indexed per‑mile reimbursement (UC Berkeley Labor Center); and Massachusetts’ 2024 settlement added a statewide engaged‑time floor and benefits (e.g., $32.50/hour engaged) (MA AG). These typically do not pay for waiting time, so utilization still drives outcomes.
Ridesharing Apps
Driving for a rideshare app (Uber, Lyft) remains a flexible way to monetize your vehicle, with best results when you target dense demand windows like airports, weekends, and evenings. Hybrid work keeps weekday commute peaks below pre‑pandemic norms, but travel‑related rides have rebounded strongly (TSA). App tech also matters: platforms continue to improve AI‑driven dispatch and routing to raise occupancy and cut cancellations (Uber product updates), and safety/matching features such as Lyft’s Women+ Connect can enhance comfort and retention while maintaining marketplace efficiency (Lyft Women+ Connect).
Published “salary” figures vary and often reflect engaged time instead of total on‑app time; compare like‑for‑like when reviewing Uber drivers and Lyft drivers. Remember to subtract ownership and operating costs, including insurance, fuel, maintenance, and depreciation. For modeling, use the IRS 67¢/mi as a baseline and sensitivity‑test higher all‑in costs (AAA estimates ~80¢/mi: source). Insurance has risen notably since 2021 (BLS CPI), compressing margins unless offset by fares, tips, or incentives.
Income potential:
- Uber: $$
- Lyft: $$
Uber
Uber remains the largest U.S. rideshare platform. Applicants must meet requirements (age, licensed driving experience, background/MVR checks, and a qualifying 4‑door vehicle; inspections often apply). City vehicle standards vary and are listed on their own requirements. If you lack a vehicle, Uber offers marketplace rentals via rent from a vehicle partner (rates vary by city, which reduces take‑home). Pay protection differs by state/city: in NYC, TLC driver pay rules set indexed per‑minute/per‑mile floors for trips (NYC TLC); Washington State sets statewide minimums (with higher Seattle city rates) for engaged time and per‑trip minimums (WA L&I); California’s Prop 22 guarantees at least 120% of local minimum wage for engaged time plus an indexed per‑mile reimbursement (Berkeley Labor Center); Minnesota’s 2025 law and Massachusetts’ 2024 settlement add additional floors and benefits (MN DLI; MA AG). Waiting time is typically not covered by these floors, so utilization still determines effective hourly pay.
Lyft
Lyft’s policies are broadly similar to Uber’s, but note a key update: Lyft now generally requires drivers to be 25+ in the U.S. (local exceptions may apply), and vehicles must meet city model‑year and inspection rules. Like Uber, Lyft drivers must also meet city and state requirements to be eligible. In certain markets, drivers can rent a car through Express Drive partners (age rules typically 25+). Lyft has also expanded Women+ Connect, an opt‑in matching feature designed to prioritize rides between women and nonbinary riders/drivers (program details).
Food Delivery
App‑based delivery offers flexible hours and multiple vehicle types (car, scooter, bike). Earnings depend on tips, base pay, batching/stacking, and local rules: NYC’s minimum pay for app‑based restaurant delivery workers steps to $19.96/hour on April 1, 2025 (NYC DCWP); Seattle’s PayUp ordinances set a city minimum for delivery networks (Seattle OLS); in California, Prop 22 provides an engaged‑time earnings floor plus an indexed per‑mile expense reimbursement (Berkeley Labor Center). Platforms use AI discovery and smarter routing to raise utilization and reduce cancellations, and some are piloting autonomous handoffs on short trips (Ask Instacart; Uber Eats/Serve Robotics).
Income potential:
- UberEats: $$
- GrubHub: $
- DoorDash: $
UberEats
UberEats drivers can deliver by bike, scooter, or car depending on the city. Requirements typically include minimum age by vehicle type, a valid license for motor vehicles, and background screening. Instant cashouts are available multiple times per day. Earnings vary widely by market, tips, and batching. In California, Prop 22’s guarantees apply to engaged time with a per‑mile reimbursement indexed annually (details). In some cities, local floors for delivery also influence outcomes (e.g., NYC and Seattle rules linked above). For insurance, note Uber’s status‑based coverage: at least 50/100/25 liability while waiting, and $1,000,000 liability during active trips; contingent comp/collision has a deductible and applies only if you carry these on your personal policy (Uber insurance).
DoorDash
DoorDash has minimal vehicle constraints (any roadworthy car for motor‑vehicle delivery; other modes vary by city). Both Glassdoor and Indeed show wide gross ranges due to tips, time of day, and order mix. A widely cited advocacy study found very low net earnings after expenses in some conditions (study), which helped catalyze city minimums (see NYC $19.96/hr in 2025; Seattle PayUp). Platforms now lean on batching/stacking and subscriptions/ads to improve unit economics (DoorDash IR).
GrubHub
GrubHub drivers must be at least 19 with a valid driver’s license and auto insurance; background checks apply. Average hourly results vary significantly by city, time, and tips—Indeed shows broad ranges and Glassdoor reports similarly variable earnings. Where in force, NYC and Seattle delivery pay rules set minimums that apply regardless of platform (see links above).
Delivery Driver (Other Goods and Services)
Beyond restaurant delivery, package and grocery routes can diversify income and often benefit from tighter routing/batching. As with rideshare, net pay depends on utilization and your per‑mile costs; use 67¢/mi IRS as a baseline and stress‑test closer to ~80¢/mi all‑in if you run a newer vehicle or face higher insurance/depreciation (AAA).
Income potential:
- TaskRabbit: $$$
- Amazon Flex: $$
- Amazon Fresh: $$
- Instacart: $
- Shipt: $
TaskRabbit
Taskers can choose from dozens of categories, many of which don’t require heavy driving (reducing vehicle costs). You must be 18+, pass an ID check, and pay a one‑time registration fee; rates are set by the Tasker. Marketplace averages vary by city and skill, and the best net outcomes come from minimizing low‑value travel between jobs.
Amazon Flex (packages)
Drivers delivering packages for Amazon Flex must be at least 21, hold a valid U.S. license, and use a qualifying vehicle and smartphone. Block offers commonly imply earnings in the high‑teens to mid‑$20s per hour before expenses, with tips on eligible deliveries paid after they finalize. True net depends on route density and miles; apply the expense model above to estimate your after‑cost earnings. Algorithmic batching and routing can lift utilization (more packages per mile) and smooth peaks.
Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods (groceries)
Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods grocery routes are part of the Flex ecosystem. You can choose independent‑contractor blocks (2–4 hours) or seek employee roles via delivery partners where available. Vehicle and driver requirements mirror Flex; utilization and mileage per block determine your net after vehicle costs.
Instacart
Instacart shoppers pick, pack, and deliver orders using their own vehicles. Shoppers must be 18+, authorized to work in the U.S., able to lift moderate weight, and have a reliable vehicle and smartphone. Platform AI (e.g., Ask Instacart) improves search/substitutions, which can reduce cancellations and increase order density. As always, model your net using total miles × per‑mile cost and consider peak hours near high‑volume stores to raise utilization.
Shipt
Shipt shopper requirements are similar to Instacart’s, with emphasis on accurate picking (especially produce). Reported earnings vary by city, order size, and tips; your net hinges on batching and minimizing non‑paying miles between shops and drop‑offs.
Rent Your Car When Not Using It
Short‑term car sharing can offset ownership costs if pricing and utilization cover variable and fixed expenses. Owner income is driven by price, booked days/hours, the platform’s take or protection plan, and your operating costs (miles, cleaning, depreciation, insurance). Use a conservative per‑mile expense when modeling (e.g., 67¢/mi; consider higher if your insurance/depreciation is elevated per AAA).
Income potential:
- Turo: $$$
- Getaround: $$
- HyreCar: $
Turo
Hosts choose a protection plan and keep roughly 60%–85% of the trip price depending on coverage trade‑offs; higher payout tiers carry higher deductibles and lower coverage (Turo host protection plans). The car must meet age/condition rules and be properly registered/insured. If you operate as a business with your own commercial policy, see commercial hosts. Earnings hinge on price × booked days minus variable costs (miles × your per‑mile cost, cleanings). Turo provides an earning calculator; for your own model, start with IRS 67¢/mi and adjust.
Getaround
Car sharing company Getaround typically pays owners about 60% of the time/distance price; guests also pay platform fees that don’t flow to owners (Getaround Help). In‑trip insurance coverage and roadside assistance are included, and some setups require telematics service fees. Vehicles must meet age/mileage/condition standards. A rough sensitivity: at an effective $55/day price for 15 booked days, a 60% share is ~$495 gross to the owner; with ~525 trip miles/month at 67¢/mi plus ~$50 cleaning, the net after variable costs is only about ~$90/month—so pricing, mileage limits, and utilization discipline are critical. Hosts should factor commission and any device/service fees into their model.
HyreCar
HyreCar connects vehicle owners with rideshare/delivery drivers for short‑term rentals. HyreCar includes insurance while the car is rented, and owners coordinate handoffs. According to HyreCar, owners can make up to $720 per month, but results vary with utilization, pricing, and operating costs; note that industry auto insurance costs have increased notably since 2021 (BLS CPI). Proactive marketing and careful screening can improve outcomes (owners).
Wrap Your Car in Advertising
Wrapping your vehicle can generate set‑and‑forget income if you already drive consistent miles. Mobile out‑of‑home (OOH) is benefiting from renewed marketer spend and better measurement—OOH remains one of the fastest‑growing ad channels in 2025 (MAGNA). Campaigns increasingly verify exposure using GPS/telematics and mobile‑location data (StreetMetrics), and creative best practices emphasize simple, high‑contrast messages with safe‑to‑scan QR execution where dwell exists (OAAA). Check local rules; some jurisdictions restrict “mobile billboard” practices when vehicles are parked long‑term on public streets (California Vehicle Code §395.5).
Income potential:
- Carvertise: $
- Wrapify: $
Carvertise
Both commuters and rideshare drivers can make money advertising for brands through Carvertise. Brand partners include Nascar, Wawa, Netflix, and Penn State. Vehicles must be at least 2008 or newer with a clean exterior and a minimum of 30 miles commute per day, and drivers should have a clean driving record. Drivers can expect to earn between $450-$1,500 per campaign and are matched to brands based on personal driving habits. The size of the campaign determines pay, with a base of $100 per month and an expected monthly income of $300.
Wrapify
Wrapify estimates that 95% of passenger vehicles for personal use are eligible, as long as they are 2010 or newer without major body or paint damage. Wrapify brands include LinkedIn, Pandora, Spotify, The Weather Channel, Expedia, and other outlets. Drivers must drive at least 50 miles daily and submit to a background and driving record check. Drivers are estimated to make between $174-$452 per month, depending on wrap level coverage. For best results, follow OOH creative guidance (OAAA) and confirm measurement/verification where available (StreetMetrics).
Conclusion
Driving‑based side hustles can add income but also add risk and vehicle wear. If you move forward, understand how insurance works by “period”: personal policy when offline; limited third‑party liability while waiting (often 50/100/25); and $1,000,000 third‑party liability once a trip is accepted on major TNCs. Physical damage to your car under TNC policies is contingent on you carrying comp/collision personally and often has a high deductible (commonly $2,500). Delivery platforms typically provide excess auto liability only while “on an active delivery” and do not cover your vehicle. Verify current platform certificates and consider endorsements/commercial policies to close gaps (Uber insurance; Lyft insurance; DoorDash insurance; consumer guidance from NAIC). In NYC, Black Car Fund benefits provide medical/disability support separate from auto liability (Black Car Fund). If you are considering earning income while driving your car, it’s important to understand insurance requirements and potential gaps in coverage. Before you decide, weigh realistic net earnings (after miles × cost per mile), local pay floors, and safety/insurance protections against your goals.
