Does DoorDash Pay for Your Gas?
Written by
Andrew Lisa
Edited by
Emily Gadd
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
DoorDash does not pay its drivers for gas or reimburse their fuel expenses. Its “Dashers” are independent contractors who DoorDash considers to be responsible for the costs of owning, maintaining and operating their own vehicles — including buying gas.
However, the company does offer a handful of programs that can help diminish pain at the pump, which is a primary concern for contractors who rely on their cars to earn their gig money.
Ways to Save on Gas While Driving for DoorDash
DoorDash does not offer stipends for gas purchases or reimburse fuel expenses, but it created the following three programs and partnerships to ease the burden on Dashers and help reduce the ongoing expense of gassing up.
| GasBuddy Integration | Shell Fuel Rewards | Dasher Direct |
|---|---|---|
| – GasBuddy is a leading app for finding cheap fuel. The crowdsourced platform provides gas prices in a driver’s vicinity with real-time updates.
– It’s free to use for the general public, but DoorDash integrated it into its Dasher app. -That makes it easy for Dashers to benefit from its functionality without having to download the GasBuddy app or sign up for a GasBuddy card. |
– Shell and DoorDash partnered to help Dashers save money at the pump.
– The Shell Fuel Rewards program saves Dashers $0.25 per gallon on their first fill-up after joining and $0.06 per gallon on each subsequent fill-up. Dashers must join the program through Shell to participate. |
– In a partnership with Payfare, DoorDash provides Dashers with DasherDirect prepaid cards that let them receive payments instantly without a fee — but that’s not the only perk.
– All U.S.-based Dashers with a DasherDirect card can earn cash back on gas purchases. |
How to Minimize Gas and Car Expenses
The Department of Energy offers the following tips for minimizing gas costs.
- Drive cautiously: Rapid acceleration, sudden braking, speeding and other aggressive driving habits can reduce your fuel economy by 5% in town and 33% on the highway.
- Unpack: Every 100 pounds of excess weight can reduce your mileage by 2%.
- Shut off the engine: Idling can burn between a quarter-gallon and a half-gallon of gas per hour.
- Slow down: Cars burn more gas at higher speeds. Every 5 mph over 50 mph adds the equivalent of $0.25 per gallon of fuel.
- Keep the roof clear: Loaded roof racks shave roughly 5% off your vehicle’s fuel economy.
- Maintain your vehicle: Keeping your engine tuned, properly inflating your tires, using the right motor oil and replacing clogged air filters can improve fuel economy.
DoorDash also has a program designed to help Dashers reduce the cost of vehicle ownership. Dashers who sign up for CarAdvise can snag two credits that are each good for $10 off at shops like Firestone, Pep Boys and Jiffy Lube.
Do You Qualify for Tax Deductions as a Dasher?
DoorDash partnered with Everlance to give Dashers a 20% discount for one year of a Premium subscription to the mileage and expense reimbursement platform.
At tax time, Dashers will be glad they were meticulous in keeping records. According to Everlance, drivers can claim the following deductions.
- Health insurance
- Tools and services
- Mileage or car expenses (not both)
- Courier backpacks, blankets and hot bags
- Phone and service bills
- Inspections
- Parking
- Tolls
- Roadside assistance
In Closing
DoorDash doesn’t pay for its drivers’ fuel, but it does offer some valuable programs and partnerships to reduce the cost of putting gas in the tank. Dashers, themselves, can also minimize their costs by driving prudently, tracking their expenses and claiming all available deductions at tax time.
FAQ
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding DoorDash.- Can you write off gas for DoorDash?
- As an independent contractor, you may be able to write off gas when you file your taxes. Make sure to keep extensive records of how much you drive for DoorDash.
- Does DoorDash pay for mileage?
- No. However, they offer programs that can give you discounts on car maintenance.
- Is DoorDash worth it considering gas expenses?
- That depends on how much gas costs where you live and how much you are able to earn as a Dasher.
Our in-house research team and on-site financial experts work together to create content that’s accurate, impartial, and up to date. We fact-check every single statistic, quote and fact using trusted primary resources to make sure the information we provide is correct. You can learn more about GOBankingRates’ processes and standards in our editorial policy.
- U.S. Department of Energy "Gas-Saving Tips"
