Best times to DoorDash

May 20, 2024 6 min read
Best times to DoorDash

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Food delivery services are a great way to get food delivered right to your doorstep or earn money by delivering food for others. There are many different food delivery services available, but DoorDash definitely tops the list.

DoorDash is a food delivery app that connects customers with local restaurants. You can order any food you want, and they will deliver it to you. Like many other delivery services, this one employs drivers to deliver food on behalf of restaurants and customers.

With that in mind, if you are already a DoorDasher or looking to be one, you need to know the best times to DoorDash to make the most money. In this blog post, we will look at the best times to DoorDash, how much you can make DoorDashing, and how to become a DoorDash driver.

What is the best time to DoorDash?

The best times to DoorDash are during peak hours, and these hours vary from city to city. The peak hours for one restaurant might be different from the peak hours of another restaurant within the same area.

DoorDash peak hours also vary depending on the day of the week. For example, Saturday nights are typically busier than Sunday mornings. The best way to find out when peak hours are in your area is by looking at the DoorDash app or website to see what times are the busiest.

Some restaurants may have a higher demand than others at specific periods, leading to a higher earning potential for DoorDash drivers during those peak times.

As such, you need to be aware of the peak times in your city and plan your driving schedule accordingly to maximize your earnings.

Best peak times for DoorDashing

Morning rush hour

DoorDash morning shift is a great time to DoorDash, especially if you have an early work schedule. You can DoorDash from about eight in the morning until noon. This is a great time to DoorDash because many people are just getting up and want breakfast. At the same time, there are often not as many delivery drivers available as there are in the evening.

Lunchtime

Lunchtime is also a peak time to DoorDash since many people want food delivered to their offices. You can DoorDash from about eleven in the morning until two in the afternoon. This is peak time because you are likely to receive many orders, which means you can make a lot of money in a short period.

Dinner time

Dinner time is the busiest time to DoorDash. Restaurants are usually busy, and people are ordering food for delivery. You can DoorDash from about five in the evening until eight or nine in the evening.

Late night dinner time

Many late-night corporate employees and people who work late look for late-night food deliveries. So if you have a flexible schedule, late dinner time might be your best DoorDash time.

You can deliver orders from about nine in the evening until midnight or one o’clock in the morning. This is an excellent time to DoorDash because there are not as too many drivers on the road, and you can get your deliveries done quickly.

What can you expect from DoorDash deliveries?

As a DoorDash delivery driver, you are responsible for picking up food orders from restaurants, driving to customers’ homes or businesses, and then dropping off those orders.

You are expected to use your own car and deliver orders in a safe manner. You are also expected to be courteous and professional when interacting with customers.

When you first start DoorDashing, it will be difficult to get food delivery orders in your area. You may have to wait until a restaurant is closer to your location or until you have more ratings and reviews. Once you become a more experienced DoorDash driver, you will have an easier time getting orders.

You can also expect to earn tips from customers, which can be a significant source of income. Tips vary depending on the customer’s satisfaction with your delivery. In general, you can expect to earn more tips if you provide excellent customer service and if you have a positive attitude.

Also, some food delivery apps have a feature called peak pay. Peak pay is a bonus that you can earn if you complete a certain number of deliveries during peak hours.

DoorDashing can be challenging at first, but it surely becomes easier over time. You will also have the opportunity to work flexible hours and receive a variety of food delivery orders.

Generally speaking, this job is not for everyone. However, if you have a passion for delivering food and are willing to put in the time and effort required, you can turn DoorDashing into a full-time job.

How to become an independent DoorDash driver?

To become a DoorDash delivery driver, you must have at least one year of driving experience, be at least 18 years old, and have a valid driver’s license. You also need a smartphone with the DoorDash app installed.

After creating an account, you will need to complete a driver application. Once your application is approved, you will need to go through a background check, have your car inspected, and you will need to attend an orientation and training session.

Once you are a DoorDash driver, you can choose the hours that work best for you. You can work as much or as little as you want, and you can cancel or change your availability at any time.

How much can you make DoorDashing?

DoorDash delivery drivers can expect to get paid 23$ per hour while on a delivery, but the amount varies depending on your location and how busy it is.

Also, most food delivery companies pay drivers tips from customers on top of the base rate. So the more deliveries you make, the more money you can earn.

Some companies also offer drivers a chance to receive “boosts” during peak hours. A boost is an added bonus that drivers receive for making a certain number of deliveries during busy times.

Delivery drivers can also make extra money by referring friends or family members to become DoorDash drivers.

How to maximize your earnings while DoorDashing?

The first tip is to dash at peak hours. The best time to DoorDash is usually during the dinner rush when restaurants are busiest, and people are most likely to order food delivery.

However, there are also busy times during the day and early evening. Some examples are lunchtime, 12 pm-1 pm, and early dinner time, around six o’clock.

The later it gets into the evening after the dinner rush is over, the fewer people will be ordering delivery. So if you’re looking to make the most money possible, try to DoorDash during peak hours.

Another way to maximize your earnings is to always be on time. This is something you probably already know, but being on time means accepting orders quickly, getting there early, and delivering food promptly.

You can also make more money by taking high-paying orders, and you can do this by targeting high-income areas and neighborhoods.

Also, being efficient and quick with your deliveries will help ensure good ratings from customers, which can result in more orders and more tips.

Finally, always be friendly and courteous to your customers. This is the most important thing when it comes to delivering food. People usually order delivery because they are hungry and tired and might not be in the mood to talk. But everyone feels better when greeted with a smile.

A friendly attitude can go a long way, so always be kind and polite to your customers.

DoorDash tips for success

When you deliver food, you need to be efficient and quick with your deliveries. This will ensure good ratings from customers, which can result in more orders and more tips.

Some tips to help you deliver food quickly and efficiently are:

  • Park close to the restaurant you are delivering from
  • Have your driver’s license and DoorDash app ready to show the customer
  • Knock on the door and wait for the customer to answer
  • If the customer is not there, leave the food on the front porch
  • Be sure to enter the correct address on your phone
  • Use GPS or directions from the DoorDash app to find the customer
  • Be polite and courteous to the customer, and always smile

Final Remarks

DoorDashing is a great way of making money, but you have to know the best times to DoorDash. It is not a complicated job, and you don’t need any prior experience. However, you must follow some rules and regulations of DoorDashing if you are looking to do it on a regular basis.

Disclaimer

Actual earnings may differ and depend on factors like number of deliveries completed, time of day, location, and expenses. Hourly pay is calculated using average Dasher payouts while on a delivery (from the time you accept an order until the time you drop it off) over a 90 day period and includes compensation from peak pay, tips, and other incentives.