Why unpaid return miles matter to delivery drivers

An order may end a long way from the next useful pickup area. Driving back or repositioning takes time and vehicle resources even when it is not part of the originally quoted distance.

Calculate effective driving distance

Imagine a $12 delivery covering 5 offered miles. You expect another 3 miles returning toward restaurants. Your effective distance is 8 miles. The payout divided by miles drops from $2.40 per offered mile to $1.50 per total expected mile, before expenses.

Not every delivery requires a return drive

If you regularly receive useful new offers near the drop-off, the return distance could be zero. Avoid blindly doubling every offer mileage figure. Make the estimate fit the location, time of day and your working area.

Also account for time

Repositioning takes minutes that affect net hourly earnings. Estimate both cost per mile and total duration, then use your completed-delivery records to improve predictions.

See how to evaluate DoorDash offers or the general delivery driver profit guide.

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DropVera is independent of DoorDash, Uber and other delivery platforms. Profit estimates are not guaranteed earnings or tax advice. Use DropVera only when safely parked.