Gig Driver Earnings Calculator

Uber, Lyft, DoorDash or Instacart — see what you really earn per hour after gas and wear on your car.

Why your app's hourly number isn't your real pay

Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and Instacart show what you earned while online. They don't subtract gas, oil changes, tires and the value your car loses with every mile. Those costs often take 25–40% of what the app shows. This calculator subtracts them so you can compare gig driving honestly with any other side hustle.

What to enter

  • Weekly app earnings: total payouts including tips, from your earnings tab.
  • Hours online: count waiting time too, not just time on trips.
  • Miles: every mile with the app on, including driving to pickups and back from drop-offs.
  • Maintenance & depreciation: $0.10–$0.15 a mile is a reasonable estimate for most sedans.

The mileage deduction

For taxes, most drivers deduct the IRS standard mileage rate instead of actual car costs. For 2026 the IRS set 72.5¢ a mile for January through June and raised it to 76¢ for miles driven from July 1. The deduction often wipes out most of the taxable profit from driving, but only if you keep a mileage log. An app or a simple mileage log book both work.

Raise your true hourly: Drive only the busiest windows (Friday and Saturday nights, airport rushes, big events). Decline long unpaid return trips and run two apps at once to cut idle time.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Uber and Lyft drivers really make per hour?

Gross pay commonly lands between $18 and $30 an hour depending on city and timing. After gas and car wear, many drivers net roughly $12–$22 an hour.

What is the IRS mileage rate for 2026?

The IRS set 72.5 cents per mile for January–June 2026 and raised it to 76 cents per mile for business miles driven from July 1, 2026. Check IRS.gov for any later change.

Is DoorDash or Uber better for earnings?

It depends on your market. Delivery suits shorter shifts and smaller cars, and rideshare pays more per trip around events and airports. Many drivers run both and keep the better offer.