DoorDash is a food delivery service that employs independent contractors to retrieve food from restaurants and deliver it to customers at their chosen location. But, as a Dasher, when are the best times to DoorDash?
When Are the Best Times to DoorDash?
The area where you live may determine the best times to drive for DoorDash, but in general, here are the best times to start dashing:
1. Deliver During Peak Times
Peak hours for the DoorDash app align with lunch and dinner because that is when most people want to eat.
Peak times commonly range from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM for lunch and 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM for dinner rush. But make sure to confirm this in the app. Peak times vary greatly by area, as well as by day of the week or when there are holidays or special events.
Mealtime is relative. In a Florida retirement home community dinner will happen at a much earlier time of day than it will on the Las Vegas Strip.
Still, 11 AM to 2 PM and 4:30 PM to 8 PM. would be the best times to deliver when you start out. As you get more comfortable with your delivery zones, you’ll find what works best.
2. Deliver in the Hottest Markets
When you log in to the DoorDash app, areas marked with a flame icon are the hottest markets where you can pick up the most orders and make the most money.
The flame signifies that the zone is a “Hotspot” area and typically very busy. Many DoorDash drivers will drive to the flame zones, open up the DoorDash app, and park and wait until appealing orders become available.
You get matched with potential orders that you are physically near, so being parked in the right areas is key.
3. Deliver During Streaks, Bonuses, and Promotions
DoorDash offers great incentives to encourage you to accept orders, deliver promptly, and make more money:
- Peak Pay. Promotions help you earn more per delivery during busy times. Peak Pay is a promotion DoorDash offers by giving you additional money to complete dashes.
- Challenges. Complete challenges like completing a certain number of deliveries in a set amount of time. These challenges can vary by area and have specific requirements for participation.
Related:
Know Your Market
The best times to drive for DoorDash will vary by market. You may know your market ultra-well, but the dasher app can offer up additional insights.
A “Dash Now” option will allow you to start dashing immediately if you are in a busy area. The map within the app will be red versus gray, and the darker the red, the more available orders are.
This real-time data allows drivers to get working right away and allow for income potential.
Through this feature, Many dashers find peak market hours to drive for DoorDash that fall outside of typical meal times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dasher, and what is a dashing?
A dasher is a driver, and dashing is the act of delivering for DoorDash.
How much do you get paid?
DoorDash driver’s pay varies based on the following, base pay, promotions, and tips.
How do I get paid?
DoorDash gives a variety of ways to get paid. You can do a weekly direct deposit, fast pay, or DasherDirect. DasherDirect is a co-branded Visa debit card.
What is Peak Pay?
When there is a lot of demand for dashers to meet the need, there may be a Peak Pay in the dasher app. If you deliver during these DoorDash peak hours, you make extra on top of your earnings.
What is the Slowest Day for DoorDash?
Typically Monday and Tuesday are the slowest and it ramps up during the end of the week and weekend.
What is the Busiest Day for DoorDash?
Friday is the most popular day of the week for food delivery on DoorDash, according to a 2022 dining trend report.
Is It Better to DoorDash in the Morning or Evening?
Most of our drivers agree that nighttime is the best time to drive for DoorDash.
You may get orders from people getting home after going out, late-night corporate employees, third-shift workers, or people who just sup later in the evening.
Experiment with some early morning and late night shifts to see what works best. Some dashers have found success in morning shifts for corporate businesses ordering breakfast.
If by nature you’re an early bird, the morning will work better for you. Do what works for you, your market, and the hours you are energized.
What is Top Dasher, and is it worth it?
Top Dasher is a program that DoorDash offers to recognize their best dashers. Qualifying drivers will receive unique benefits like first right of acceptance for high-paying orders or access to additional delivery zones.
To qualify for this promotion, you will need to re-qualify each month. So don’t be slacking on your dashing!
Qualifications for the Top Dasher program include:
- Customer rating of at least 4.7
- Acceptance rate of at least 70%
- Completion rate of at least 95%
- 100 completed deliveries during the last month
- At least 200 total lifetime deliveries completed
How long can I go without dashing?
If you are in good standing with DoorDash and maintain your Independent Contractor Agreement and DoorDash Service Provider Platform Access Policy, you can take a break from dashing without the risk of closing your account.
However, there is currently no guidance on the length of time you can go without dashing before your account is deactivated.
If you do not want to drive for several months or more, it may be best to look for another side gig altogether to earn extra money.
Does Doordash prioritize drivers?
Yes! DoorDash incentivizes top performers, drivers in priority areas, and new drivers to get started.
Priority Access is a benefit that allows dashers with a customer rating of at least 4.5 out of 5 stars and an acceptance rate of at least 50% to get priority access, increasing the likelihood of higher-paying orders. This prioritizes DoorDash drivers to keep a high acceptance rate and meet customer expectations.
What’s considered high-paying can vary by area and a diamond icon will be in the dasher app if the delivery qualifies as a “high-paying” order.
This is separate from the regular DoorDash driver program. But it is not hard to become a priority driver and reap the benefits. This incentive system makes it fair to all drivers — including new drivers who want to rise in the ranks.
When Should You Deliver for DoorDash?
As a Dasher, you can work any hour of the day, but dinner hours and lunch hours may be the most lucrative when you get the most generous customer tips.
DoorDash offers excellent incentives, perks, and challenges to make things fun and profitable during non-meal hours too.
Depending on your area or location, the best times can vary. Start playing around in the app to find out the best times to drive for DoorDash for your specific area and set yourself up for success and make great money.
