Do you want to increase your income in a flexible way? Whether you’re saving up for a dream vacation, paying down debt, or just trying to outpace inflation, the gig economy has never been more accommodating. If you own a reliable vehicle, a smartphone, and have a bit of free time, you’re already sitting in a money-making machine.
Gone are the days when delivering pizzas or carpooling were your only options for driving-related side hustles. Today, there are dozens of apps designed to help you monetize your car on your own schedule. You can drive people, deliver groceries, haul furniture, or even rent your car out while you sleep!
In this comprehensive guide, we’re breaking down the best apps for making extra cash behind the wheel. We’ve categorized them so you can find the perfect fit for your vehicle type, personality, and schedule. Let’s hit the road!
In this comprehensive guide, we’re breaking down the best apps for making extra cash behind the wheel. We’ve categorized them so you can find the perfect fit for your vehicle type, personality, and schedule. Let’s hit the road!
Rideshare Driving Apps
When people think of making money with their cars, ridesharing is usually the first thing that comes to mind. If you love chatting with people, exploring your city, and having ultimate control over your hours, these two giants are your best bet.
When people think of making money with their cars, ridesharing is usually the first thing that comes to mind. If you love chatting with people, exploring your city, and having ultimate control over your hours, these two giants are your best bet.
1. Uber
As the undisputed king of the rideshare world, Uber offers unparalleled demand. Whether you’re driving the early morning airport shift, the afternoon commuter rush, or the late-night weekend crowd, there is almost always a passenger waiting for a ride.
As the undisputed king of the rideshare world, Uber offers unparalleled demand. Whether you’re driving the early morning airport shift, the afternoon commuter rush, or the late-night weekend crowd, there is almost always a passenger waiting for a ride.
- The Vibe: High volume, constant pings, and a highly refined driver app that makes navigation and earnings tracking a breeze.
- Requirements: You’ll need to meet minimum age requirements for your city, pass a background check, and have a 4-door vehicle that meets Uber's age and cosmetic standards.
2. Lyft
Often viewed as the friendlier alternative to Uber, Lyft has a massive footprint across the United States. Many drivers operate both Uber and Lyft simultaneously (a strategy known as "multi-apping") to minimize downtime.
Often viewed as the friendlier alternative to Uber, Lyft has a massive footprint across the United States. Many drivers operate both Uber and Lyft simultaneously (a strategy known as "multi-apping") to minimize downtime.
- The Vibe: Lyft often emphasizes community and driver support. They frequently offer great sign-up bonuses and "streak" bonuses for completing consecutive rides.
- Requirements: Similar to Uber, you need a 4-door car in good condition, a valid license, and a clean background check.
Delivery Driving Apps and Furniture Moving
Don't want strangers in your backseat? No problem. If you have a larger vehicle—like an SUV, minivan, pickup truck, or cargo van—or if you don't mind a bit of heavy lifting, the logistics and moving sector pays exceptionally well.
3. Sharetown
Sharetown is a unique "reverse logistics" app. When customers buy online mattresses or large furniture items and decide to return them, Sharetown reps pick up those items, clean them, and resell them.
The Perks: Your earning potential per item is much higher than standard delivery because you are essentially flipping high-value items. It’s perfect if you have a truck or van and space to store a mattress or two temporarily.
The Perks: Your earning potential per item is much higher than standard delivery because you are essentially flipping high-value items. It’s perfect if you have a truck or van and space to store a mattress or two temporarily.
4. Amazon Flex
With Amazon Flex, you become the final step in Amazon’s massive delivery network. You reserve "blocks" of time (usually 3 to 5 hours) and pick up a route's worth of packages from a local distribution center.
The Perks: You know exactly how much you will make before you accept a block. It’s consistent, solitary work—just you, your favorite podcast, and a trunk full of smiling prime boxes.
With Amazon Flex, you become the final step in Amazon’s massive delivery network. You reserve "blocks" of time (usually 3 to 5 hours) and pick up a route's worth of packages from a local distribution center.
The Perks: You know exactly how much you will make before you accept a block. It’s consistent, solitary work—just you, your favorite podcast, and a trunk full of smiling prime boxes.
5. TaskRabbit
While TaskRabbit offers all sorts of odd jobs (from mounting TVs to assembling IKEA furniture), "Moving" and "Delivery" are two of its most popular categories.
The Perks: You set your own hourly rate! If you have a truck and don't mind helping people move apartments or haul away junk, you can easily charge a premium hourly wage.
While TaskRabbit offers all sorts of odd jobs (from mounting TVs to assembling IKEA furniture), "Moving" and "Delivery" are two of its most popular categories.
The Perks: You set your own hourly rate! If you have a truck and don't mind helping people move apartments or haul away junk, you can easily charge a premium hourly wage.
6. Lugg
Lugg is like Uber for moving and large item delivery. Customers use it when they buy a couch off Craigslist or need to move a few items to a storage unit.
The Perks: You can sign up as a driver (if you have a truck/van) or a helper. You work in teams of two, and the app handles all the pricing and routing. Tips in the moving industry are generally quite generous!
Lugg is like Uber for moving and large item delivery. Customers use it when they buy a couch off Craigslist or need to move a few items to a storage unit.
The Perks: You can sign up as a driver (if you have a truck/van) or a helper. You work in teams of two, and the app handles all the pricing and routing. Tips in the moving industry are generally quite generous!
7. GoShare
If you own a pickup truck, cargo van, or box truck, GoShare is a must-download. They connect drivers with businesses and individuals who need last-mile delivery or moving help.
The Perks: GoShare boasts some of the highest hourly earnings in the gig economy for truck and van owners. Even if you have a standard car, you can sign up for smaller courier routes, though the big money is in the big vehicles.
If you own a pickup truck, cargo van, or box truck, GoShare is a must-download. They connect drivers with businesses and individuals who need last-mile delivery or moving help.
The Perks: GoShare boasts some of the highest hourly earnings in the gig economy for truck and van owners. Even if you have a standard car, you can sign up for smaller courier routes, though the big money is in the big vehicles.
8. Roadie
Roadie, a UPS company, is an "on-the-way" delivery network. It's designed to match deliveries with the direction you are already driving.
The Perks: It’s incredible for road trips! If you are driving from Atlanta to Orlando, you can pick up a few items heading the same way and pay for your gas and snacks along the journey. They deliver everything from cupcakes to lost airline luggage.
Roadie, a UPS company, is an "on-the-way" delivery network. It's designed to match deliveries with the direction you are already driving.
The Perks: It’s incredible for road trips! If you are driving from Atlanta to Orlando, you can pick up a few items heading the same way and pay for your gas and snacks along the journey. They deliver everything from cupcakes to lost airline luggage.
9. Spark Driver
Walmart’s proprietary delivery app, Spark, is exploding in popularity. Drivers pick up groceries, home goods, and electronics from local Walmart stores and deliver them to customers.
The Perks: The pickup process is largely automated (store associates often load the groceries right into your trunk). In many markets, Spark pays better base rates than traditional food delivery apps.
Walmart’s proprietary delivery app, Spark, is exploding in popularity. Drivers pick up groceries, home goods, and electronics from local Walmart stores and deliver them to customers.
The Perks: The pickup process is largely automated (store associates often load the groceries right into your trunk). In many markets, Spark pays better base rates than traditional food delivery apps.
Grocery Shopping and Delivery Apps
If you know your way around a produce aisle and enjoy picking out the perfect avocado, grocery shopping apps offer a great mix of walking (getting your steps in!) and driving.
If you know your way around a produce aisle and enjoy picking out the perfect avocado, grocery shopping apps offer a great mix of walking (getting your steps in!) and driving.
10. Instacart
Instacart is the most widely recognized grocery delivery app. As a "Full-Service Shopper," you receive a grocery list on your phone, navigate the store, check out with a provided payment card, and drive the groceries to the customer.
The Vibe: High demand and availability in almost every city. The app tells you exactly which aisle items are in, making the shopping process highly efficient once you learn your local stores.
Instacart is the most widely recognized grocery delivery app. As a "Full-Service Shopper," you receive a grocery list on your phone, navigate the store, check out with a provided payment card, and drive the groceries to the customer.
The Vibe: High demand and availability in almost every city. The app tells you exactly which aisle items are in, making the shopping process highly efficient once you learn your local stores.
11. Shipt
Owned by Target, Shipt operates on a membership model and heavily relies on excellent customer service.
The Vibe: Shipt customers have the ability to "prefer" shoppers. If you communicate well, pick great produce, and deliver with a smile, you can build a roster of regular clients who tip incredibly well.
Owned by Target, Shipt operates on a membership model and heavily relies on excellent customer service.
The Vibe: Shipt customers have the ability to "prefer" shoppers. If you communicate well, pick great produce, and deliver with a smile, you can build a roster of regular clients who tip incredibly well.
Food Delivery Driving Apps
Restaurant delivery is the quintessential gig economy job. It’s incredibly easy to get started, the barrier to entry is low, and the demand during lunch and dinner rushes is massive.
Restaurant delivery is the quintessential gig economy job. It’s incredibly easy to get started, the barrier to entry is low, and the demand during lunch and dinner rushes is massive.
12. DoorDash
DoorDash commands the largest market share of food delivery in the United States. If there are restaurants in your town, there are probably Dashers.
The Perks: The app is very intuitive. You can schedule "Dashes" in advance or jump on using the "Dash Now" feature when your local zone is busy (highlighted in red on the map). Peak pay during busy times or bad weather can seriously boost your hourly rate.
DoorDash commands the largest market share of food delivery in the United States. If there are restaurants in your town, there are probably Dashers.
The Perks: The app is very intuitive. You can schedule "Dashes" in advance or jump on using the "Dash Now" feature when your local zone is busy (highlighted in red on the map). Peak pay during busy times or bad weather can seriously boost your hourly rate.
13. Uber Eats
Because it is integrated with the main Uber platform, Uber Eats allows you to seamlessly toggle between taking passengers and delivering food.
The Perks: Flexibility. If you are tired of making small talk with passengers, you can simply switch your app to "deliveries only" and spend the rest of the night dropping off tacos and sushi while listening to your own music.
Because it is integrated with the main Uber platform, Uber Eats allows you to seamlessly toggle between taking passengers and delivering food.
The Perks: Flexibility. If you are tired of making small talk with passengers, you can simply switch your app to "deliveries only" and spend the rest of the night dropping off tacos and sushi while listening to your own music.
14. Grubhub
Grubhub is a veteran in the food delivery space. While they have a slightly smaller market share than DoorDash, they remain highly lucrative in specific regional markets.
The Perks: Grubhub uses a block-scheduling system. In many markets, if you schedule a block and accept a certain percentage of orders, they will guarantee a minimum hourly wage even if it’s a slow night.
Grubhub is a veteran in the food delivery space. While they have a slightly smaller market share than DoorDash, they remain highly lucrative in specific regional markets.
The Perks: Grubhub uses a block-scheduling system. In many markets, if you schedule a block and accept a certain percentage of orders, they will guarantee a minimum hourly wage even if it’s a slow night.
Driving Task Apps
Want to do something a little different? These apps involve driving, but the actual "gig" is highly specialized, offering a refreshing break from typical delivery or rideshare work.
Want to do something a little different? These apps involve driving, but the actual "gig" is highly specialized, offering a refreshing break from typical delivery or rideshare work.
15. WeGoLook
Do you have a good eye for detail? WeGoLook dispatches "Lookers" to take photos and collect data. You might be sent to take pictures of a car involved in an accident for an insurance company, or to verify the condition of a piece of real estate.
The Vibe: It feels a bit like being a private investigator. You get paid per "Look," and it’s low-stress, zero-heavy-lifting work.
Do you have a good eye for detail? WeGoLook dispatches "Lookers" to take photos and collect data. You might be sent to take pictures of a car involved in an accident for an insurance company, or to verify the condition of a piece of real estate.
The Vibe: It feels a bit like being a private investigator. You get paid per "Look," and it’s low-stress, zero-heavy-lifting work.
16. Rinse
Rinse is a premium dry cleaning and laundry delivery service. As a driver, your job is to pick up bags of laundry from customers in the evening and deliver fresh, clean clothes back to them.
The Vibe: Unlike food delivery where you wait at restaurants, Rinse routes are pre-planned. You know exactly where you are going, making for very predictable and stable evening shifts.
Rinse is a premium dry cleaning and laundry delivery service. As a driver, your job is to pick up bags of laundry from customers in the evening and deliver fresh, clean clothes back to them.
The Vibe: Unlike food delivery where you wait at restaurants, Rinse routes are pre-planned. You know exactly where you are going, making for very predictable and stable evening shifts.
17. Gopuff
Gopuff operates differently than DoorDash or Uber Eats. Instead of driving to 15 different restaurants, you pick up all your orders from a single, centralized Gopuff micro-fulfillment center.
The Vibe: You deliver snacks, drinks, over-the-counter medicine, and alcohol. Because you always return to the same home base, you get to know the warehouse staff and other drivers, creating a fun, communal work environment.
Gopuff operates differently than DoorDash or Uber Eats. Instead of driving to 15 different restaurants, you pick up all your orders from a single, centralized Gopuff micro-fulfillment center.
The Vibe: You deliver snacks, drinks, over-the-counter medicine, and alcohol. Because you always return to the same home base, you get to know the warehouse staff and other drivers, creating a fun, communal work environment.
18. CitizenShipper
If you love road trips and animals, CitizenShipper is a dream gig. This platform connects drivers with people who need to transport hard-to-ship items—most notably, pets!
The Vibe: You can bid on transport jobs (e.g., driving a rescue dog from Texas to Colorado). It requires serious responsibility, but getting paid to take a cross-country road trip with a cute dog is the ultimate side hustle for animal lovers.
If you love road trips and animals, CitizenShipper is a dream gig. This platform connects drivers with people who need to transport hard-to-ship items—most notably, pets!
The Vibe: You can bid on transport jobs (e.g., driving a rescue dog from Texas to Colorado). It requires serious responsibility, but getting paid to take a cross-country road trip with a cute dog is the ultimate side hustle for animal lovers.
Other Ways to Make Money with Your Car
What if you want to make money with your car without actually being behind the wheel? If your car spends most of its life sitting in your driveway or parking at your office, peer-to-peer car-sharing can turn it into a passive income stream.
19. Turo
Often described as "Airbnb for cars," Turo allows you to list your personal vehicle for rent. Tourists and locals can book your car for days or weeks at a time.
The Perks: You set your own daily rates, mileage limits, and availability. Turo provides up to $750,000 in liability insurance for hosts, so you are protected while others are driving your vehicle.
Often described as "Airbnb for cars," Turo allows you to list your personal vehicle for rent. Tourists and locals can book your car for days or weeks at a time.
The Perks: You set your own daily rates, mileage limits, and availability. Turo provides up to $750,000 in liability insurance for hosts, so you are protected while others are driving your vehicle.
20. Getaround
Getaround is another car-sharing platform, but it leans heavily into contactless, on-demand rentals. They install a proprietary piece of hardware in your car that allows renters to unlock the car with their phone.
The Perks: Because of the instant-unlock technology, you don't even have to be present to hand over the keys. Renters can book your car by the hour, making it perfect for city dwellers who just need a car for a quick IKEA run.
Getaround is another car-sharing platform, but it leans heavily into contactless, on-demand rentals. They install a proprietary piece of hardware in your car that allows renters to unlock the car with their phone.
The Perks: Because of the instant-unlock technology, you don't even have to be present to hand over the keys. Renters can book your car by the hour, making it perfect for city dwellers who just need a car for a quick IKEA run.
Pro-Tips for Maximizing Your Driving Income
Before you grab your keys and download every app on this list, here are a few quick tips to ensure you are actually turning a profit:
1. Multi-App Like a Pro: Don't rely on just one app. Sign up for DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Amazon Flex. If it’s a slow Tuesday for food delivery, you might be able to snag a great Amazon route instead.
2. Track Every Mile: As an independent contractor, the miles you drive are tax-deductible! Use apps like Stride or Everlance to automatically track your miles so you can lower your tax bill come April.
3. Know Your Insurance: Standard personal auto insurance often does not cover you while you are doing commercial gig work. Call your insurance agent and ask about a "rideshare endorsement." It usually only costs a few extra dollars a month and will save you from financial ruin if you get into a fender bender on the job.
4. Factor in Depreciation: Remember that making $20 an hour isn't pure profit. You are spending money on gas, tires, oil changes, and overall vehicle depreciation. Drive smart, accept orders that make sense for the mileage, and don't be afraid to hit the "decline" button if a trip doesn't pay enough.
2. Track Every Mile: As an independent contractor, the miles you drive are tax-deductible! Use apps like Stride or Everlance to automatically track your miles so you can lower your tax bill come April.
3. Know Your Insurance: Standard personal auto insurance often does not cover you while you are doing commercial gig work. Call your insurance agent and ask about a "rideshare endorsement." It usually only costs a few extra dollars a month and will save you from financial ruin if you get into a fender bender on the job.
4. Factor in Depreciation: Remember that making $20 an hour isn't pure profit. You are spending money on gas, tires, oil changes, and overall vehicle depreciation. Drive smart, accept orders that make sense for the mileage, and don't be afraid to hit the "decline" button if a trip doesn't pay enough.
Ready to Hit the Road?
The gig economy has transformed the way we view our vehicles. They are no longer just money-pits that require gas and maintenance; they are tools for financial freedom. Whether you want to deliver late-night pizzas, haul a sofa across town, or take a golden retriever on a cross-country road trip, there is an app out there waiting for you.
Pick two or three apps that match your vehicle and lifestyle, complete your background checks, and take your first trip. Safe driving, and happy earning!
Pick two or three apps that match your vehicle and lifestyle, complete your background checks, and take your first trip. Safe driving, and happy earning!