20+ Uber Eats Driver Tips & Tricks In May 2025? [Free]
There are many ways to make more money if you're an Uber Eats driver. This blog post will share tips and tricks to help you make more money as an Uber Eats driver.
From knowing when to work to how to deal with demanding customers, we've got all the info you need to get started. So read on and learn everything you need to know about driving for Uber Eats! Here we will discuss 20 Uber Eats driver tips and tricks to help you make more money.
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How Much Do Uber Eats Drivers Make?
As an Uber Eats driver, you are likely curious about how much you can make as a delivery driver.
The answer to this question varies greatly depending on various factors such as where you live, the hours you work, and the number of orders you accept. However, it is possible to make a decent income as an Uber Eats driver.
The average hourly rate for an UberEats driver is roughly $12 - $18, but you can make more depending on your area and the number of orders you accept.
This is the only pay rate that an Uber Eats driver can expect. Other income streams, such as tips, promotions, and referral bonuses, can also be earned to increase your earnings.
How Much Do Independent Contractors Make?
As an independent contractor for Uber Eats, you are essentially your boss. You can set your hours, making it a great way to earn extra money while maintaining flexibility.
As an independent contractor, you also have a right to accept other orders and work with other delivery services when you are not fulfilling orders for Uber Eats.
In this way, your earning potential is not limited to Uber Eats alone. You will easily make $20 - $30 an hour while working as an independent contractor for Uber Eats.
Uber Eats Driver Tips and Tricks to Make More Money
There are a few tips and tricks that you can use to make more money while driving for Uber Eats in 2025. These include:
1. Deliver During Peak Hours To Make The Most Money
Delivering during peak hours, such as lunch and dinner time, can help you make more money since these are the times when most people order food.
Peak times in cities are usually when people commute to and from work or school. During these times, Uber Eats drivers can find more orders as demand is higher than during off-peak hours.
This higher demand can lead to more money for Uber Eats drivers.
2. Know Your Way Around Town So You Can Take Shortcuts And Avoid Traffic
Knowing your way around can save you time and energy, especially from point A to point B. With that in mind, take some time to learn the streets, back roads, and shortcuts of any town you frequent.
Doing this will reduce your food delivery time, and you can make more money by avoiding traffic jams. You can save precious time as an Uber Eats driver by staying informed and exploring different routes.
3. Offer Additional Services Or Helping With Groceries
When you are on the way to deliver your Uber Eats order, you can also offer to pick up other items, such as ketchup, drinks, or groceries.
This way, you can make extra money by providing additional services to customers and helping them with their daily errands.
It can be anything that makes life a little easier for people who may not have the time or energy to take care of specific tasks.
Offering these extra services is a fantastic way to enhance customer loyalty, which could result in more tips and better reviews.
4. Seize Opportunities During Downtime By Utilizing Other Food Or Delivery Apps
During these challenging times, making ends meet has become increasingly difficult - so why not seize the downtime for extra income?
With the rise of food and delivery applications, you can easily pick up jobs that fit your lifestyle and rhythm.
All it takes is a few clicks, a valid driver's license, and proof of insurance - what more could you ask for? So don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to make an extra income this summer during the turbulent slowdown!
Some of the best-known delivery apps are:
- DoorDash
- Grubhub
- GoPuff
- Grocery Delivery
- Deliveroo
- Instacart
- Delivery
- Caviar
- Shipt
- Munchery
- Goldbelly
- Drizly
- 7NOW
- Walmart - Shopping & Grocery
- Hungryroot
- Spark Driver
- Seamless and ChowNow
5. Stay In Areas With High Demand To Get More Orders
If you are an independent contractor for Uber Eats, it can be helpful to stick to higher-demand areas. This could mean you are more likely to get orders and make money faster.
You should also know the areas with a high demand for food delivery services, so you don't waste time driving around looking for orders.
Near schools and universities, business parks, tourist spots, and residential areas are great places to look for rankings.
If you stick to areas with high demand, there is more chance of orders. This is one of the best uber eats tricks you can use to make more money.
6. Determine Which Deliveries Are Worth Your Investment
To make sure you make the most money as an Uber Eats driver, it's essential to determine which deliveries are worth your time and effort.
If a customer orders from a restaurant that is too far away or in a traffic-prone area, it may not be worth the investment of your time.
It would be best if you also considered the cost of delivery fees, the distance you will have to travel, and the estimated delivery time.
When you factor in all these variables, it's easy to determine which deliveries are worth pursuing.
7. Unlock Exclusive Rewards By Using A Referral Code
Unlock exclusive rewards and save money with a referral code! If your friend signs up to be an Uber Eats driver with your referral code, you can get a bonus when they complete their first trip.
The rewards and bonuses vary depending on the city and region you live in, so make sure to check for the latest promotions!
You will use these rewards to save money on meals, fuel costs, and other expenses associated with your job as an Uber Eats driver.
8. Maximize The Benefits Of Curbside Delivery
Curbside delivery is incredibly convenient and cost-effective to access the products and services you need with minimal effort.
From groceries to restaurant takeout, being able to order goods online or over the phone and pick them up at the curb can save both time and money. This method of delivery is becoming increasingly popular due to its time-saving benefits.
When you are free and waiting for prolonged periods, you can maximize the benefits of curbside delivery by picking up orders from a restaurant or store and delivering them to customers.
As an Uber Eats driver, this could be another great way to increase your earning potential! This side hustle job is also one of the best uber eats tips to make more money.
9. Exercise Caution With High-Volume, Low-Paying Fast Food Orders
With the popularity of food delivery services skyrocketing in recent years, many people are turning to fast food for their meals.
Although these orders can be associated with cost savings, one should always exercise caution when accepting a high-volume and/or low-paying order from a fast-food restaurant.
Low wages and limited staff can equate to incomplete, incorrect, or delivered late orders.
Further, if you do not take the time to double-check your orders and confirm that all items match up with what was requested, you may end up getting stuck with an order that has gone wrong somewhere along the process.
10. Use A Fuel-Efficient Vehicle
When you become an Uber Eats driver, you must consider your vehicle's fuel efficiency to save money. A fuel-efficient car will help you maximize your profits and reduce your overall cost of ownership.
Investing in a vehicle that delivers excellent mileage is one of the best ways to save money on fuel costs and make your job more profitable.
Here are some of the best fuel-efficient motorbikes available:
- Honda mini MOTO-Series
- Honda Grom 2023
- Honda NC750X DCT
- Kawasaki Versys X 300
- Suzuki V Strom 650
- Honda CB300R
- Honorable Mentions
- Royal Enfield Meteor 350
- Suzuki GSX250R
- Triumph Street Twin
- Yamaha TW200
11. Monitor Your Mileage & Expenses
Monitoring your mileage and expenses is essential to ensure you get the most out of your job as an Uber Eats driver.
Keeping track of these costs will help you maximize profits and stay organized. To start, it's essential to determine how much you'll be spending on fuel costs.
Your vehicle's fuel efficiency will help you determine how much you'll spend from point A to point B.
It would be best to record all your expenses, such as parking fees, tolls, and delivery costs. This way, you can secure that your money is going toward the right places and that you're not overspending.
Additionally, you can use a mileage-tracking app to guarantee you're getting the most out of your trips and track any fuel costs associated with them.
By monitoring your mileage and expenses, you can stay organized and ensure you are maximizing your profits as an Uber Eats driver!
12. Avoid Lingering In Busy Areas
Traffic jams in busy areas can be a huge time waster and are not worth lingering around. Traffic congestion can be incredibly frustrating, and Uber Eats drivers spending too much time in these areas can lead to a loss of income.
Staying around busy areas will consume too much of your valuable time since you're on a timer. Instead, try to plan out your routes and take alternate roads if necessary.
This will help you avoid traffic jams and save precious minutes that can be put towards more orders and more money.
13. Avoid Delivering To Students
Delivering to students on campus can be particularly challenging due to their limited location options. Often, the student's dorms or apartments are located in busy areas with a lot of foot traffic and many other diners competing for attention.
Additionally, most students have tight budgets, which may not make it worthwhile for Uber Eats drivers to pursue these orders.
Therefore, if you live in an area with many college campuses, it is best to avoid delivering to students altogether.
14. Request To Rate And Feedback For Quality
It is essential to request your customers to rate the delivery. Customer feedback can be used in many ways and will help you improve and develop your service.
In the age of online reviews, it is crucial to have a positive digital presence. More ratings in your profile will show potential customers that you are a reliable delivery service and that you take customer feedback seriously.
Requesting your customers to rate and leave feedback after each order will also help you understand which areas you need to improve.
15. Keep Your Vehicle Clean And Presentable
No one wants to take food delivery from a dirty vehicle, so keeping your car clean and presentable is essential.
Keeping your vehicle clean will also help you make an excellent first impression on customers, which can go a long way.
16. Be Polite To Customers - They'll Be More Likely To Tip You Well
Being polite and cordial to customers will significantly increase your chances of getting a better tip. A simple 'thank you' or 'have a great day' can go a long way and show them that you are courteous and professional.
Sometimes, older customers may need help carrying their food. Offering to help them can be a nice gesture and make you look more professional. It may even result in a better tip for your effort!
17. Use Bike Instead of A Car To Save Money
If you're only making deliveries in your local area, using a bike instead of a car can be a great way to save money. You save on fuel costs and vehicle maintenance, and you'll also get some exercise!
Generally, car has a mileage of 20mpg to 35mpg, whereas the bike mileage is around 35-85 mpg.
You could easily guess that using a bike instead of a car will save you more fuel costs. Your expenses will be reduced by at least 40% compared to using a car.
18. Avoiding Long Wait Times Restaurants
It is essential to avoid restaurants with long wait times as it can significantly delay your delivery. Try to find restaurants that prepare orders quickly and efficiently so you can get the food delivered promptly.
Avoiding long wait times will also help you make more money since you'll be able to serve more customers in less time.
Some restaurants focus more on their quality than speed, which may take a little more time for their customers to get served. In such cases, it's a good idea to be proactive and inform your customers of the expected wait time before they get the order.
19. Always Pickup Customer Calls
Another essential factor to consider is being available for your customers. Answering customer calls promptly helps in creating a positive reputation.
It also builds trust and shows your customers that you are there to meet their needs. If you are stuck in traffic on your way to a delivery, inform customers promptly about the delay. This will help them understand the situation better and be more understanding. Being proactive in communicating with your customers shows that you care and value their time.
Sometimes customers have to order different things like cold drinks, sauces, or ketchup that are not included on the Menu. Ensure you are prepared and always carry these items with you so that customers don't have to wait for them.
Doing so will help to improve customer experience and overall satisfaction with your business.
20. Use Apps That Pay For Every Mile You Ride Your Bike
Some apps pay for every mile you ride if you are a bike delivery person. This is an easy way to make extra money while doing deliveries. There are many different apps available with different rewards and incentives.
Ridevert is a revolutionary app that allows you to make extra cash, rewards, or gifts for every mile you ride your bike.
All you have to do is install the app and start tracking your rides. According to Ridevert, using their app will make up to $280 per month. With this much earning potential, you can make a decent income by delivering food.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these are great Uber Eats driver tips and tricks to help you make more money while delivering food. Always be polite, courteous, and professional with customers, which may result in better service tips.
With the right attitude, knowledge, and motivation, you’ll be able to maximize your income as an Uber Eats driver.
Doing your research on other similar services can also be beneficial. No matter what strategy worked best for you, stay positive and strive towards your goals.
Good luck!
Michael Restiano
I support product content strategy for Salt Money. Additionally, I’m helping develop content strategy and processes to deliver quality work for our readers.