FAQ for Delivering Part-Time

Delivery driving has never been bigger. If you’re looking to make some money with a side hustle, get started today.

Delivery driving is growing as a business, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. Just last year, US online retail spending increased a whopping 44%, driving huge growth for logistics, supply chain, and delivery. Whether you plan to deliver once a week or every day, it is the best time to join the delivery market. There are opportunities for all kinds of people, as every kind of good is now being delivered.

If you’re considering starting your part-time delivery journey, recently began, or a long-time veteran, this guide will be useful to you. There are many questions drivers have, and this article serves to answer the most important and common ones.

Is This A Good Job?

All things considered, delivery is one of the best “gigs” in the economy today. For those unfamiliar, a “gig” is a part-time contract job that individuals can take on whenever they want. With regards to delivery, the pay is good, the hours are flexible, and it serves an ever-growing market. With delivery, there is job security and growth potential, in case you ever want to go full-time and turn the gig into a career.

What’s The Commitment?

Luckily, delivery driving requires little-to-no training at all. As far as getting started, all you need is a smartphone with a strong data plan and a driver’s license. With new leasing services, you don’t even need to own a car. The best part? Drivers get to set their own hours, which means that you can choose whether you work an hour or a whole day. Little commitment, high flexibility, and low barrier to entry allow drivers to focus on delivering packages and getting paid.

How Do I Know If Delivery Is Right For Me?

Part-time delivery can be a good gig for most people. As long as you’re comfortable driving, you shouldn’t have too much to worry about. However, if you’re unsure if a delivery driving job is worth it, it may be ideal for the following groups of people:

• Students. If you are a university student looking to do a little bit of work in addition to your course-load, delivery driving may be perfect. It can help pay for tuition, daily expenses, or rent. Having an income can be a tremendous help to students, especially as the pandemic has led to instances of stopped work-study funds. While your campus is closed, it is a great idea to earn a little extra cash with deliveries.
• Pay Cuts. If you’re working for a business that had to cut shifts and pay to stay alive through the coronavirus pandemic, delivery driving can make a huge difference. The flexibility allows you to make both jobs work, and the money can allow you to continue meeting and saving for your financial goals.
• Furloughed Employees. For many, the past year has left them furloughed and uncertain of what to do next. While looking for your next career move, delivery driving is a useful part-time job, providing the means to keep paying bills, save for the future, and ensure your financial boat stays afloat.

Which Company Should I Work For?

Today, there are so many options for delivery drivers. If you’re interested in food delivery, there’s UberEats, DoorDash, GrubHub, and so many others. Even local pizza restaurants are hiring delivery drivers nationwide. If you’re interested in casting a wider delivery net, Amazon Flex is the most popular pick for individual delivery contractors.

Whatever you are interested in doing, we would recommend starting with a keyword search. If you’re interested in a specific type of delivery, start there. Specificity is good, as it will allow you to find results more closely matching your ideal part-time delivery gig. The delivery market is always growing, so if your dream gig doesn’t appear at first, it will soon enough.

Do Earnings Change From State to State?

While delivery earnings don’t vary from state-to-state, there are locales better poised for delivery driving. According to an analysis calculated with data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 10 states that are ideal for delivery driving, based on cost-of-living. They are: Wyoming, North Dakota, Illinois, Kansas, Texas, Tennessee, Michigan, Georgia, and Minnesota.

Bear in mind that delivery driving is still a lucrative gig outside of these 10 states. As a part-time job, delivery driving is a great way for people everywhere to make an extra buck.

What Do I Need To Be Successful?

To be a successful delivery driver, there are a few things that can make a big difference. First, having the right gear on the job can keep you safe and moving. Gear includes phone charging, car mounts, N95 masks, even winter jackets. Staying organized and being prepared in the delivery vehicle can amount to a safer, smoother experience on the job.

Car insurance is also incredibly important to keep, especially since the job requires so many miles on the road. Having roadside assistance as part of your coverage can be critical in those rare nightmare scenarios. A common provider that millions use and trust are AAA.

Last but definitely not least, intelligent route planning takes delivery driving to the next level. Having a mobile app that is reliable, easy to use, and fast will allow you to save minutes and hours every day. We recommend Straightaway because it is built specifically for delivery drivers, uses Machine Learning to keep you away from traffic and road closures, and is trusted by delivery drivers everywhere.

How Can I Maximize My Income?

The best ways to maximize your income are by saving time and minimizing costs. Intelligent route planning allows you to deliver more packages on fewer miles. Knowing your delivery zone can help you over time, as you’ll recognize roads and become more comfortable driving around.

One of the best tips we can offer is to think about deliveries before you take them on. If a delivery is very far and isolated, it will usually end up costing you more than you’ll earn. Try to save gasoline when possible and stick to dense areas, because it’ll allow you to deliver more and earn more.

Wrapping It Up

The delivery game is bigger than it has ever been. Opportunities are everywhere, and they can allow any individual to make money quickly. Don’t wait for time to pass you by on this one, get started soon and make the most of your extra time. Both you and your wallet won’t regret it.