Doordash is a quick way to jumpstart a career as an independent delivery contractor that allows you to enjoy job flexibility according to your timing.
However, this means that you would also have to be wise with choosing the best times to DoorDash, lest you end up with a relatively empty shift.
So what are the best times to Doordash, and how do you maximize your schedule to earn as much as possible?
What Are The Best Times To DoorDash?
Generally, the best times to DoorDash are during lunch (11 am – 2 pm) and dinner (4:30 pm – 8 pm). While the time range differs from region to region, these periods are the standard best times to DoorDash.
These hours are also verified by DoorDash themselves as the best times to DoorDash. Moreover, these claims are supported by DoorDash’s own research and historical order data.
Dashers themselves have also come to the same conclusion as DoorDash, albeit there is a slight difference in timing. According to the Dasher community, the best times to DoorDash are:
- Lunch (1 am – 2 pm) and dinner (5 pm – 9 pm)
- Late nights on weekends (up to 2 am)
Based on their past experiences, Dashers also heavily advise greenhorns to start half an hour before the peak hours. This allows you to obtain as many orders as possible, not to mention the slack time to accommodate for traffic jams.
That said, both DoorDash and the Dashers have noted that the peak hours work differently for each region.
Why Is It Important To Find The Best Times To DoorDash?
Identifying the optimum time to DoorDash will directly influence how productive your Dashing sessions are. Naturally, more productive sessions produce higher profits.
There are several benefits to identifying the best times to DoorDash aside from monetary reasons.
Peak Hours Create a Consistent Order Stream
Peak hours have a consistently high volume of orders. As Dashers are not paid by the hour, the volume of orders and how efficient you DoorDash is more important than ever.
Being idle for a long time can result in plenty of petrol and wasted time. So, peak hours allow you to accept many orders consecutively and ensure that you’re making the most of every hour.
Peak Hours Maximize Your Revenue Stream
In April 2021, DoorDash introduced a peak pay system in which Dashers are awarded a bonus if they take orders at a certain time. Dashers receive this bonus on top of their base pay, which can add up to a sizeable amount.
Peak Hours Allow You to Plan Ahead
Knowing the best times to DoorDash means you can plan your working times. For instance, you can avoid the crowds that come with peak hours and DoorDash during less busy times. Again, time and efficiency is the name of the game.
What Are The Best Days To DoorDash?
The best days to Doordash are on the weekends. People always use DoorDash to afford themselves a break from cooking, not to mention partygoers who are hungry and drunk after a night out.
What Is The Best Time To DoorDash On Weekends?
Almost every Dasher says that late nights are the best times Doordash on weekends. Many Dashers would already be asleep, and there are plenty of late-night orders, especially around bars and pubs.
What Time Is DoorDash Busy In The Morning?
Doordash is generally not busy in the morning as there are not a lot of breakfast takers nowadays. People rush to work in the mornings and find it more convenient to grab a quick bite rather than wait for food deliveries.
Again, this also depends on your area. Some Dashers find that they receive more orders from the suburbs on weekday mornings (before 10.30 am), while others discovered that Monday mornings are prime time for bulk orders because of business meetings.
What Time Does Peak Pay Start?
DoorDash pays extra money for Dashers to accept orders during peak hours. Peak pay only comes into effect when it’s busy, usually between 11 am to 2 pm and 4.30 pm to 8 pm.
Again, these times differ according to locations, so treat them as estimates rather than strict rules to follow.
If you need a reliable way to know when peak pay begins, you can refer to the real-time DoorDash heatmap. After you’ve DoorDashed for a while, you’ll be familiar with the peak pay hours of your specific location.
Conclusion
The best times to DoorDash are usually during lunch (11 am to 2 pm) and dinner (5 pm to 8 pm). Knowing the best times to DoorDash is an excellent way to plan your delivery hours strategically maximize your earnings.
However, the best times to DoorDash often vary according to region. So, we highly recommend you test the waters of your specific location and see what works best for you.
Still got questions about the best times to DoorDash? Let us know in the comments below!