DoorDash is stepping in to help drivers in the U.S. and Canada, as the ongoing war between Iran and the U.S. is contributing to a significant spike in gas prices.
The company on Monday announced the rollout of a temporary program aimed at easing the financial burden on dashers who rely on private vehicles to make deliveries.
DoorDash’s relief program will run through April 26, and eligible drivers will receive weekly payments. Dash participants who drive at least 125 miles per week can receive payments starting at $5, which is an estimated savings of $1 to $1.50 per gallon. This support can be especially meaningful for suburban and rural drivers who travel long distances.
Additionally, drivers who use DoorDash’s Crimson debit card will benefit from an additional 10% cash back on gas purchases, allowing them to save up to $1.90 per gallon.
Gasoline costs are one of the biggest expenses for delivery drivers. Unlike traditional employees, gig workers are responsible for their own costs such as fuel, vehicle maintenance, and insurance. A May 2025 Human Rights Watch study found that gig workers in Texas spend an average of $100 a week on fuel, or $2.76 per hour worked. At the time of the study, gas prices in Texas were about $3 per gallon.
Now the situation is even more dire. According to AAA, the national average for regular gasoline is currently just under $3.96 per gallon. The price is up more than $1 compared to a month ago. In some areas, prices can reach around $4 per gallon.
Rising gas prices can significantly increase a driver’s weekly fuel costs if wages are not increased by the platforms they work for. At the same time, drivers can’t always rely on more orders to offset expenses, as delivery demand can fluctuate due to the overall rising cost of living. As a result, drivers earn less profit per delivery while working the same or longer hours. This has turned gig work, a flexible source of income, into an economically unsustainable job for many, forcing some drivers to reduce their working hours or exit the industry altogether.
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The gas rewards program is reminiscent of a similar program DoorDash implemented in 2022, when gas prices soared following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That same year, Uber introduced fuel surcharges to support its drivers, and Grubhub increased driver pay in response to record gas prices.
It remains unclear whether other delivery services will follow DoorDash’s lead this time.
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