12 Easy Ways To Make Money With Your Car — There's So Much More Than Uber!
Looking for a new way to earn money, want to work from home or searching for an easy side hustle that can help buy holiday gifts or pad your retirement? If you have a car, you're in luck because you can earn $7 to $29 per hour while behind the wheel. Whether you drive yourself around, drive others around or rent your car out, you’re helping to make other people’s lives easier while offsetting the costs of owning a car — it’s a win-win. Here, we found the best ways to make money with your car.
The best driving apps to make money
Driving apps have come a long way since Uber was founded in 2009. With so many to choose from, the “best driving app” depends on your unique situation and goals.
If you’re looking for an extra income stream that’s super low maintenance, renting your car or wrapping it in advertisements may be the perfect fit. Or, if you’re looking for a more active gig, you can let your car pay for itself as a rideshare driver or delivery driver.
Regardless of where you live or what your professional background is, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to making money with driving apps. This is especially beneficial if your personal life or schedule makes it challenging for you to commit to a job with fixed hours.
“These platforms aren't just apps; they're transformational catalysts changing how we see transportation, commerce, and the rising tide of opportunities for women,” says Robert Walden, a small business owner, mechanic and the founder of VehicleFreak.com. “I've had countless conversations with enthusiastic women who've harnessed the potential of these apps. The word I hear most — empowerment! Women from diverse walks of life now have the liberty to operate within flexible schedules, ensuring a balance between professional pursuits and personal commitments.”
12 ways to make money with your car and driving apps
1.Driving app that will make you money: Uber
Considered the original rideshare platform, Uber is now available worldwide. Becoming an Uber driver is easy: As long as you’re over 21 years old, you just have to pass a background check, and have a vehicle that passes inspection. One great perk is the flexibility — you have total control over when you choose to accept rides and can create your own schedule.
Uber drivers can earn between $17 and $29 per hour, plus tips. The pay depends on where you live, the day of the week (weekends tend to have higher demand) and the time of day (you can make more money driving at peak hours). Want to maximize your earnings? Consider doubling up your services by signing up as an UberEats driver. It’s all on the same app that you use as a rideshare driver, and you can choose to pick up passengers or deliver food orders depending on demand.
2. Driving app that will make you money: Lyft
Lyft is another popular rideshare app that can serve as either a part-time or full-time gig, with drivers typically earning between $16 and $19 an hour. Similar to Uber, you have to be 21, pass a background check, and have a vehicle that passes inspection.
Again, tips from passengers can boost your earnings. Just the little things, like being friendly and keeping your car clean, are great ways to “tip” the scales in your favor!
Success story: "I make $200 a week giving other people rides!"
“When I heard about Lyft, a ride-sharing service that hires drivers to help people get around town, it sounded like a great opportunity to make extra cash on my own schedule," says Michelle Ramos. "So I downloaded the app and uploaded my photo, driver’s license, registration, insurance and consent for a background check. Then they inspected my car, and I was approved as a driver."
“When I’m available to work, I simply open the app and I’m ready to accept ride requests. When a job pops up, I get a photo and a description of my passenger, then I have 15 minutes to confirm. The app guides me to the pickup point, then directs me to their destination. The passenger pays through the app, so I never have to handle cash. I do about 10 rides a week, and I make between $100 and $200—money that pays the bills or goes for fun things like trips with my family."
“I usually work in the morning and afternoon, driving people to work, the elderly or parents with kids. My most memorable passenger was a 98-year-old woman who needed a ride to meet her husband at their 50th anniversary party! Best of all, I always feel safe when I drive, but I can cancel a ride if I feel un-comfortable. It’s a great way to make money, I get to meet people from all walks of life and it’s flexible, so I can spend time with my kids!” — as told to Julie Revelant
3. Way to make money with your car: Carvertise
Did you know that you can make passive income as a driving billboard? Carvertise is exactly what it sounds like — a company that pays drivers to display car decal advertisements.
All you have to do is fill out a quick online application, answering questions about your car and where you normally drive. Then, Carvertise will “match” you to a brand that likes your driving habits, and wrap your car with the advertisement (the wrap is totally safe for your car, FYI!). Drivers can choose which brands to accept, so you don’t have to worry about an unsightly ad on your car.
Pay varies depending on the size of the campaign, but most campaigns start with a base of $100 per month. Drivers are also offered additional opportunities to boost their earnings (this could mean driving to busy areas with lots of eyeballs, such as a local mall), with the potential of earning up to $500 a month with Carvertise throughout a campaign.
Success story: "I earn $100 a month driving with ad wraps on my car!"
“Four years ago, I saw a bumper sticker for Carvertise, a company that places ad decals on cars. I checked out their website and filled out an application, which asked about my car and driving habits," says Peggy Sneeringer, 60. "The requirements involve having a clean driving record, driving 30 miles a day and owning a vehicle that was made after 2007. Next, I had a phone call with the company’s founder, accepted the opportunity to join the team and scheduled a time to get my car wrapped. The wrap is safe for your car, and the process takes about one to two hours. I enjoy getting to learn more about the brand I’m driving for. Drivers have a choice when it comes to the brand, so I don’t have to worry about getting an unsightly ad."
“Once the wrap is on, I install an app on my phone, which tracks where I drive. Then I simply drive around in geographic areas where a brand wants to be noticed. I love meeting new people, and the advertisements are always a wonderful icebreaker. Plus, I earn $100 a month. There are also occasional bonus opportunities for extra money. Once, I was paid $50 just to drive for two hours around my local mall during the holiday season."
“Having your car wrapped is a great opportunity to make extra cash, meet new friends and have a great time doing it!”
4. Way to make money with your car: Wrapify
Wrapify is another app that makes it easy to earn passive income using your car as a portable ad. To sign up, just download the Wrapify app and create a profile. You’ll receive offers when campaigns become available in your area (campaign zones are typically within 50 miles of the advertiser’s target town or city).
You can boost your earnings by choosing to wrap your entire car, or you can opt for a partial ad. Depending on the campaign and amount of miles you drive within the campaign zone, Wrapify drivers can earn between $196 to $452 per month.
Success story: "I make up to $400 a month ‘wrapping’ my car with ads!"
"After spending a decade as an executive paralegal and investigator, I was ready to make a change, so I became a rideshare driver with Uber and Lyft," says Melanie Still, 44.
"Then about two years ago, I read an article about ways drivers could earn extra money with Wrapify, an advertising company that places ads on cars as part of their campaigns. I was intrigued, so I looked it up!"
“All I had to do to qualify was download their app on my phone, then drive 50 miles in one day. Once chosen for a campaign, you agree to have your car wrapped with ads, which, depending on the campaign, can pay $250 a month for a partial wrap (just the side doors). And the pay increases for a full wrap (covers most of the car) or for driving more miles.
“Since starting, I’ve earned about $400 a month for the campaigns I’ve done — all of which ran longer than planned and ended up paying even more! Having my car wrapped, I earn enough each day to fill up my tank for the next day, drastically cutting my expenses as a rideshare driver! I also love the extra attention the wraps on my car bring me. I get stopped at stop signs, red lights and gas stations, even at the terminal at the airport by people directing traffic. Everyone wants to know about the wraps and how they can get them! As long as I’m driving, I’ll continue to wrap my car. My goal is to land a yearlong campaign.” — as told to Alexandra Kay
5. Way to make money with your car: Instacart
If you enjoy grocery shopping and have a car, then you’re ready to make money as an Instacart shopper! Instacart is an online grocery delivery platform that hires both part-time and full-time shoppers. It’s a simple way for anyone looking for flexible, seasonal, or regular work to make money — shoppers keep 100% of their tips and can cash out their earnings in as little as two hours.
The amount of money you can make depends on factors like order size, trip distance and time of day, with the average Instacart shopper earning $16 per hour. If you accept jobs during times of high demand (like weekends), your earning potential is even higher.
Success story: "I earn $700 a week delivering groceries with Instacart!"
"After having my second daughter — I’m the mother of three girls — I knew I needed to go back to work," says Janine LaCerra, 45. "But I wanted something that paid well and allowed me to work around my family’s schedule. Then, while on Craigslist about two years ago, I saw an ad looking for shoppers for Instacart, a home-delivery service where people use a smartphone app or website to place grocery orders with various retailers from Costco and Target to Aldi and Big Lots! The ad said I could make my own hours, which intrigued me!"
“I filled out basic information online, like my name, address and phone number. It took about a week for them to do a criminal and driving record background check, and then I was hired! After I did my first shop at Super Fresh, I knew the job was perfect for me."
“When orders are placed, I get alerts on my phone, and I can choose the ones I want to complete. Some days, I feel extra energetic and will do a Costco order, which is harder due to the items’ sizes, and sometimes I keep it to the local ShopRite."
“I do around two to four shops a day during the week and five to eight on the weekends. I make $35–$50 an hour (a combination of the hourly rate and generous customer tips) and bring in about $700 a week—money that pays the mortgage, for things for myself and my kids or even a nice -dinner out with my husband.” — as told to Alexandra Kay
6. Way to make money with your car: Shipt
Shipt is another app that allows you to earn a profit shopping for other people and delivering their orders. Shipt shoppers can set their own hours and are offered orders on the app, each one spelling out the estimated pay and time it will take. Shoppers purchase each order using a prepaid card provided by Shipt, which is funded with the amount of the order before the delivery window begins.
Like Instacart, multiple factors determine your rate, with the average Shipt shopper earning up to $14 an hour.
Success story: "I make $22 an hour grocery shopping!"
“I own a daycare center, but as my own kids were in high school, I had all this time on my hands and was looking for a way to earn more money," says Julie Sweder, 53. "Then I saw an ad on Facebook for Shipt, a membership-based marketplace that hires people to shop for groceries and other items for those who are time-strapped. I could set my own hours and work as much or as little as I wanted!"
“Getting started was easy. I registered on the app and answered basic questions about how to pick produce, communicate with customers and problem--solve. I also recorded a short video so they could see my personality. After a background check and verification of my car insurance, I was approved! They sent me a Shipt shirt and a debit card to shop with, and I got to work!"
“The system is pretty simple: Members post their orders and choose a time for delivery, then I get an alert and accept the order. Orders can include everything from food and alcohol to toys, apparel, flowers and balloons."
“I work between 15 and 20 hours a week, mostly in the evenings and on weekends, and I love that I get to help people—some of my clients have become regulars! I make up to $22 an hour, and though I always tell customers that tips are not required, many still tip through the app or in person, which adds to my earnings. The money I’ve made helps pay for my kids’ college expenses and trips with friends!” — as told to Julie Revelant
7. Way to make money with your car: Turo
Got a car that’s collecting dust in the garage? Signing up with Turo is a low-maintenance way to reach 14 million prescreened customers to rent your vehicle. While that number may be a worldwide customer base, the earning potential that Turo offers as the leading car sharing marketplace is pretty impressive — the average annual income of one car is $10,516.
To start making a profit, all you have to do is create a profile on the Turo app and list your car and availability. You also get to set your own prices. Once your listing is live, you have the choice to accept or deny requests from people who are interested in renting your car.
Success story: "I bring in $750 a month loaning out my wheels!"
“I’m one of two owners of an exhibit design and production company in Las Vegas, and I travel a bit for work," says Rhiannon Andersen, 47. "I had experience with things like Airbnb and Uber in the sharing movement and thought those sorts of services were cool. I like to have access to a home-style stay, and I thought it would be fun to have a car service along the same lines."
“This prompted me to see if there was a local service where I could rent out my own car — I’m away a lot and I have access to a company car if I need it. That’s when I found Turo.com and decided to offer my Jeep for rental and see how it did. The process is pretty easy: You list your car, create a profile and post pictures. Then people contact you with requests, which you can choose to accept or reject."
“I meet all the renters at my office. They Uber or taxi from the airport, which is about 10 minutes away. I just meet the guest, check their credentials and walk around the car, and Turo provides both liability insurance and roadside assistance. My car has been popular, renting about five times a month for varying lengths of time. In the first two months it was listed, I earned $1,500. I use some of the money for expenses associated with owning my car, and I bank the rest.” — as told to Alexandra Kay
8. Way to make money with your car: Getaround
Getaround is similar to Turo in that you can rent your car to neighbors or tourists who need to “get around.” Once you create a profile, which includes naming your car and uploading photos, the next step is for the Getaround hardware to be installed in your car. This allows guests to unlock your car with their phone — and means you don’t have to meet them in person. Then, you can start accepting bookings and earning extra cash!
Success story: "I make $6,500 a month just by sharing my cars!"
"As a full-time security guard, I had been looking for a way to earn passive income to supplement my retirement," says Catonya Sconiers, 54. "So when I first heard about Getaround, a peer-to-peer marketplace for renting cars that’s 100% digital, I was immediately intrigued. Since I have five cars and people always compliment me on how well I maintain them, I thought car-sharing would be a great fit!"
“I started by visiting the site and was thrilled to see that each of my cars met the eligibility criteria. It also gave me peace of mind to see that there’s a happiness team who can assist with any issues. "
“I created a Getaround profile and listed each of my cars — an initial cost of $100, then $20 per month thereafter. I installed Getaround Connect, the digital hardware that gives me data about the location and usage of each of my cars. This technology also allows guests to access the cars without keys—all they need is a smartphone and the Getaround app!"
“To my delight, the requests quickly began pouring in. Since I don’t have to meet guests in person, the only time I have to spend on this side gig is tidying up in between rentals with a portable vacuum cleaner and microfiber towel. Keeping my cars pristine also helps me earn five-star reviews!"
“I bring in about $1,300 per month on each car for a total of $6,500 a month — money that boosts my retirement fund. I love that sharing my car helps others become more self-reliant. Plus, it’s great to know that I might be out of town and on vacation, but my cars are still getting booked and helping me make money!”
9. Way to make money with your car: DoorDash
DoorDash is an easy-to-use app where drivers (“Dashers”) make money from picking up orders from restaurants and delivering them to customer’s homes. It’s a great option if you like driving but also want frequent breaks to stretch your legs. Signing up takes just a few minutes, and if you don’t have a car, you can even make deliveries on your bike or motorcycle.
As a Dasher, you’re guaranteed a base pay for all deliveries and keep 100% of your tips. People are often inclined to tip generously during sporting events and rainy days! You can also take advantage of various promotions to earn more money when it’s busy (for example, completing a certain number of deliveries in a set amount of time).
Success story: "I make up to $500 a week making food deliveries!"
"My family’s finances shifted when my husband went back to school," says Vanessa K. Herron, 40s. And though I’d been working as a screenwriter for years, I needed a way to -supplement my income, especially as our four children started to go off to college."
“Then one day, I was chatting with my daughter, and she said, ‘I’ve got to go. I have to do a Dash.’ She explained that she was making money delivering restaurant food to people through the mobile service DoorDash. All you need is access to a vehicle, a driver’s license and a phone to install the app. ‘I could do that too!’ I thought. So I went online, completed the registration and orientation and downloaded the app."
“For my first job, I drove to a local restaurant, picked up the order and delivered the meal to the customer’s house using my phone’s GPS. The app paid me a delivery fee, and I kept 100% of the tip I was given at the door."
“In no time, I was making $250 to $500 a week delivering lunches to offices, dinners to busy families and coffee to tired students. Best of all, I can ‘cash out’ through the app daily, so I never have to wait for a payday."
“The money I make has helped me pay for my kids’ college and fund my creative projects as a filmmaker. Plus, I can work from anywhere. When I visit my kids in their college towns, I do a couple of deliveries to earn money to take them to dinner!” — as told to Lisa Maxbauer
10. Way to make money with your car: Grubhub
Similar to DoorDash, Grubhub is a food delivery app where you can make money on your own time and terms. Getting started is quick and easy, with applications available both online or the Grubhub app.
The amount of money you earn depends on factors like mileage, delivery type, time spent delivering, and more (plus tips). According to Glassdoor, you can expect to earn between $16 and $23 an hour as a Grubhub driver.
11. Way to make money with your car: Citizenshipper
Love the freedom of the open road? As a driver for the driving app Citizenshipper, you can explore new places while getting paid to pick up shipments all over the country!
These “shipments” can include everything from cars to couches, with pet transports being the most popular. Once you sign up and pass the background check, you can set your preferred type of shipment and then get notified in the app when opportunities become available. According to the Citizenshipper website, the average monthly revenue earned by their drivers is $6,000 to $10,000.
Success story: "I bring in up to $3,000 a month transporting pets!"
“I had been out of work due to health problems, and as I was getting ready to go back, my father was ready to retire as a truck driver," says Lisa Juszkiewicz, 51. "I was doing research to help him find ways he could make extra money, and I discovered CitizenShipper, a company that hires people to deliver items and transport pets. It looked like a great opportunity, so I applied too."
“I filled out an online profile, and they ran a background check. Since I have a cargo van, I paid for cargo insurance, but you can use any vehicle. I also took a course and became a certified animal rescue transporter through the Animal Rescue Professionals Association and started a website so clients can book me directly as well.
“When someone books my services, I contact them to work out the details. I get paid per mile. The pay varies, but I’ve made up to $3,000 a month after gas, tolls and oil changes. I’ve delivered all kinds of things, from pinball machines to animals (including dogs, cats, turtles, guinea pigs and goats) and horse trailers. I always ask the client to supply their vet paperwork, food, a crate and toys, and I spend a few minutes with the pet so they feel comfortable."
“I love that I make my own schedule, and on some trips, I get to visit family and friends. I’ve traveled over 66,000 miles to places like Florida and Arizona! The money I make pays the bills, for concerts, trips and gifts for my six grandchildren!” — as told to Julie Revelant
12. Way to make money with your car: Kango
As a Kango driver, you can make up to $48 per hour helping families in the community with rides. After completing the online application, you just have to pass a safety check and take an online training to get started. One of the benefits of being a Kango driver is that most rides are scheduled ahead of time, so that you can plan your day accordingly. At the moment, Kango is offered in California, Arizona, and New Mexico, but there are plans to expand to more locations in the near future.
Success story: "I bring in $600 a weekdriving kids around town!"
“I’m a teacher, but when I took a sabbatical, I was in search of a way to supplement my income. I thought about doing a ride-share service but was concerned about my safety," says Rowena Tong, 54. "So whenI heard about Kango, a ride and carpool service for kids, I knew it would be an easy—and safe—way to make money."
“Once I applied, I had an in-person interview, then Kango ran background, fingerprint, criminal background and reference checks. I gave them a copy of my car insurance and proof that my car was under 10 years old and that I had experience working with kids within the last two years. They gave me booster seats and taught me how to use the app."
“When I do a job, parents can track me, but I always let them know when I’m on my way, when I’ve arrived and when I’ve dropped off their children. I drive kids to school, after-school programs and home. When I pick up them up from school I have to show my ID, and when I pick up them up from other programs or if their parents aren’t there, they have to give me their code word. Older kids who have their own phones check the app so they know my car and license plate and can confirm the pickup. The older kids are usually quiet, but the younger ones like to talk to me about what they did in school."
“I love this work because it’s flexible, I get to help out parents and it’s a safe, fun way to make extra money. I earn $600 a week (I work 5 hours a day, 5 days a week)—money that pays the bills and will be used for vacation when I return to teaching!” — as told to Julie Revelant
Looking for even more ways to make money? Then click through the links below!
6 Ways to Make Money with Amazon Work-From-Home Jobs
Make $1,000s a Month With These Work-From-Home Jobs — No Phone Needed
5 Genius Ways You Can Work for Walmart — From Home!
7 Ways to Make $1000s a Month From Home — No Experience Needed!
If You Can Type, You Can Earn a Full-Time Salary Doing Work-From-Home Data Entry — Here’s How
10 Side Hustles For Women Over 50 — Rack Up Extra Cash Doing Something You Like
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