Does DoorDash Pay For Gas? | What Expenses Will DoorDash Cover?
If you’re just starting out as a DoorDash Dasher, one of the first questions you might have is whether or not DoorDash pays for gas or reimburses fuel expenses.
The short answer is no - DoorDash does not pay for gas. However, they do have a partnership with Shell, allowing Dashers to save 10 cents per gallon on their first three fill-ups, and an extra 6 cents per gallon off each fill after that.
Related: What is DoorDash? | How Does DoorDash Work?
As an independent contractor, you’re responsible for all vehicle-related costs, including the gas that gets you and your car from restaurant to customer.
While DoorDash doesn’t directly cover gas costs, they do offer some programs and benefits that can help offset expenses. Let’s break it all down.
DoorDash Paying for Gas and Expenses Explained
What Dashers Must Pay For
As a Dasher, gas is going to represent your largest ongoing expense, and what you pay can vary dramatically based on your car’s fuel efficiency and local gas prices. With the national price of gas sitting at $3.163 per gallon as of this writing, drivers can easily spend $20-$60+ per week on fuel alone.
Vehicle maintenance becomes more frequent when you’re putting hundreds of miles per week on your car. Oil changes, tire rotations, brake work, and general wear and tear all accelerate with delivery driving.
In addition, auto insurance is mandatory, and you may need additional coverage as a Dasher. While DoorDash provides some insurance during active deliveries, your personal policy remains your primary protection, and some insurers require rideshare insurance for delivery work.
Your smartphone and data plan also become business expenses as a Dasher. Other expenses may include things like parking fees, car registration and licensing fees, and any equipment you purchase like phone mounts, insulated bags, etc.
Related: DoorDash Driver Requirements Explained (2025)
What DoorDash Provides
DoorDash does offer liability insurance when you’re actively on a delivery, including up to $1 million in coverage during the delivery process. This coverage supplements your personal insurance but doesn’t replace the need for your own policy.
They’ve also partnered with several programs to help drivers save on gas costs.
DoorDash Driver Discounts and Perks Explained
Replacing DasherDirect as of mid-2025, DoorDash Crimson is one of DoorDash’s newest opportunities Dashers can take advantage of. Essentially, DoorDash Crimson is a checking account and debit card that allows you to immediately withdraw your DoorDash earnings, and it gives you access to other money-saving perks as well.
DoorDash Crimson also offers cash back when you pay with it at the pump (or charging station), on top of the Shell partnership we discussed earlier. So again, while DoorDash doesn’t directly pay or reimburse for gas, they do offer Dashers some methods to make filling up a bit less expensive.
Additional benefits provided to all Dashers include 20% off tires at Goodyear, 20% off TurboTax, and more. Having a Crimson card also gives savings on things like oil changes and screen protectors.
You can also explore DoorDash’s Dasher Rewards program which offers further incentives and perks for high performing Dashers.
Managing Your Dasher Expenses
The key to being profitable as a Dasher is two-fold: maximize your per-delivery earnings and minimize (and properly track) your expenses. To find success in the gig economy, you should be treating your work as a business, not a side hustle.
Related: Is DoorDash Worth it in 2025? | How Much Does DoorDash Pay?
Keep track of any business expenses you incur as they can be deducted on your taxes. Your biggest deduction, however, will be on your mileage.
Every mile you drive is tax-deductible at 70 cents per mile in 2025. So if you drive 1000 miles, you can deduct $700 on your taxes!
To track your mileage for this deduction, you need to track the business miles you drive as well as capture the date and purpose of your trip. To do this automatically, you can use a free mileage tracker app like TripLog!
Beyond mileage, you can deduct other business expenses like insulated delivery bags, car maintenance, parking fees, the business usage of your mobile phone plan, and more.
Does DoorDash Pay For Gas? - FAQ
Q: Does DoorDash pay Dashers for gas?
A: No. DoorDash does not offer any sort of reimbursement or gas allowance for Dashers.
Q: Does DoorDash provide anything to help with gas costs?
A: While DoorDash doesn’t reimburse gas directly, they offer programs like Shell Fuel Rewards and others to help make fuel and other car-related expenses cheaper.
Q: What other expenses should I expect to see as a Dasher?
A: Beyond gas, expect increased vehicle maintenance, insurance costs, and things like parking fees and tolls.
Q: How much do most Dashers spend on gas?
A: Gas costs can vary wildly depending on your location, your car, and how much you Dash, but you’ll probably find yourself spending $20-$60+ per week on gas alone.
Related: Does DoorDash Track Mileage?
Conclusion: Does DoorDash Pay For Gas/Expenses?
DoorDash doesn’t pay for gas or any other expenses Dashers incur while on the job. However, they do offer some related benefits, like partnering with Shell to make gas cheaper for you.
Proper expense management and mileage tracking can allow many Dashers to make meaningful money while delivering for DoorDash. If you’re serious about maximizing your earnings, download TripLog on iOS or Android today and start tracking your mileage for free today!