Package delivery driving

Amazon Flex advertises $18–25 an hour for most drivers, a provider claim. Gridwise's app-tracked data puts the Flex median at $83.14 per 3 to 5 hour block and $20.89 an hour, and $21.74 an hour on Spark Driver, all before gas, insurance and other vehicle costs. Roadie's median is $12.70 an hour.

Spark Driver places enrollees on a waitlist before final verification and says it cannot predict approval timing. Amazon Flex keeps an interest list when no spots are open.

How delivery drivers get paid

Amazon says Flex shows potential earnings for each offered block. Spark Driver says trip earnings depend on distance, order size and extras, and drivers keep 100% of confirmed tips. Veho pays per completed route, not per hour, and its earnings schedule processes payouts twice a week, so hourly pay shifts with market, route and rollover packages.

Roadie's app listing advertises up to $25 to $50 per multi-stop gig. Gridwise's median across 6,725 tracked drivers is $9.60 per delivery, tips included. Among Gridwise's self-selected app users, the median Flex tip is zero, which Gridwise attributes to most blocks being logistics routes without tipping.

What delivery drivers actually earn

The BLS figure covers employees only and excludes self-employed workers. Gridwise's numbers come from self-selected users of its tracking app.

Where the hours go

Amazon Flex blocks run 3 to 6 hours for Amazon.com orders. Amazon expects drivers to return undelivered packages by 10am the next day. Replace the calculator's unpaid time and miles with your own route's numbers, using How to calculate your actual hourly earnings.

What it costs to start delivering

Flex needs a 4-door sedan or larger and Veho requires at least 33 cubic feet of cargo space. Fuel, insurance and maintenance keep running as long as you drive.

Where to find delivery work

Veho delivers only in contracted zip codes, so check your area before applying. Roadie's driver app is listed on Google Play. Spark drivers are independent contractors and may drive for other apps.

Requirements and rules for delivery drivers in the U.S.

Flex requires a valid U.S. license and Social Security number, drivers 21 or older, and a background check that includes motor vehicle records. Spark's minimum age is 18, and it asks for proof of auto insurance, a valid license and a clean driving record. Veho's minimum age is 25. New York City licenses the delivery apps, not individual drivers. Other cities and states may add rules, so check your own city and state websites.

Amazon provides free commercial auto insurance in every state except New York. The policy applies only while you are actively delivering during a block, and claims are denied if someone else is driving. Ask your own insurer how delivery driving affects your personal policy.

The IRS lists delivery driving as gig work, and you must report gig income even without a 1099. Platforms may send a 1099-K, 1099-MISC or 1099-NEC, with copies due by January 31. See the IRS pages on self-employment tax and standard mileage rates.

Risks and red flags in delivery driving

Flex may deactivate an account for any material violation of its terms or program policies, and it sets service standards in four areas: safety, reliability, delivery quality and customer service. Spark says deactivations are typically permanent and appeals are reviewed in 5 to 7 days. It also says third-party apps that automate or bypass the platform can affect account status.

Earnings claims have drawn enforcement. The FTC and 11 states settled with Walmart for $100 million over allegations it deceived Spark drivers about base pay, incentive pay and tips. The FTC also alleged Amazon kept nearly $62 million of Flex driver tips from 2016 to 2019. Compare each payout with what the offer showed.

Who delivery driving fits, and who should skip it

Good fit

• You own a car that meets a platform's vehicle rules.
• You can commit to a block or route of several hours at a time, not a single quick job.
• You want to see pay on each offer before accepting, as Flex and Spark offers show.
• You can wait through a waitlist or interest list before your first delivery.

Consider something else

• You have no car: paid online surveys need no vehicle.
• You want to set your own prices: house cleaning lets you quote jobs.
• You would rather not drive between every job: pet sitting and dog walking stay closer to home.
• You want work tied to the season near home: snow removal follows snowfall.

How to start delivering packages

1. Check age, vehicle and license rules on the Amazon Flex requirements page, Spark Driver's enrollment help and Veho's registration page.
2. Apply where your car qualifies. Spark's zone can't be changed until you are approved and have completed three deliveries, so pick it carefully.
3. Join the waitlist or interest list if spots are full, and watch for the message when openings occur.
4. Set up payout. Flex requires direct deposit to a checking or savings account, and Spark says not linking your earnings account can lead to deactivation.
5. Call your insurer and read what the platform's policy covers, using Flex's FAQ as a starting point.
6. Log mileage and income from your first block, following the IRS gig work tax guidance.
7. After a few blocks, work out your real hourly pay with the hourly earnings guide and decide whether to continue.