Not everyone wants to make small talk with passengers all day. If you'd rather just grab food and drop it off without the conversation, Uber Eats might be your ideal gig.
Why Uber Eats?
I talked about Uber driving a couple days ago, but Uber Eats is a completely different vibe. Here's the deal: you're delivering food, not people. That means:
- No passengers in your car
- Minimal interaction - often just a "leave at door" drop-off
- Listen to your own music or podcasts without headphones
- Work at your own pace without feeling rushed
More Vehicle Options
One thing that makes Uber Eats more accessible is the vehicle flexibility. You don't need a fancy car:
- Car - Any reliable vehicle works
- Bike - Great for urban areas, zero gas costs
- Scooter - Electric scooters are popular in many cities
- On Foot - Some markets even allow walking deliveries
This opens up the gig to a lot more people. If you don't have a car that qualifies for Uber passenger rides, you might still be able to deliver with Uber Eats.
See Earnings Before Accepting
One of my favorite features is seeing exactly what you'll earn before you accept a delivery. You can see:
- The pickup location
- The drop-off area
- Estimated time
- How much you'll make (including tip estimate)
This lets you be strategic. Skip the low-paying long-distance orders and focus on the ones that make sense for your time.
Stack It Up
Here's a pro tip: if you're already signed up for Uber driving, you can easily switch between passengers and food deliveries in the same app. During slow times for passengers, flip on Uber Eats. It's all the same platform, same payouts, same instant cashouts.
The Requirements
Getting started with Uber Eats is straightforward:
- Be at least 18 years old (not 21 like passenger driving)
- Have a valid ID (driver's license if using a car)
- Pass a background check
- Have a smartphone to run the app
- Have an insulated food delivery bag (you can buy one cheap)
When to Deliver
Timing matters with food delivery. The best times to be online:
- Lunch Rush - 11am to 1pm
- Dinner Rush - 5pm to 9pm
- Weekend Evenings - Friday and Saturday nights are usually busy
- Bad Weather Days - People order in when it's raining or cold
- Game Days - Big sports events mean lots of orders
My Take
If you're someone who values alone time and doesn't want to deal with passengers, Uber Eats is a solid choice. You're in control of your music, your pace, and your route. Pick up the food, drop it off, and move on to the next one.
It's also a great way to learn your city, discover new restaurants, and get paid while doing it.
Start delivering on your schedule
Have questions about delivering with Uber Eats? Hit me up in The Everyday Hustle community.
- Jeff
*Earnings shown are estimates and are not guaranteed. Your actual earnings will depend on factors including your location, hours worked, demand in your area, and effort.