Shift Profitability Simulator
Stop "feeling busy" and start seeing what you really earn. This simulator models a realistic shift—including dead time, dead miles, and all vehicle costs—to show your true net hourly rate.
Why This Matters
The True Cost of Gig Driving
Vehicle Depreciation Is Real: Every mile you drive reduces your car's value. For a $20,000 car driven 30,000 miles/year for gig work, you're losing $4,000-6,000/year in value—that's $2-3/hour just in depreciation.
Self-Employment Tax Stings: Unlike W-2 jobs where employers pay half your FICA taxes, you pay the full 15.3% yourself. On top of that comes income tax. Setting aside 25-30% of profit is prudent.
Maintenance Adds Up: Oil changes, tires, brakes, and unexpected repairs hit harder with high mileage. Budget $0.05-0.10/mile for maintenance, more for older vehicles.
Common Questions
What is "dead time" in rideshare and delivery?
Dead time is any time you're online but not actively earning—waiting for requests, driving to pickup without pay, sitting in parking lots, or repositioning between zones. Most drivers underestimate this: typical dead time is 20-40% of shift hours. A "4-hour shift" might only have 2.5-3 hours of paid activity.
What are "dead miles" and why do they matter?
Dead miles are any miles driven without a passenger or delivery—driving to pickup, returning from dropoff, repositioning. Every dead mile costs you gas and depreciation with zero revenue. If 30% of your miles are dead miles, your true cost-per-paid-mile is 43% higher than you think.
How do I calculate my true cost per mile?
Add up: (1) Gas (miles ÷ MPG × gas price), (2) Depreciation (typically $0.15-0.30/mile depending on vehicle value), (3) Maintenance ($0.05-0.10/mile for oil, tires, brakes). Total is usually $0.30-0.60/mile. The IRS allows $0.67/mile (2024) for tax deductions.
Why is my net hourly so much lower than app earnings show?
Apps show gross earnings during ACTIVE time. They don't show: (1) Vehicle costs ($5-15/hour), (2) Self-employment tax (15.3% of profit), (3) Dead time (increases effective hours worked), (4) Dead miles (increases costs). A $25/hr "app rate" often becomes $12-18/hr net.
Related Tools
Results are estimates based on your inputs. Actual earnings vary by market, time of day, demand, and individual driving patterns. Vehicle costs depend on make, model, age, and maintenance history. This is not financial or tax advice—consult a professional for your situation.