by Christiana Dryden
Your car is more than just a ride—it’s also a potential income source. Whether you drive a hatchback, a pickup truck, or something in between, you can use it to make extra money.
In this guide, we’ll share 13 creative ways to monetize your car, tailoring each idea to fit your vehicle and lifestyle.
Top 13 Ideas for Making Money with Your Car
It doesn’t matter where you live in the US – there are flexible driving opportunities within the world of crowdsourced delivery platforms for almost any car and driver.
Let’s explore the top 13 auto-related side hustles of 2023:
1. Make money driving with Roadie.
Crowdsourced delivery platforms like Roadie are a game-changer for earning while driving. You can pick up an item and deliver it to someone in your area in a few taps. You can earn as much as $13 per delivery, with opportunities to earn more with multi-stop trips, XL deliveries, and extra certifications. And in many cases, the deliveries are just a few miles or minutes!
If you’re looking to fill gaps in your schedule or devote specific hours to driving, when you use Roadie you always get to choose just those deliveries that suit you. It’s a reliable, flexible way to monetize your vehicle.
Roadie deliveries are always things, not people, so you can enjoy your solo-driving, choose your own tunes and temperature, and never have to worry about passengers.
2. Give rides to people.
If you’re comfortable riding with strangers, ridesharing is an excellent option for earning extra cash with your car. Earnings depend on many factors–specifically, how far your passenger wants to go. A single Uber ride could pay $2-5 if someone is going down the road, but much higher for a rush hour drive across town.
Remember that rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft have minimum car requirements. You’ll need a well-maintained 4-door sedan or SUV to be eligible.
3. Work with a food delivery service.
Food delivery services are a popular side hustle, allowing you to earn money by delivering food from local restaurants to customers’ doors. Platforms like DoorDash, UberEATS, Grubhub, and Postmates offer plenty of opportunities for delivery drivers.
All you need to get started is a vehicle, a smartphone, and a reliable automobile. However, it’s important to note that earnings often depend heavily on customer tips, making income unpredictable.
4. Shop and deliver groceries.
Grocery delivery apps like Shipt and Instacart offer drivers a flexible way to earn income by fulfilling grocery orders. You can choose your schedule as a driver, allowing for an excellent work-life balance.
The apps provide a simple interface for accepting and fulfilling orders, making it easy to navigate through the shopping list and efficiently complete your deliveries. Earnings typically come from a combination of a base fee, tips, and, occasionally, bonuses based on demand.
5. Rent out your car when you’re not using it.
If you don’t use your car often, consider loaning it to someone else. Platforms like Turo and Getaround help vehicle owners earn extra income with peer-to-peer rentals.
Users can choose from various cars based on their preferences and needs. Often, these rental platforms offer extra insurance options for security and peace of mind during rentals.
6. Help people move XL items.
Got extra cargo space in your truck, trailer, van, or SUV? Consider offering delivery services for bulky or hard-to-move items.
Most people don’t have a way to transport large items like furniture or appliances, so there’s a high demand and payout for this type of delivery service. For example, the Roadie platform has exclusive Gigs for XL, bulky, and hard-to-move items, which can boost your earnings.
7. Pick up and deliver medications.
In the gig economy, prescription delivery is a great side hustle. Many delivery platforms like Roadie now partner with local pharmacies, allowing drivers to ensure timely and confidential medication deliveries.
Pharmacy Gigs are a perfect fit if you have a smaller car. However, keep in mind that pharmacy deliveries require extra certifications.
8. Make passive income with car advertisem*nts.
Another fun side hustle: Turn your car into a moving billboard. According to FinanceBuzz, companies like Wrapify, Carvertise, and Nickelytics will pay you to add a decal, sticker, or wrap to your car to promote a product or service.
Choose advertisers that align with your preferences, and let your vehicle do the work for you while you go about your daily routine, earning as you drive.
9. Create a mobile business.
If you have a specialized skill like repairing bikes, you can transform it into a mobile business. Mobile side hustles like car maintenance, pet grooming, or bike tune-ups offer flexibility and convenience.
Startup costs for specialized tools or vehicle modifications can be a drawback. However, the potential to meet customer demand at their door makes it a viable option to earn extra income.
10. Help children or older people get around.
Did you know that about 20% of adults aged 65 or older don’t drive? Young or old, many people need reliable help getting around.
If you have childcare or eldercare experience, consider rideshare platforms or services that specialize in helping these populations. Some platforms specifically cater to minors or older adults, ensuring safety and care during transportation.
11. Take part in car and traffic-related studies.
According to a tip from Reddit, you can make a little extra cash with your car by participating in research studies. They say, “Keep an eye out for traffic studies — I’m getting $100 for driving to work with a GPS on my phone this week.”
To find opportunities near you, check out local university research boards, subreddits for your city or town, and job postings at college libraries.
12. Be a taxi driver…for pets. 🐾
If you don’t mind a little dog hair in your car, consider driving for a pet taxi service. With more office workers back after the pandemic, plenty of people need extra help caring for their pets.
This includes transporting pets to vet appointments, doggie daycare, and more. Try a Google search for ‘local pet taxi’ to find pet taxi opportunities in your area.
13. Run errands for your neighbors.
Often, busy parents and families will hire you to do their local errands, like picking up items around town, returning purchases, or grocery shopping.
To find opportunities like this, join online groups for your community and start posting. Sign up for your local email lists, Facebook groups, or Nextdoor neighborhoods to connect with neighbors and find great opportunities.
Before You Drive
Preparation is vital before getting on the road and earning money. Here’s what you should know before you go:
- Get ready to be a boss.
Making money with your car means you’re the boss. This comes with incredible pros (hello, flexibility, and freedom) and a few cons, like taxes. - Know your tax responsibilities.
When you earn extra cash with your car, you’re responsible for reporting those earnings to the IRS and paying income taxes. Get familiar with state and federal tax laws, including any auto-related tax breaks you may qualify for. - Check your auto insurance coverage.
Nearly all gig work requires you to have adequate auto insurance – including commercial coverage. Be sure your coverage levels are at least equivalent to your state’s minimums, you have informed your agent that you are using your vehicle for gig work, and your insurance is fully paid and up to date before driving. - Get certified for extra cash.
No matter what car monetization strategy you pick, it always pays to do your research. Extra knowledge often leads to more money and better opportunities. For example, if you’re driving with Roadie, you can get certified in the app for specialized deliveries and vehicle types.
Ready to Hit the Road?
With these 13 creative ways to monetize your car, you can unlock the potential of your wheels and drive towards financial freedom.
If you’re ready to hit the road and start earning fast, you’ll love Roadie. Turn spare time into extra cash, earning up to $13 per local trip and even more on multi-stop deliveries.
Sign up to drive with Roadie.
