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1. Work During Rush Hours
You know those times when traffic feels like a parking lot? That’s when your wallet grows fastest.
Driving during rush hours means you catch all the commuters, school runs, and after-work rides that pay more.
Timing your shifts around high-demand hours can easily turn an average day into a great one.
Best hours: 7–9 AM and 5–8 PM (weekday rush).
Weekend bonus: Late-night rides (especially Friday and Saturday).
Tip alert: Early airport rides often come with generous tips.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Set alarms for the peak hours and open your Uber app to check surge zones before driving out.
Make It Easy: Keep a small dashboard phone mount so your map stays in sight while navigating city traffic.
2. Use Surge Pricing to Your Advantage
Ever seen the app light up red with high fares and thought, “Should I go there?” Yes, you should.
Surge pricing happens when demand spikes, and you can earn two or three times your normal rate.
You just need to know when and where it usually happens.
Friday and Saturday nights: After bars close = easy surge.
Rainy days: People ditch walking and order rides.
Big events: Concerts, sports games, and festivals spike demand fast.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Keep your app open during peak times and plan your route toward the nearest surge zone.
Make It Easy: Keep a dual-port fast car charger in your vehicle so you can charge both your phone and backup device during surge hours without missing a single ride.
3. Maintain a Clean and Smelling Car
Nobody wants to sit in a car that smells like yesterday’s fries.
A clean car means better ratings, and better ratings mean more ride requests.
It’s all about small touches that make riders feel comfortable.
Keep wipes and air fresheners: Quick fixes for spills or odors.
Vacuum weekly: A clean floor boosts first impressions.
Use subtle scents: Think clean linen or ocean breeze, not “car wash bomb.”
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Keep a cleaning kit in your trunk and give your car a quick wipe before every shift.
Make It Easy: Consider a compact handheld vacuum to clean seats and mats between rides.
4. Track Miles for Tax Deductions
Here’s the part most drivers skip. And it’s literally leaving money on the table.
Every mile you drive for work can count as a tax deduction, and those add up faster than you think.
The IRS mileage deduction rate changes yearly, but it’s always worth tracking.
Average deduction: Around 65 cents per mile (2025 rate).
What counts: Driving to pick up riders, between rides, or after drop-offs.
Bonus: Even parking fees and tolls can count as business expenses.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Use a mileage tracker app every time you start and stop driving for Uber.
Make It Easy: Use KeeperTax to record your mileage and deductions for tax season automatically.
5. Focus on Airport and Event Areas
Airports are like gold mines for drivers who know how to work them right.
Thousands of people land every hour, and most need rides immediately.
The same goes for big events: fewer drivers, more money for you.
Airports: Know the pickup zones and timing (early mornings and late nights).
Concerts & sports events: Plan to be nearby 30 minutes before they end.
Business districts: High chance of longer rides during weekdays.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Check your local airport’s Uber rules and time your arrival right before peak flights.
Make It Easy: Use a windshield sunshade to keep your car cool while waiting in the queue.
6. Keep Snacks and Water for Riders
A hungry or thirsty rider isn’t exactly the chatty type.
Keeping bottled water and light snacks handy can turn a 4-star trip into a 5-star one easily.
It’s a tiny cost for a big boost in tips and ratings.
Bottled water: Small bottles only. Clean and simple.
Snacks: Granola bars or mints (skip messy stuff like chips).
Perks: People remember thoughtful drivers and often tip more.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Keep a small cooler bag with mini water bottles, mints, or mini snacks before your shift starts.
Make It Easy: Store a compact backseat organizer to neatly hold your snacks, water bottles, and napkins so everything stays clean and easy to grab.
Hey, I'm Lily! I'm a mom who's really good at two things: stretching a dollar and talking about stretching a dollar. I created Money Vice after one too many grocery trips where I watched my total climb and thought, "There's gotta be a better way." Spoiler: there is. Think of me as your money-savvy friend who's always got a tip (and coffee in hand).
