Not a good gig for rural hustlers, but…
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Thinking about driving for Uber in a smaller city or rural area? It’s not the nonstop hustle you’d find in NYC or LA—but with the right strategy, it can still be worth it. I drove over 4,000 miles across rural Virginia, completed 300+ trips, and logged every expense. Here’s what I learned—and what you should know before you sign up.
I have had many driving jobs, from Dominos back in their hay day, to a “way before it’s time” delivery from any restaurant service (in the late 80s). But Uber was the most interesting
I definitely didn’t roll in the cash from Uber, and with taxes and late-night Tacos from Burger King I probably lost money. Didn’t help that started each session from a rural location and sometimes had to drive 20 miles for my first fare.
The “Investment to Date” stat, includes the approx. .52 cents a mile the IRS said my Jeep Cherokee suffered in repairs, gas and puke (only once).
| Metric | Value |
| Total Miles Driven | 4,178 miles |
| Uber-Paid Miles | 2,238 miles |
| Total Trips | 310 |
| Total Hours | 128 |
| Paid By Uber | $4403.98 |
| Net Earnings | $560 |
| Net Hourly Rate | $4.38 |
| ROI (After Gas, No Wear and Tear) | -$112 |
Pro tip: Long deadhead drives and sparse demand can quickly turn Uber into a losing gig, especially in rural zones.
I did meet a wide swath of the American populace while driving and the budding writer in me locked up dozens of characters and situations into the Muse Vault.
I may clean up the ol’ Jeep and head out someday again for fun, but not for profit.
Why Uber and Lyft Earnings Are Low in Rural Areas:
🛣️ Low trip density means more unpaid driving.
⛽ Dead miles drain fuel without income.
📉 Limited surge pricing in small towns.
🔧 Wear-and-tear adds up fast if you’re not tracking expenses.
MISSION:
Provide 5 Star Experience for Passengers and grub (and once even dog plasma)
- Maximize Routes to Stay the *#%& out of DC
- Provide 5 Star Driving Experience (Ended with only 1 non 5 Star)
- Not Sample the food, damn some of it smelled good!
GOALS:
Short Term Goals: Quarter 1 2022
- None, Project Ended
Long Term Goals:
- None, Project Ended (Might do again for the conversations and restaurant exposure mmm)
The Numbers:
Investment to Date: $3309.87
Revenue to Date: $ 4403.98
Is Rural Uber Driving Right for You?:
Best Suited For:
- Drivers looking for flexible, occasional side income
- People testing Uber without relying on it full-time
- Those who can combine Uber with errands or delivery
Not Recommended If:
- You need to earn $20+/hour consistently
- You plan to use Uber as your main job
- You hate idle time or driving without passengers
5 Tips to Boost Your Uber ROI:
- 📱 Use mileage apps like Everlance or Hurdlr to track deductions
- ⏰ Drive during local events or weekend nights for peak rates
- 📊 Log every vehicle expense — especially if you deduct $0.655/mile
- 📦 Stack Uber with food delivery gigs like DoorDash
- 🎁 Sign up when bonuses are active — $1,000+ is common in many areas
Ready to Try It? Check Your Uber Sign‑Up Bonus:
Uber often offers new drivers up to $2,100 in bonuses for completing early trips. That bonus can flip your ROI from negative to profitable quickly.
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