Not a good gig for rural hustlers, but…
🧾 Reality Check
This was a real-world test, not a success story.
- Rural starting location
- Personal vehicle (Jeep Cherokee)
- Tracked miles, hours, and expenses
- IRS mileage rate used for wear, gas, and repairs
Uber was interesting.
It was educational.
It was not especially profitable.
If you’re rural or semi-rural, expect lower hourly returns unless conditions change.
This gig paid in experience more than cash.
Intro
I’ve had many driving jobs, from Dominos back in their heyday to “way before its time” restaurant delivery in the late 80s.
Uber was the most interesting.
I definitely didn’t roll in cash. Between taxes and late-night Burger King tacos, I probably lost money. Starting each session from a rural location didn’t help, sometimes driving 20 miles just to get the first fare.
The “investment to date” includes the IRS mileage rate, about $0.52 per mile, accounting for gas, repairs, wear, and yes, puke. Only once.
The Reality (Quick Stats)
- Miles driven: ~4,076
- Trips: 308
- Estimated income after expenses and tax: $875
- Estimated hours: 200
- Estimated return per hour: priceless and $4.38
- Part-time over about a year, ended with the COVID shutdown
I met a wide swath of the American population. The budding writer in me locked away dozens of characters and situations into the Muse Vault.
I might clean up the old Jeep and do it again someday for fun.
Not for profit.
Mission
Provide a five-star experience for passengers and grub.
And once, even dog plasma.
- Maximize routes to stay the *#%& out of DC
- Deliver a five-star driving experience (ended with only one non-five-star)
- Do not sample the food, even when it smells incredible
Goals
Short-Term Goals (Q1 2022)
None. Project ended.
Long-Term Goals
None. Project ended.
Might do it again someday for the conversations.
The Numbers
- Investment to date: $3,309.87
- Revenue to date: $4,403.98
Try It Yourself
Sign up and try it for yourself.
Earn $2,100 guaranteed after completing your first 200 trips.
See How Uber Works
I get a referral commission if you complete 200 trips.
Go. Go. Go.
Delivery Gigs and Uber Eats (Quick Take)
I primarily tested Uber for driving passengers, not delivery.
In dense urban areas, delivery can work.
In rural or semi-rural markets, delivery was worse than driving.
Dead miles, fuel costs, and low order volume kill the math fast.
If you’re evaluating delivery gigs, start with the bigger picture first.
Start Here
Verdict
Uber driving was interesting.
Educational.
Occasionally entertaining.
It was not a strong income play for a rural driver.
If you’re new to side gigs, start here before picking your first experiment.