When Are the Best Times to Deliver With Grubhub?

When you want to maximize your time on the road, it helps to bring a strategic approach to your delivery schedule.

Delivery jobs are a flexible way to make extra money, with Grubhub delivery partners creating their own schedules based on their unique availability. Finding the best times to make deliveries can help unlock your earning potential—read on to learn which delivery periods offer the most orders so that you can maximize your earnings!

Your guide to delivery times

Looking for an easy resource to remember the busiest delivery days when you’re creating your schedule? Use this handy guide!*

*Data is based on recent full year Grubhub for Drivers delivery volume and is subject to change.

Peak meal periods for delivery

Overall, dinnertime is the busiest time to deliver meals. This is especially great news for delivery partners who work daytime jobs but don’t want to miss out on peak delivery job hours. If you have evening commitments, don’t fret. Grubhub sees millions of orders a year across all windows, including mid-day and late night orders outside of traditional mealtimes.

Peak days of the week for delivery

Across the US, Fridays are typically the highest order volume day for merchants, making them one of the most lucrative days to deliver with Grubhub. Lunch and dinner orders spike on Fridays, so keep them in mind as you plan your scheduled blocks to take advantage of peak hours, complete more orders, and earn more cash.

You will not be surprised to learn that weekends are when most people order in. Saturday is typically the second-highest order volume day, followed by Sunday. If your schedule allows for weekend time on the road, you may fulfill more orders, meaning more money in your pocket.

Don’t forget about weekdays

Weekdays see plenty of orders to fulfill as well, with most delivery partners including weekday time slots in their schedules. For example, delivery partners who deliver in business districts may find their lunchtime weekdays busier than weekends when offices are closed. College campuses can see high demand on weekdays as well, with students seeking off-campus dining offerings.

Take advantage of late-night deliveries

Grubhub offers numerous 24-hour markets including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Boston, Miami, Baltimore, Houston, and Washington D.C. If you deliver in a 24-hour market, you can look forward to earning well into the evening and early morning hours. College towns and other areas with active nightlife scenes mean more earning opportunities as well, plus for delivery partners 21+, late-night shifts can mean more earnings with alcohol deliveries.

Know your local events calendar

We all know that when people gather, they need food (plus drinks, pharmacy items, and more)! Large events like music festivals, concerts, and sporting events can make for extra orders. Keep track of local events and gatherings that may draw a crowd if you want to get strategic with your delivery schedule.

Similarly, knowing your local market can help you schedule lucrative blocks in advance. Live near a college campus? Don’t miss the first weekend back to college, when families drive into town to help their kids move into their dorm. A little experience and local knowledge can go a long way toward helping you pick the best times to work.

So what are you waiting for? Head to the Driver app to build the best schedule for you.

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