Comparison Matrix
Platform Arbitrage — DoorDash vs Uber
Two gig platforms, same driver, same shift length — different mileage profiles. Delivery routes typically rack up more miles per dollar than urban rideshare; rideshare typically pays more per hour but with denser city wear. The delta bar shows which one actually nets more after the IRS mileage rate (which captures gas + depreciation + maintenance).
What this matrix surfaces
The IRS standard mileage rate ($0.67/mile in 2024) is the rough proxy for the true cost of a gig mile — gas plus maintenance plus depreciation. A platform that pays $40/hour but burns 100 miles per shift is paying about $0.40/mile in pure gas, but trading $67 of asset wear for every 100 miles. Rideshare in a dense urban core often beats delivery on real hourly even when nominal pay looks similar.
Adjust either column with your own real numbers from a recent week. Most drivers are surprised how the rankings flip when miles are honestly counted.