The Halloween Gig Driving Guide

Halloween gig driving can be lots of fun, and it’s also a great time for gig drivers to make more money. With haunting going on for several days at a stretch, parties, parades, and other events will attract lots of business for rideshare and delivery drivers alike. You can probably go out as usual and still make a little more than you normally do, but why settle for that?

In this post, we’ll tell you how to make Halloween gig driving as rewarding as it is fun. We’ll talk safety, strategy, and how to earn bigger tips.

Halloween Week Brings Earnings Surge for Gig Drivers

When talking about Halloween, we can’t ignore the earnings potential! Last year, rideshare drivers made more money in the week before Halloween. Their earnings went up by 11.4% compared to what they usually made in the three months before. This is likely because Halloween parties happened before Halloween itself which fell on a Tuesday. During the actual week of Halloween, earnings dropped by 2% below the usual amount. Here’s what drivers earned on average:

This year is different. Halloween is on a Thursday, so drivers might make more money from October 31 to November 3. This weekend could be busier than usual, giving drivers a chance to earn more.

Getting in on the fun–and money–with Lyft or Uber on Halloween

You might not be a huge Halloween person, but many customers likely are. From parents who want to keep their small ones dry and safe on the way to school events to hardcore party people who dive into the Halloween holiday spirit headfirst, you’ll come across many passengers during this super busy week.

Since so many will be super excited about this spooky season, the way you approach your halloween gig driving could make your customers extra generous and appreciative. Here are a few pieces of sound Lyft and Uber driver advice:

• Remain professional. Always greet your passengers as you would at any other time, and stay away from getting overly dramatic about acting like a scary zombie, axe murderer, or vampire, especially with young kids in the car.
• Offer treats. Even jaded business travelers on the way to the airport might enjoy a sweet Halloween treat. Put a smile on passengers’ faces by ensuring your offerings are in their original wrappings so they can feel safe eating them. You might want to offer bottled water, too. Super-high doses of sugar can make all goblins, big and small, mighty thirsty.
• Present your Halloween playlist. You’ll want to do this carefully, of course, but a subtly crafted sequence of songs appropriate to the season will make you stand out with your passengers, who’ll just have to tip you for your great musical taste.
• Decorate your car. A temporary Halloween wrap for the exterior or some subtle orange and white lights on the interior could make yours the car they all want to be in when they celebrate their Lyft or Uber Halloween holiday.
• Brush up on customer service skills and keep them in mind no matter what Halloween horrors you might encounter. This post from Gridwise will help.
• Check in with your company for further tips, tricks, and features you can use to make Halloween safe and profitable. Uber offers Halloween tips for drivers here, and you’ll find advice from Lyft for Halloween driving in this article on their website.

Costume and car safety tips on halloween

Halloween costumes can be a fun way to get into the holiday spirit, but as a gig driver, safety must come first—both for you and your passengers.

• Dress up with discernment. If you decide to dress up, keep it to common sense costume choices. Make sure your face is recognizable, and avoid makeup, clothing, or props that make seeing clearly or moving freely while driving difficult. If you don’t want to get too wildly creative, you can always assemble a Halloween costume for a Lyft or Uber driver! Slap a sign on your chest that says “Scary good driver,” and you’ll be good to go. (More tips below!)
• Costume Considerations for Safety: Avoid masks or large headpieces that block your view, and make sure your costume doesn’t interfere with the operation of your vehicle. Simple, easy-to-wear costumes like themed hats or shirts are great options. And don’t forget—your costume should still allow you to present yourself professionally to customers.
• Car Safety and Decorations: Decorating your car can add to the fun, but it’s important not to overdo it. If you’re putting up Halloween lights or adding decor inside your vehicle, ensure that none of it obstructs your mirrors, windows, or the operation of the vehicle. Opt for subtle touches like small orange lights or temporary window decals that you can remove easily after Halloween.

Delivery tricks to earn you treats

Is DoorDash busy on Halloween? You bet the best bat in your belfry it is! People have to eat something besides candy at all those parties and parade pregaming sessions, right? This Reddit thread speaks to opportunities waiting for Halloween delivery drivers.

There’s every reason to expect delivery drivers to have their own kind of Halloween fun, and to profit from it, too. Here are some moves DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart, Shipt, and Grubhub drivers can make to share in this fun-filled holiday’s eerie, magical spirit.

• Carry treats for restaurant workers. You might see these people more than once a week, or you might have only one encounter with them ever. In either case, offering them a little something will keep them cheerier and get you better ratings from the restaurant. 
• Follow the call of the Halloween spirit. If restaurant workers or customers seem to be celebrating, it’s fine to chime in with a spooky comment or quirky quip. But if it looks like the people you’re dealing with have no idea there’s anything special about this time of year, act like you always do, with friendliness, grace, and professionalism. Read more about how to be a 5-star delivery driver in this Gridwise blog post.
• Tread lightly through backyard Halloween displays. So many people get extremely serious about decorating their yards with blow-up ghosts, gravestones, skeletons, and witches. What’s fun the rest of the day can be downright treacherous for delivery drivers. A headlamp or other means of shining light on what’s underfoot might be called for, so you don’t hurt yourself or destroy a well-thought-out ghoulish (and garish) display. Keep your DoorDash Halloween safe and fun.

Halloween-Specific Customer Service Tips

Halloween gives drivers a unique opportunity to stand out and create a memorable experience for passengers and customers. Excellent customer service is key to higher ratings and bigger tips.

• Boosting Your Ratings: Go the extra mile this Halloween by getting into the spirit with friendly, light conversation about the holiday or complimenting customers on their costumes. Passengers appreciate a driver who engages with them, especially during festive times like Halloween. However, be mindful of your passenger’s mood—if they’re not in the Halloween spirit, it’s best to keep the conversation professional.
• Seasonal Treats for Tips: Offering candy or small, sealed treats to your passengers can earn you great reviews and bigger tips. Just be sure to offer items that are pre-packaged and safe to consume. A thoughtful, themed gesture like this can leave a lasting impression and increase your chances of positive feedback.

By focusing on seasonal customer service, you can turn Halloween into an opportunity for higher earnings through great ratings and tips.

Top Halloween Events in Major Cities for Gig Drivers

Halloween is all about knowing where the action is happening, and as a gig driver, you can position yourself to take full advantage of these high-traffic zones.

• Know the Hotspots: Major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago host some of the biggest Halloween events. Parades, block parties, and haunted houses all draw large crowds and create high demand for rides. Use Gridwise’s event calendar to track these events and plan your route accordingly. By focusing on areas with heavy foot traffic and event venues, you’ll maximize your earnings from both rideshare and delivery gigs.
• Balancing the Right Zones: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket by sticking solely to high-demand areas. Popular areas will attract a lot of drivers, which could lead to oversaturation. Use Gridwise to analyze traffic patterns and mix it up by also covering nearby neighborhoods where competition is lighter but demand is still solid.

By knowing where the top Halloween events are happening, you can make sure you’re always in the right place at the right time to get the best fares.

Know where to drive and when

Keeping track of events when you’re doing Halloween driving can be tricky. That’s why you’re so lucky to have Gridwise. It’s not just the best mileage tracking app out there. Use the Gridwise events calendar to see where the parades, shows, scare houses, and public parties are happening. Having this info at your fingertips will make it easy to put together a winning Lyft or Uber driving strategy—but Gridwise has even more to offer.

Gridwise features Where to Drive and When to Drive give you real-time data on where drivers are making the most in your neighborhood. Studying the patterns in these features will tip you off as to when the peak passenger and delivery traffic is humming and where to find the most business. With Gridwise, you get all this and a free mileage tracker, too!

Stay safe and keep clean

The truth about Halloween is that it can be fun, but there are hidden dangers and inconveniences you’ll want to beware of. Consider these tips for keeping yourself and your passengers safe, and for preventing damage to your vehicle:

• Identify your passengers and delivery customers. Dress some people in a costume, and they can get downright silly and, sometimes, even dangerous. Don’t be shy about asking a passenger who appears somewhat sketchy to remove their mask, so you can make sure you’re picking up the right person. Same goes for delivery. The word “trick” is very popular this time of year, and there could be a masked imposter hoping to pilfer that awesome spread of wings, burgers, and fries you’re carrying.
• Use in-app phone safety features. In case someone is acting out a Halloween stalker movie, you don’t want to become their prey. Your app most likely includes features that let a friend or family member follow your trips and know your whereabouts, and will let you contact emergency services with one swipe or tap. Get familiar with these features, and use them. It’s better to be overcautious than to find yourself in some real trouble.
• Demand full visibility. The chowderhead in your back seat dressed in a giant lobster costume might be cute and creative, but if the oversized claws are blocking your view, you’ll need to ask that they come off till the ride is over.
• Stay alert. Halloween is a very exciting time, particularly for children. Drive slowly and carefully, looking in as many directions as possible for people who might walk right in front of or behind your car. Make sure your lights are on at all times, even in the daytime, which really does help people notice there’s a car in their vicinity.
• Try a tarp. This sounds somewhat extreme, but if you’re creative, you can turn a protective seat cover into an enticing Halloween decoration for your car. You’ll want this for more than just the messes mentioned above. Glitter, face paint, green slime, and other costume components might look fabulous on your customers, but it’s not such a great look when they get ground into your upholstery. (More tips on keeping your car clean below!)
• Choose parking spots carefully. This one is mainly for you 5-star delivery drivers, but even rideshare drivers stopping for a quick bevvy or a bio break have to park somewhere. Remember that people still use Halloween as an excuse to soap windows and smash pumpkins. Avoid parking where they might be able to make this mischief with your car.
• Read more about safety for drivers in this Gridwise article, and additional safety tips for female drivers in this Gridwise blog post.
• Keep your cool. Even if you see a clan of kids TP-ing your pine trees when you come in from a long night, try to remember Halloween is all about the fun of being just a little bit naughty. That thing about everybody being “nice” all the time is for a totally different holiday.

How to Prep Your Car for Halloween Cleanups

With the excitement of Halloween, there’s always a chance for messes—whether it’s glitter from a costume or candy wrappers left behind by passengers.

• Halloween-Specific Car Prep: Equip your vehicle with essential cleaning supplies to handle any spills or messes quickly. Paper towels, disinfectant spray, air freshener, and trash bags are a must. These items will allow you to clean up any small accidents on the go without losing valuable driving time.
• Protecting Your Upholstery: To prevent costume glitter, face paint, or other Halloween accessories from damaging your seats, consider using temporary seat covers or a tarp (mentioned above). You can even turn this practical solution into a fun Halloween decoration by choosing themed covers that fit the spooky spirit.
• Carry daycare equipment for drunks. For many of the party-prone among us, Halloween is a huge opportunity to tie on more than a costume. Carry sick bags, a roll or two of paper towels, cleaning solution, and plastic garbage bags to take care of any spills or “upheavals” that might occur. Sparkling bottled water could be convenient to have on hand at times like this, too. And remember, if they make a mess, your passengers have to pay to clean it up. Claim with your company to cover detailing costs. Read this post about how to deal with drivers who are, er, “under the influence” for further helpful hints.

By prepping your car ahead of time, you can ensure that it stays clean and presentable throughout the busy Halloween season.

Managing Drunk Passengers During Halloween

As Halloween brings out the partygoers, it’s inevitable that rideshare drivers will encounter intoxicated passengers. Handling these situations properly is key to staying safe and ensuring a smooth ride.

• How to Handle Intoxicated Passengers: If you notice your passenger is drunk, stay calm and professional. Avoid engaging in arguments or encouraging excessive conversation. If the passenger is disruptive or potentially unsafe, don’t hesitate to end the ride early or pull over to a safe location. Politely ask them to leave the vehicle if necessary, and report any concerning behavior to the rideshare platform.
• Safety Features and Claims: Most rideshare apps come equipped with safety features, such as the ability to share your trip with family or friends. Be sure to activate these when you feel uneasy. Also, keep in mind that if an intoxicated passenger makes a mess in your vehicle, you can submit a cleaning fee claim through Uber or Lyft. Keep your vehicle equipped with cleaning supplies like paper towels, disinfectant, and air freshener to handle any accidents.

Managing drunk passengers safely will help you avoid potential problems and ensure a smooth Halloween shift.

Enjoy your Halloween driving, and may you avoid tricks and get many treats, especially tips! Be sure to bring Gridwise along for the ride to track your awesome earnings during this spooky holiday time!