Mileage is, by far, the largest deduction you can claim for your taxes as a gig worker or gig driver. But just as important, you need to ensure that you’re recording all the miles you’re entitled to claim. The question for gig drivers is, What is the best mileage tracking app?
Gridwise offers the best mileage tracking app, allowing you to track every mile you drive as a gig driver. Better yet, it’s free and is instantly available when you download the Gridwise app.
Here's what we cover:
* Gridwise does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for information purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors before filing your return.
What miles can you track as a gig driver or gig worker, and why use a mileage tracker?
If you’ve been a gig driver long enough to get your tax information at the end of the year, you see that most gig companies provide the mileage you drove while on their app. But is that the mileage you should claim as a tax deduction? No.
The gig platforms track your mileage only from the time you receive your pickup order for your ride or food delivery order until the time you complete it. That’s your time on the clock with the app.
The truth is every mile you drive from the time you pull out of your driveway until your return is tax deductible. That includes the miles you drive on your way to your first ride or order, the miles you drive between rideshares or orders, and the miles you go to get home at the end of your shift. These miles are all tax-deductible.
For example, let’s say that your various gig driving apps total 55,832 miles in 2023. But those additional miles between passengers and deliveries added as much as 30,000 miles to your total (a conservative number). Deducting those miles using the standard mileage deduction of 67 cents a mile comes to a whopping $20,100 in additional write-offs on your Schedule C. Now you’re in a lower tax bracket, paying far less in taxes.*
Not long ago, tracking your mileage meant keeping a handwritten log, a cumbersome and tedious task. After a week or two of being diligent about it, you probably slacked off and forgot. Then, at tax time, you simply made up a figure or went by the report from the gig platform. That was money lost and a problem should you get audited by the IRS.
It’s essential that you track your miles and that you use the best app for tracking mileage.
Download the app now. You can start by going to the Gridwise home page.
Is Gridwise really the best app for tracking mileage?
Experienced gig drivers founded Gridwise, and when they developed the Gridwise mileage tracking app, they did it with gig drivers in mind. It has all the features a gig driver wants and needs in the best mileage tracking app, with many of its functions automatic.
- Easily paired to your existing gig apps. After downloading the Gridwise app, open it and connect it to the gig platforms you work on. It takes only minutes.
The Gridwise app can even be programmed to remind you to turn on the mileage tracker when you start driving.
- Reminds you to turn it on. Should you forget, an easy-to-find option on the Gridwise app reminds you to turn on the mileage tracker. Switch it on, and the app senses when you’re driving and sends a message through your phone.
- Plus subscribers have access to automated mileage tracking (no need to turn it on or off!)
- Records all your miles. The Gridwise mileage tracker taps into your phone’s GPS. You’re tracking those miles wherever you go and keeping a record.
- Records your mileage into a downloadable file. The Gridwise mileage app records your mileage into a file you can easily download into a Microsoft Excel file for tax purposes. What used to take you an entire day to figure out with a clunky calculator is now accomplished in minutes.
With these features, it’s no wonder the Gridwise app is popular and regarded as the best mileage tracking app.
Features of the Gridwise app
Gridwise includes features that will get you more ride requests, more food orders, and maybe even fewer miles driven for the earnings you bring in.
The following table looks at premium features available on the paid Gridwise app.
| Features | Gridwise |
| Google score | 4.6 |
| Apple score | 4.9 |
| Cost | $6 monthly, if paid annually or $9.99 on monthly plan. |
| Plan scope | One plan includes all benefits and services. |
| Ability to link gig accounts | Yes |
| Assigns earning categories | Yes |
| Earnings trends | Yes |
| Mileage tracker (automatic, on/off and manual) | Yes |
| Earnings tracker | Yes |
| Expense tracker | Yes |
| When to drive | Yes |
| Where to drive | Yes |
| Live activities info | Yes |
| Messaging of special events and opportunities | Yes |
| Provides wage earning info based on real-time analytics of more than 500K drivers | Yes |
| Shows typical earnings in the area | Yes |
| Airport status | Yes |
| Life insurance | Yes |
| Traffic alerts | Yes |
Watch this YouTube video to learn about the Gridwise mileage tracker. The next time you hear a gig driver ask, ”What is the best app for tracking mileage?” you can tell them it’s the Gridwise mileage tracker.
Mileage Tracking and Tax Auditing FAQs
What about all the miles I’ve driven so far this year if I’m only just starting to track miles?
There is an option. The IRS calls it “sampling,” and they’ll accept it if you have thorough records. Suppose you did not accurately track your mileage for Q1 2024. Then you realize your oversight and start using the Gridwise mileage tracking app. Now you’re keeping diligent records. At the end of the year, figure out what you drove for each quarter (it’ll be a breeze because you’re using the Gridwise mileage tracker). Take the average of those three quarters, and you can safely use it for the first quarter. Review Publication 463 (2021), Travel, Gift, and Car Expenses for a full explanation of sampling. Look under Section 5, Record Keeping.
Don’t I need an odometer reading for my taxes?
IRS guidelines do not explicitly say you need odometer readings as part of your mileage record, only that you have to keep records. However, taking a photo of your odometer with your cell phone on the first day and the last day of the year is a good idea. This provides backup proof in the event of an IRS audit.
Will the IRS accept mileage from a mileage tracker?
The key with the IRS is that you keep consistent records. Using the Gridwise mileage tracker is about as consistent as you can get. We have heard of no cases where the IRS disallowed mileage records using a mileage tracker.
What are my chances of being audited and having to produce a mileage record?
The gig industry is new to IRS auditors, something different and fascinating beyond the humdrum boredom of a regular audit. The IRS is also still trying to figure out all its policies pertaining to gig workers. It’s an excellent opportunity for an ambitious auditor to make a name for themselves, landing you a better-than-average chance that you’ll end up a guinea pig audit.
Additionally, as a gig driver, you’re self-employed and already using mileage as a tax deduction. Those two factors alone are sufficient audit triggers.
Will the Gridwise mileage tracker work with my phone?
The Gridwise mileage tracker will work with any phone you use for gig driving. It’s also the best free mileage tracking app for iPhone and Android phones.
Can you round off your mileage numbers?
This is another reason you should be using the Gridwise mileage tracker: you get exact numbers. Rounded numbers are a red flag for an auditor. It looks as if you’re making things up. The more precise you can be in your information, the better you look should you find yourself getting audited. Gridwise allows you to be exact.
How can I get my free Gridwise mileage tracker?
The Gridwise mileage tracker is part of the Gridwise app and is available from the Play Store (Android) or the Apple Store (iPhone). You can also get more information about the Gridwise mileage tracker on the Gridwise website.
How Gridwise works
What are the other features of the Gridwise app?
Gridwise isn’t just a mileage tracker. It’s an entire app dedicated to helping you drive smarter and make more money as a gig driver. Here are just a few of the features.
- Expense tracker. The Gridwise expense tracker allows you to photograph receipts and enter the information in the app’s expense log. You have copies of all your receipts at your fingertips, ready to print in electronic or hard copy.
- Earning trends. Gridwise allows you to link all your gig platforms. You can convert your earnings information into easy-to-understand graphs to see which platforms earn you the most.
- When to drive. Look on the When to Drive tab for the most profitable times to drive any platform.
- Where to drive. You know that every neighborhood has specific rideshare and food delivery needs, but sometimes there’s more information you can keep in mind. Gridwise can always recommend Where to Drive to earn the maximum dollars.
- Live activities. From sporting events to concerts to trade shows, you’ll find the most current information for your region on the Gridwise app.
- Messaging. New developments and special events in your area bring a constant wave of opportunities for gig drivers. Learn about them through the Gridwise messaging function.
- Airport status. With Gridwise you’ll know when flights are arriving with passengers needing to go somewhere. Take the guesswork out of the airport game.
- Weather info. Know when to expect the next storm with the Gridwise app. Adverse weather is enough to make some drivers stay in, but others know to cash in on the extra demand for rideshare or food delivery in their region.
- Traffic alerts. Traffic conditions can change rapidly, even before Waze or Google Maps detects them. Rely on Gridwise traffic alerts to keep you informed.
Rely on Gridwise for the best mileage tracking app
Gridwise is the best mileage tracking app because it was developed for gig workers, by gig workers. It incorporates all the tools you need to succeed on your chosen gig platforms. Download your free app now. Start by going to the Gridwise home page.
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Check out these Gridwise pages to learn more about the Gridwise mileage tracker:
- Download the Gridwise app for free (includes the Gridwise mileage tracker).
- The best mileage tracking app for DoorDash
- The best business mileage tracking app
- The best mileage tracking app for delivery drivers
* Gridwise does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for information purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors before filing your return.
