Delivery drivers are already inundated with options, but new platforms keep popping up with big promises.
Roadie and Curri are two newcomers to package delivery that have gained momentum in recent years. While more options for drivers is generally a good thing, it can also lead to a big question: What is the best delivery option for drivers?
Not to worry!
We’ve already written about Curri in an earlier post, so this article focuses on the Roadie delivery service. We’ll help you understand what it is, how it works, how much drivers can earn, advantages, disadvantages, and whether it’s worth your time.
What is Roadie?
Roadie describes itself as a crowdsourced “on-the-way” delivery platform that matches drivers with delivery gigs on routes they are already traveling or plan to travel. That sounds great on paper (or rather, on a screen), but how does it work in practice?
The Roadie app connects drivers with senders to make deliveries happen. Senders create delivery gigs that are sent as alerts to nearby Roadie app drivers. Drivers can look at the gigs and submit offers for those they find worthwhile, ideally those that align with their routes and schedule.
This is different from other package delivery services that require drivers to book a slot in advance, pick up shipments, and deliver as directed without any control over routes.
Roadie is primarily used for same-day, on-demand, or scheduled local deliveries. It is used by businesses as well as private individuals to send items. Brands such as Home Depot, Coca-Cola, AT&T, Verizon, Walmart, Best Buy, Delta Air Lines, Tractor Supply Co., and other recognizable names use Roadie to varying degrees for their first-mile and last-mile deliveries.
Launched in 2014, Roadie has seen growth in recent years, particularly during the pandemic. The company claims to have over 200,000 registered drivers and coverage in more than 20,000+ zip codes nationwide, reaching 90 percent of US households. During the last quarter of 2021, Roadie was acquired by UPS.
What are the requirements to be a Roadie driver?
Now that you know how the Roadie app works, let’s look at the requirements and process to become a driver on Roadie. Anyone can sign-up to become a verified Roadie driver as long as you:
- Have a vehicle with valid auto insurance;
- Are at least 18 years old;
- Have a Social Security number;
- Have a valid US driver’s license.
If you meet these criteria, you can fill out an online application on Roadie’s website or mobile app to become a Roadie driver.
Since Roadie is a parcel delivery service, it has various driver certifications to match drivers and their vehicles with the appropriate gigs. Available Roadie certifications include Trusted Driver, Cargo Trailer, Extra Equipped, and TSA Certification.
Each of these certifications has separate eligibility requirements based on the number of completed deliveries, vehicle type and size, extra equipment for loading and unloading, etc.
What are the responsibilities of a Roadie driver?
As a Roadie driver, when you are selected for a gig, you’re expected to pick up and deliver the shipment on time, have friendly communication with both the sender and the receiver when needed, and maintain a minimum four-star rating from senders for completed gigs.
How much do Roadie drivers make?
Roadie claims drivers can make an average of $15 per trip for local deliveries (with most gigs paying between $8 and $50) and up to $650 on long trips carrying oversized items.
But do these claims match reality? Not really, at least according to our 2021 earnings data collected from over 200,000 Gridwise drivers.
Roadie driver earnings per trip
The median earnings per Roadie trip ranged from $12.82 to $15.11 in 2021, which is lower than the advertised average earnings by ~$1.25 per trip. The shortfall looks even worse when you consider the fact that our data includes earnings from supposedly high-paying long trips as well.
Roadie driver earnings per hour
The median earnings per work hour, meanwhile, ranged from $13.93 to $17.49 in 2021, which is again on the lower side compared to Roadie’s competitors. In January 2022, the per-trip and per-hour median earnings were $13.87 and $15.52, respectively.
We recently published an in-depth article about drivers’ 2021 earnings across different services, including Roadie. According to our analysis, in 2021 Roadie drivers made less money than drivers for other package delivery services such as Amazon Flex and Curri.
It’s worth pointing out that Roadie does things a little differently from the other package delivery services. Curri deals with oversized construction items, while Amazon Flex doesn’t offer the kind of flexibility drivers enjoy on Roadie. Because of this, earnings on Roadie are not directly comparable to those from Amazon Flex or Curri.
Also, like all other platforms, earnings on Roadie are notoriously dependent on your location. For example, Roadie claims its drivers in Pittsburgh make on average $39 per hour, which is 2.6 times the national average.
Expenses for Roadie drivers
Roadie drivers have to cover all the fuel, maintenance, and other vehicle-related expenses. However, any toll and parking charges incurred while on an active delivery will be reimbursed by Roadie after verification of receipts.
How do Roadie drivers get paid?
Roadie pays weekly via direct deposit on Tuesdays. (Note: it may take one to three business days for the money to be available in your account.) Roadie drivers are automatically enrolled for weekly payouts unless they specifically opt for Instant Pay.
Instant Pay allows delivery and rideshare drivers to cash out instantly at any time. Roadie drivers qualify for Instant Pay when they complete at least five deliveries. Eligible drivers will see a message in the app telling them how to enable the feature.
Is being a Roadie driver worth it?
All of this analysis brings us to the most important question of this exercise: Is it worth driving for Roadie?
Yes – as long as you think of it as an on-the-way delivery service to either make some extra income or to recoup your gas and travel costs. Here’s what Gridwise recommends:
- The central idea behind Roadie is, why not make a few deliveries along travel routes to make some money? These gigs can bring down your operational costs for delivery and improve profitability.
- Roadie is better suited as an intermittent side hustle rather than a full-time income. If you are considering delivery jobs as a full-time occupation, then Roadie probably is not your best option. Other package delivery platforms offer better and more reliable pay.
- You can drive for Roadie in conjunction with your other jobs. The more travel your primary job involves, the higher the income you can make from Roadie. Since the platform offers a high degree of flexibility to drivers, you can likely do it alongside your primary job.
- Roadie doesn’t ask you to book a slot or mark yourself as online to get gig offers. It’s passive by design; you can choose to use it only when you find gigs that fit into your routes and schedule. There is no commitment or downside to registering as a Roadie driver.
- Roadie learns with use. Roadie says the app will become smarter and more personalized as you use it more. This should result in more gigs that match your preferences over time.
Make more money as a Roadie driver
You can improve your earnings on the app by following a few proven tips. These suggestions may not immediately increase your earnings, but they add up over time without demanding much from you.
- Choose your orders wisely by calculating your costs, including the opportunity cost of your time and efforts.
- Roadie supports and even encourages tipping drivers. Being punctual, proactive, and courteous can encourage customers to tip well and give higher ratings.
- Investing in tools such as a collapsible dolly, car mat, mileage tracker, etc. may not directly increase your earnings, but they can increase professionalism (and make your life a little easier).
- Roadie runs a driver bonus program and other promotions in select markets. Keep track of when they’re on and aim for the extra income when possible.
- Use our Gridwise driver assistant app to easily track your mileage and save thousands of dollars on tax deductions. Our free app also offers easy-to-understand insights into your earnings and performance across various platforms to help you make data-driven decisions about your earnings.
- Roadie collaborates with their partners to provide discounts and other benefits to their drivers, so keep an eye out for the ones that fir your business.
- Download our Gridwise app today for access to even more exclusive driver perks
