DoorDash introduces relief payments for drivers as the Iran-US war drives up gas prices

With the ongoing Iran-U.S. war contributing to a significant spike in gas prices, DoorDash is stepping in to support its drivers in the U.S. and Canada. 

The company announced on Monday the rollout of a temporary program aimed at easing the financial burden on Dashers who rely on their vehicles for deliveries. 

DoorDash’s relief program, which runs through April 26, offers weekly payments to eligible drivers. Dashers who drive at least 125 miles per week can receive payments starting at $5, translating to estimated savings of $1 to $1.50 per gallon. The support could be especially meaningful for drivers in suburban and rural areas who travel longer distances.

Additionally, drivers who utilize DoorDash’s Crimson debit card will benefit from an extra 10% cash back on gas purchases, offering them potential savings of up to $1.90 per gallon. 

Gasoline is one of the largest expenses for delivery drivers. Unlike traditional employees, gig workers are responsible for covering their own costs, including fuel, vehicle maintenance, and insurance. A Human Rights Watch survey from May 2025 found that gig workers in Texas spent an average of $100 per week on fuel, or $2.76 for each hour worked. At the time of the survey, the price of gas in Texas was about $3 per gallon.

Now the situation is even more dire. According to AAA, the national average for regular gas is now just under $3.96 per gallon. That’s over $1 higher than it was a month ago. In some areas, prices have even reached around $4 per gallon. 

As gas prices climb, the weekly fuel cost for drivers can jump dramatically without any increase in pay rates from the platforms they work for. At the same time, demand for deliveries may fluctuate due to higher overall living costs, meaning drivers can’t always rely on more orders to offset expenses. The result: Drivers are earning less profit per delivery while working the same or even longer hours. For many, this turns gig work from a flexible income source into a financially unsustainable job, forcing some drivers to reduce hours or leave the industry altogether. 

The gas rewards program is reminiscent of a similar program that DoorDash implemented in 2022 when gas prices surged following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That same year, Uber introduced a fuel surcharge to support drivers, and Grubhub increased pay for its drivers in the face of record-high gas prices.

It remains uncertain if other delivery services will follow DoorDash’s lead this time around.