If you’re smart about when you accept rides, you can maximize surge prices and rake in a fair amount of cash. And, of course, it’s worse in larger cities. Rush hour, of course, is affected by when people get out of work and the distance of commute between work and home. This presents another challenge, however: Rush hour. If you’re lucky, some of these can even be surge times, particularly in the evenings.
It is true, however, that more drivers tend to be requested at the beginning and end of the traditional workday, especially in larger cities (think Boston, Chicago, LA, NYC, and others). There is truth to this, but multiple on-the-ground drivers report that these supposed peaks are based more on data than actual experience. Uber’s official statement about peak driving times indicates that peak times for driving are during the morning hours from 7-9am and in the evening from 4-7pm. (People from out of town are less likely to have the network and resources set up to easily get around, especially on their first day there.)Ī word of caution is in order here: Make sure you know the rules and requirements of your airport if you’re going to pick people up! Picking people up from the airport and driving them to whatever their destination is can also be lucrative, especially for those visiting your city. Some drivers even do this regularly with the same customers. Drivers can be scarce in the wee hours, so riders are usually willing to pay more for a ride if it means getting to the airport in time. This is an area where a lot of money can be made, especially if you’re willing to get up early. This would be another example of potential surge pricing, as who isn’t eager to get to the airport with enough time to get checked by the TSA? Rather than give their friends the opportunity to navigate the harried environment of a major international airport, many people - especially very frequent fliers – are relying on Uber for being whisked there and back. It’s important to remember that your tolerance level, stamina, and willingness to work in odd situations or hours will affect what qualifies as “best times” for you. Besides location, “best times” are also determined by the preference of the driver.ĭo you want to get up at 4 am? Then airport runs for business people might be perfect.Īre you a night owl who isn’t easily offended? Then do more bar runs.Īre you really good at maneuvering rush hour traffic? Then take rides during the early evening when everyone is getting off work. This is an important point that follows from the bar scene mentioned above. Some mornings are peak surge times as well, as are some early evenings (i.e., rush hour) or when people are headed to school and to work. The surge amount will be listed separately on your ride statement. Any cancellation fees, tolls, and surcharges are not affected by surge prices.
This is added atop the total trip fare (base + distance + time), plus any tolls that might be involved. The higher the multiplier, the greater the demand and the greater potential fare. Surge prices are calculated by a multiplied factor - say 1.5, 2.5, 3.6, etc. – the community of Uber drivers is sharply divided over the value and worth of spending hours carting people around. This, of course, is when lots of the bar crowd is either going to, coming from, or otherwise continuing an alcohol-fueled adventure.īe very certain that you can tolerate the antics and nonexistent inhibitions of inebriated individuals. These vary by city, but generally, watch for Friday and Saturday evenings from about 8 PM to 3 AM. These will be marked in your app and with some experience you will quickly learn your area and when the best time to drive is. Make sure you remember that a surge is determined by where the rider is requesting from, not where you are - so you will only get the higher fees if you respond to a request from a surge location. This is a factor in what Uber calls “ surge pricing ” - times of heavy request where fare prices are doubled, tripled, or even more.
The Uber Driver app does a great job of highlighting busy areas where you can earn more money! It’s not just a cliché - “the best time to drive with Uber” really does depend on where you’re driving. Helping People Start and End the Workday.