DoorDash tracks your mileage automatically through the app
Yes, DoorDash tracks the miles you drive while making deliveries. The app uses your phone's GPS to record your location in real time, and the company calculates the distance between pickup and dropoff points. This mileage data is stored in your DoorDash account and can be used for multiple purposes — some that benefit you, and some that don't.
The tracking happens whether you notice it or not. Every time you accept an order, start the delivery, and complete it, DoorDash is logging your route. You don't need to do anything to turn this on; it's built into how the app works.
Key Takeaways
- DoorDash uses your phone's GPS to track miles driven during active deliveries, and this data stays in your account history.
- You can view your own mileage totals in the app under the Earnings section, which is useful for tax deductions if you're an independent contractor.
- DoorDash uses mileage data to calculate delivery pay, detect fraud, and monitor driver behavior — not just to help you track expenses.
- The company does not share your raw location data with restaurants or customers, but they do use aggregated mileage patterns to optimize their delivery network.
- Mileage tracking continues even when you're not actively delivering if you have the app open and location services enabled.
Where to find your mileage history in the DoorDash app
Open the DoorDash Dasher app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Select Earnings, then look for a section labeled Mileage or Distance Traveled. The exact name varies slightly depending on your phone's operating system and which version of the app you have installed.
Your mileage total will show the cumulative distance tracked over a specific time period — usually the current week or month. Some versions of the app break this down by individual delivery, while others show only the total. If you don't see a dedicated mileage section, check under Trip History or Delivery Details, where individual delivery distances are sometimes listed.
This information is primarily there for your own reference. Many drivers use it to track tax deductions, since mileage is deductible for independent contractors. Keep in mind that DoorDash's mileage calculation may differ slightly from what your car's odometer shows, because the app measures the straight-line distance between points rather than the actual road route you took.
How DoorDash uses mileage data beyond showing it to you
DoorDash uses your mileage information for several internal purposes. The company factors distance into how much it pays you per delivery — longer trips typically earn more than short ones, though the exact formula is not public. The app also uses mileage patterns to detect unusual behavior, such as drivers who claim to have completed a delivery but the GPS data shows they never actually traveled to that location.
The company also analyzes mileage data across all drivers to understand traffic patterns, delivery density, and which areas are most efficient to serve. This helps DoorDash decide where to hire more drivers, which restaurants to partner with, and how to route orders. Individual drivers' location data is not sold to third parties, but aggregated patterns derived from thousands of drivers' movements are used to improve the service.
DoorDash's terms of service state that location data is collected to provide the service, prevent fraud, and improve operations. If you turn off location services on your phone, the app will not function properly — you won't be able to receive orders or complete deliveries.
What happens to your location data when you're not delivering
If you have the DoorDash Dasher app open and location services enabled on your phone, the app may continue to track your location even when you're not actively on a delivery. This depends on your phone's settings and how you've configured the app's permissions. Some phones allow apps to access location only while the app is in use, while others allow background location access.
To limit tracking when you're not working, go to your phone's settings and find the DoorDash app's location permissions. On iPhone, open Settings > Privacy > Location Services, find DoorDash, and change it from Always to While Using the App. On Android, open Settings > Apps > DoorDash > Permissions > Location, and select Only while using the app.
Even with these changes, DoorDash will still track your mileage during active deliveries, since the app needs real-time location to function. But you'll prevent the app from logging your location when you're not working.
Accuracy issues with DoorDash's mileage calculations
DoorDash's mileage numbers are often lower than what drivers actually drive. The app calculates distance as the straight line between the restaurant and the customer's address, but you don't drive in a straight line — you follow roads, hit traffic lights, and sometimes take detours. Your actual odometer will almost always show more miles than DoorDash reports.
This matters for tax purposes. If you're using DoorDash's mileage figure to claim deductions, you may be underreporting your actual expenses. The IRS allows you to deduct actual mileage or use the standard mileage rate, and using the actual miles your car traveled is often more valuable. Keep your own records by taking screenshots of your odometer at the start and end of your shift, or use a mileage tracking app that records your actual route.
DoorDash does not adjust its mileage calculations to match real-world driving, so the discrepancy is built into the system. This is one reason many drivers use third-party mileage tracking apps alongside DoorDash's built-in tracker.
Privacy considerations and what DoorDash shares
DoorDash does not share your individual location data with restaurants or customers. When you pick up an order, the restaurant sees only that a driver has arrived; they don't see your real-time GPS coordinates or your home address. Customers see a general map showing your location during delivery, but not your precise coordinates or your starting point.
However, DoorDash does share aggregated location and mileage data with business partners and uses it for analytics. The company's privacy policy states that location information may be shared with third parties for fraud prevention, legal compliance, and business operations. This means your data could be used in ways beyond just running the delivery service.
If you want to minimize location tracking, you can disable background location access as described in the previous section. You can also contact DoorDash support to ask what specific data they hold about you, though the company is not required to delete historical mileage records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off mileage tracking while I'm delivering?
No. Mileage tracking is essential to how DoorDash's app works — it's how the company verifies you actually completed a delivery and calculates your pay. Disabling location services will prevent the app from functioning. You can only control whether the app tracks you when you're not actively working.
Does DoorDash share my mileage data with the IRS or tax authorities?
DoorDash does not automatically report your mileage to the IRS. However, the company does report your earnings on a 1099 form if you earned over $600 in a year. You are responsible for tracking and reporting your mileage deductions yourself on your tax return.
Why does DoorDash's mileage always seem lower than my odometer?
DoorDash calculates the straight-line distance between pickup and dropoff, not the actual road distance you drove. Real driving involves turns, traffic, and detours that add miles. For tax deductions, use your actual odometer reading or a mileage app that tracks your real route.
Can I see which specific deliveries I completed on a certain date?
Yes. In the DoorDash Dasher app, go to Earnings and then Trip History or Delivery Details. You can filter by date and see each delivery's distance, time, and pay. This is useful for matching your records to your actual mileage log.
What if DoorDash's mileage tracking is wrong and I get paid less?
Contact DoorDash support through the app and explain the issue. However, the company's mileage calculation is built into their pay formula, and they are unlikely to adjust individual payments based on discrepancies. Your best option is to keep your own mileage records for tax purposes and use actual miles for deductions rather than relying on DoorDash's numbers.