7 Legit Ways to Run Errands for Money [2024 Update]

We all seem to be increasingly busy these days. When life gets hectic, responsibilities may get forgotten and become more challenging.

This presents a perfect opportunity to run errands for money if you’re short on cash or want to supplement your income.

There has been significant growth in the on-demand delivery space. As a contractor, you can use apps to find errand-runner jobs and make money with your car.

If you’re looking for fast ways to make money, delivery apps are an excellent solution. Most platforms pay weekly, allow you to earn tips, and let you create your schedule.

Legit Ways to Run Errands for Money

Are you looking for ways to get paid to drive? Here are seven of the best platforms to run errands for other people.

1. DoorDash

While DoorDash is similar to Postmates, it operates strictly as a food delivery service app. DoorDash is available in most cities across the country.

Errand runners, known as Dashers, pick up restaurant meals and deliver them to customers. If you ordered a takeout meal in the last few months, it likely was delivered by DoorDash.

Depending on where you live, you have multiple ways to deliver meals. These can include anything from your automobile to your bicycle.

DoorDash Pay

The app sets a base rate of at least $2 per order, though it can be more in certain circumstances. You also receive tips. Like Postmates, you keep 100 percent of what you earn.

DoorDash driver compensation varies depending on factors like tips and items delivered. This makes it one of the best driving apps to work for.

Payouts are sent to Dashers weekly. You do have an instant cash-out option if needed, for a minor fee.

DoorDash Requirements

• You must be at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license
• Must have valid insurance
• Dashers must own an iPhone or Android-based phone
• Pass a criminal record check
• You must have a government-issued ID
• Pass a DMV check if driving a car or motorcycle

Learn more: Read our Doordash driver review to learn more about delivering for the service

2. Instacart Shopper

Grocery shopping is something we all must do. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to find the time to do it. With Instacart Shopper, you can manage this errand for customers and make good money in the process.

You can be a full-service shopper for Instacart as a contractor role that also delivers groceries. We’ll cover the full-service role as we discuss ways to run errands for money.

When you work for this errands app, you select shops from the app, purchase the groceries, and deliver them to customers.

If an item is not available at the store, you can communicate with the customer through the app to select a suitable replacement.

The service is available in most cities across the country and is a terrific way to make money on the weekends if you need to supplement your income.

Instacart Shopper Pay

You earn a commission for every order you complete. This commission can decrease or increase depending on the size of the order. You also receive tips.

Shoppers report earning up to $20 an hour working for the app. Instacart also pays shoppers weekly, with the possibility to access earnings quicker for a small fee.

Instacart Shopper Requirements

• Must be 18 years or older
• Valid driver’s license and insurance
• Must pass a background check
• Have a current smartphone
• Access to a vehicle
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds

Learn more: Read our guide on how to become an Instacart Shopper

3. Shipt Shopper

Shipt Shopper works similarly to Instacart Shopper. Contractors use the Shipt app to select orders, purchase groceries, and deliver them to customers.

Target owns the service, but it’s not as widely available as Instacart. While Instacart is available in about 6,000 cities, Shipt is in roughly 5,000 cities.

The service is growing and providing an increasing number of opportunities to run errands for money.

One thing that makes Shipt Shopper unique is that the platform recommends the nearest store. This helps you save time and increases your earning potential.

You can read our review of Instacart Shopper vs. Shipt Shopper to learn more about how they differ.

Shipt Shopper Pay

The platform pays a base amount of $5 for every order in addition to 7.50 percent of the total shopping bill. For example, you’ll receive $8.75 if the total bill is $50. You also earn tips on each order.

According to the Shipt Shopper site, shoppers earn up to $20 per hour. That increases to $22 per hour after you complete 100 shops.

Similar to other driving jobs, payment is distributed weekly.

Shipt Shopper Requirements

• You must be 18 years or older
• Valid driver’s license and insurance
• Must pass a background check
• Have a current smartphone
• Access to a vehicle
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds

Learn more: Read our review on how to become a Shipt Shopper

4. Postmates

Postmates is an increasingly popular option for delivery driver jobs. The service is available nationwide. It allows those using the Fleet app to pick up a variety of items for people.

As a Postmate, you can deliver any of the following things:

• Meals from restaurants
• Groceries
• Alcohol
• Prescription medication
• Dry cleaning
• Office supplies

There is no shortage of tasks you can do for customers. If you don’t have a car, you can deliver via motorcycle or scooter.

Postmates Pay

Postmates pays contractors a base rate. This includes payment for the time you wait at the given location to pick up items, drive time, and your timeliness.

You also keep 100 percent of the tips you make.

*Related: Are you looking for legitimate ways to get paid today? Read our guide on same day pay gigs that let you make money ASAP.

Drivers indicate you can earn up to $20 an hour delivering items through the Postmates Fleet app. You receive payment weekly.

You can also request an instant cash out if you need funds immediately.

Read our review of the top jobs that pay $20 an hour that have no degree requirements to identify other options to make money.

Postmates Requirements

• You must be 18 years or older
• Have a valid driver’s license and auto insurance
• Must pass a background check
• Have a current smartphone
• Pass a DMV check if driving a car or motorcycle

Learn more: Read our driving for Postmates review

5. Taskrabbit

Taskrabbit is one of the more unique services to run errands for money. You can pick up and deliver virtually anything for customers.

This includes items ranging from a cup of coffee from Starbucks to a restaurant meal.

*Related: Want more a more in-depth review of some of these services? Read our Postmates vs. DoorDash guide to see which is better for drivers.*

Taskers don’t just make money driving. They can do any type of odd job, including:

• Mounting a TV
• Being an errand runner
• Yardwork
• Tiling a bathroom
• Helping someone move

There is no limit to what you can do as a Tasker. If you want the ability to control the type of work you do, the platform can be an excellent way to make extra money.

Taskrabbit Pay

Unlike other apps that pay you to run errands, Taskrabbit allows you to determine your own rates. You can expect rates to vary depending on where you live and the services you offer.

Glassdoor reports earnings between $10 to $50+ per hour.

You don’t need to handle cash with customers since the side job app manages all payments.

Pay is distributed weekly. You keep 100 percent of your earnings and tips.

Taskrabbit Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Consent to an ID check
• Have an active checking account
• Have a newer smartphone
• Provide a valid U.S. social security number
• Pay a one-time, non-refundable $25 activation fee (in select cities)
• Submit a business license confirming you are a sole proprietor (only in California)

Learn more: Read our review of jobs you can do on Taskrabbit to see what you can do.

6. Eaze

If you live in California, you can deliver for Eaze. You won’t work directly for Eaze, but you will work with local dispensaries to deliver cannabis-based products to customers.

Hours are limited when driving for Eaze. Deliveries generally occur between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. You only work with licensed retailers.

Eaze Pay

When you start driving with this delivery app, you can expect to earn between $18 and $26 per hour. Payouts are sent weekly.

Pay includes tips and mileage reimbursements.

Eaze Requirements

• Must be at least 21 years old
• Have a vehicle that’s a 2005 model or newer
• Must have a valid driver’s license and auto insurance
• Must pass a background check

Learn more: N/A

7. Make Deliveries for Local Businesses

The growing on-demand space has led to local businesses offering delivery services to customers. This allows contractors to make $1,000 fast delivering products to people who do not want to run errands.

Opportunities depend on what’s available in your area, but can include any of the following types of stores:

• Home improvement stores
• Local grocery stores
• Drug stores
• Liquor stores, through the Drizly app
• Office supply stores

If you want to run errands for cash, inquire at your local stores to learn about available positions.

Local Businesses Pay

Pay depends on the store. It’s also possible you will need to be an employee and not a contractor. This might impact pay.

*Related: Looking for other courier gigs? Read our jobs like Amazon Flex near me to identify additional opportunities.*

As with most delivery jobs, it’s fair to anticipate receiving tips.

Local Businesses Requirements

Requirements will depend on each specific store. However, you should expect needing to meet the following requirements:

• You must be 18 years or older
• Valid driver’s license and insurance
• Must pass a background check
• Have a current smartphone
• Access to a vehicle, or ability to drive a company-owned vehicle
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds

Learn more: N/A

FAQs

Are you interested in delivery app gigs? Here are some common questions people have before running errands for money.

Can I work for multiple on-demand apps?

It’s possible to work for several delivery apps at once. You may want to try this when you are just starting to deliver items. This way you can see which option is best for you and pays the most.

However, this will also increase your auto insurance costs but there is a way to reduce that expense.

The Zebra offers a terrific opportunity to reduce those costs. The service lets you compare several dozen insurers to find the lowest-priced options.

Do I have to pay taxes on my earnings?

In most situations, you are considered a contractor when you work for a delivery service. This means the company will not deduct taxes from your pay.

It’s best to speak with a tax advisor to determine how much you should hold back for taxes.

Do I need experience?

Typically, no experience is required to run errands for people. You just need a willingness to work and provide quality customer service.

It’s also a good opportunity to supplement income from your day job, such as if you’re a teacher. Read our guide on the top summer jobs for teachers to identify similar opportunities.

Can I deliver items on foot?

Some delivery apps, like DoorDash, allow contractors to deliver products by foot. It depends on the service you work for and the local laws where you live.

Keep in mind that weather and the inability to carry large items long distances will impact your earning ability.

Summary

Life is busy for most people. If you have spare time on your hands and need to increase your income, running errands for money is an awesome option.

Most delivery services have minimal requirements and offer the chance to earn up to $20 per hour. That can go a long way to help make ends meet or achieve your financial goals.

What are some other ways you like to make money on the side?

*Earning more on certain types of orders (ex. alcohol): Earn more per order as compared to restaurant orders. Actual earnings may differ and depend on factors like number of deliveries you accept and complete, time of day, location, and any costs. Hourly pay is calculated using average Dasher payouts while on a delivery (from the time you accept an order until the time you drop it off) over a 90 day period and includes compensation from tips, peak pay, and other incentives.

*Get paid instantly (DasherDirect): Subject to approval

*Cash out daily (Fast Pay): Fees apply

*Start Dashing today: Subject to background check and availability

*Dash anytime: Subject to availability