How Much Should You Tip a Delivery Driver?
Tipping a delivery driver is not just about the food. It reflects the time, distance, and effort required to bring the order to your door.
Unlike restaurant service, delivery involves personal vehicles, fuel costs, and unpredictable conditions. A flat percentage does not always tell the full story.
This article explains how much to tip a delivery driver based on distance, order size, and delivery conditions so your tip matches the work involved.
Standard Delivery Tipping Guidelines
💰 Standard Delivery Tips:
$2-5
10-20%
Factors That Affect Delivery Tips
Delivery effort varies, which is why tips often need adjustment.
Distance and Difficulty
Longer distances, difficult parking, or apartment building deliveries deserve higher tips.
Tip more for: Long distances, stairs, difficult parking, gated communities
Weather Conditions
Tip extra for: Rain, snow, extreme heat, storms, or hazardous conditions
Order Size and Complexity
Tip more for: Large orders, multiple bags, special instructions, or fragile items
Different Delivery Services
Who delivers your food also affects how tipping works.
🍕 Restaurant Direct Delivery
• Usually restaurant employees
• May receive hourly wages
• Standard 15-20% tip
• $3-5 minimum regardless of order size
📱 App-Based Delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats)
• Independent contractors
• Pay for their own gas and vehicle costs
• 18-25% tip recommended
• $5 minimum for any delivery
Group Order Considerations
Group delivery orders usually take more time and coordination than single meals. Drivers may wait longer at the restaurant, carry multiple bags, and handle larger or more complex drop-offs.
When one person places the order for everyone, the tip should reflect the full delivery effort, not just an individual portion of the bill. Splitting the tip across the group often makes sense, especially for large or heavy orders.
Accounting for the total work involved helps keep tipping fair and avoids underestimating the effort behind group deliveries.
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Editor’s Take
"When tipping a delivery driver, I also look at how the delivery went. Was it on time, was the food warm, and what was the overall vibe. If everything is good, I give a little more. If not, I give a little less." - Martynas Baniulis
Final Words
Delivery tipping works best when effort is considered, not just price. Distance, weather, and order size often matter more than the subtotal alone.
Use percentages as a baseline, then adjust for difficulty. A small extra amount can make a meaningful difference to the driver.
Fair tips keep delivery reliable, respectful, and sustainable for the people doing the work.
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Tip Delivery Drivers Fairly
Split delivery costs and tips fairly among your group using Bill Split Pro. Include delivery fees and tips for accurate splitting.