Mileage Deduction Calculator
Every business mile you track lowers your taxes. See how much your miles are worth.
Results update as you type. Last updated October 2026.
What the mileage deduction is
When you drive for DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart, Lyft or any other app, the miles you drive while working are business miles. The IRS lets you subtract a set amount for each one from your gig income before tax is figured. For 2026, the standard business mileage rate is 72.5 cents per mile.
Because it lowers your profit, the deduction reduces both your income tax and your 15.3% self-employment tax. That's why the savings per mile are bigger than most people expect.
Which miles count
- Driving to a restaurant or store to pick up an order.
- Driving to the customer.
- Driving between orders while you are logged in and waiting for the next one.
- The drive back toward a busy area after a far-away delivery, while you're still working.
Commuting from home to the first pickup can be a gray area. Many drivers start their tracking app as soon as they go online. When in doubt, ask a tax professional.
Keep a log
The IRS can ask for proof. A mileage log should show the date, miles driven and the business purpose. Free tracking apps or a simple notebook both work. The mileage the delivery app reports is usually much lower than what you really drove, because it often counts only the miles while carrying an order.
Standard rate vs. actual expenses
Instead of the standard rate, you can deduct the business share of your real car costs (gas, insurance, repairs, depreciation). Most gig drivers come out ahead with the standard rate, and it is much simpler to track. Compare your real costs with the cost per mile calculator.