🚗 How to Make More Money Using Instacart + DoorDash (Dual App Strategy)
If you’re doing delivery apps like Instacart, DoorDash, or Grubhub, you’ve probably noticed one thing:
👉 You spend a lot of time waiting.
Waiting for orders.
Waiting in stores.
Waiting between deliveries.
That downtime is where most people lose money.
But there’s a smarter way to run these apps — a dual-app strategy that can help you stay moving and increase your earnings per hour.
💡 What Is the Instacart + DoorDash Strategy?
This strategy is simple:
👉 Combine grocery shopping and food delivery in a way that reduces downtime.
Here’s the concept:
- One person shops an Instacart order
- The driver takes a quick food delivery order
- The driver returns, picks up the Instacart order
- Both orders get delivered efficiently
Then repeat.
👉 The goal is to keep the car moving at all times and avoid idle time.
⚠️ IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
Before doing this, you need to understand:
- Each platform (Instacart, DoorDash, Grubhub) has terms of service
- You should NOT:
- Share accounts improperly
- Misrepresent who is completing orders
- Always follow app guidelines to avoid deactivation
👉 A safer version is:
- One person runs Instacart
- One person runs DoorDash
- You work together as a team
🔥 Step-by-Step: How to Run This Strategy
1. Start With a Good Instacart Order
Look for:
- $25+ payouts
- Low item count (10–30 items)
- Stores that are easy to shop
👉 Avoid large, slow orders
2. Split Roles
- Shopper: Goes inside and starts shopping
- Driver: Stays in the car and turns on DoorDash/Grubhub
3. Accept a Quick Food Order
The driver should look for:
- $6–$12 orders
- Short distance (1–3 miles)
- Fast restaurants
👉 The goal is speed, not size
4. Time It Right
While the shopper is:
- Picking items
- Checking out
The driver:
- Picks up food
- Delivers it
👉 By the time the driver returns, the Instacart order should be ready
5. Complete the Instacart Delivery
- Load groceries
- Deliver the order
- Reset and repeat
💰 How Much Can You Make?
Using one app:
- $15–$20/hour (average)
Using this strategy:
- $20–$35/hour (possible with good timing)
👉 The difference comes from eliminating downtime
🧠 Pro Tips to Maximize Profit
✅ Stick to Familiar Stores
Speed matters — the faster the shop, the more money you make.
✅ Avoid Long Wait Restaurants
If food isn’t ready fast, it kills your timing.
✅ Communicate Constantly
The shopper and driver need to stay in sync.
✅ Track Busy Hours
Best times:
- Lunch (11 AM – 2 PM)
- Dinner (5 PM – 9 PM)
🚫 What NOT to Do
- Don’t accept large Instacart orders (too slow)
- Don’t take long-distance DoorDash orders
- Don’t try to run everything solo (this strategy works best with 2 people)
📊 Is This Strategy Worth It?
Yes — if done correctly.
This method is best for:
- Couples
- Friends
- Family members
👉 Anyone who wants to turn delivery apps into a team-based income system
How Much You Can Potentially Make
From personal experience using Instacart and DoorDash together:
- $20–$35/hour is very realistic
- $150–$300/day is common with consistency
- $1,500–$2,000/week is achievable
👉 And in strong markets, with long hours and good timing:
- $2,000–$2,500/week is possible
⚠️ Keep It Real
Hitting higher numbers like $2,000+ per week depends on:
- Working peak hours consistently
- Choosing the right orders
- Having a reliable system with your partner
- Being in a busy area
👉 This is NOT passive — this is active hustle.
🚀 Why This Makes a Difference
Most drivers:
- Use one app
- Wait between orders
- Stay stuck at average pay
With this strategy:
- You reduce downtime
- You increase active earning time
- You give yourself more chances to make money every hour
👉 That’s how you go from average earnings to high-performing weeks.
💯 Simple Truth
👉 The harder and smarter you go with this system, the more you can make.
If you stay consistent, learn your timing, and treat it like a system — not just random orders…
👉 $1,500–$2,500 weeks become realistic.
🚀 Final Thoughts
Most delivery drivers only use one app at a time.
That’s why they stay stuck making average money.
If you want to increase your earnings, you need to think differently.
👉 The Instacart + DoorDash strategy is about:
- Working smarter
- Staying active
- Maximizing every hour
❓ FAQ (BOOSTS SEO)
Can you use Instacart and DoorDash at the same time?
Yes, but you must follow each app’s rules and avoid violating terms.
Is this strategy allowed?
Working with another person is fine, but sharing accounts improperly is not.
What’s the best app combination?
Instacart + DoorDash is the most common, but Grubhub can also work.
Do you need two people?
It’s possible solo, but much more effective with two people.