Dothan, Ala. (WDNews) — Rising gas prices across Alabama are putting added financial pressure on local gig app delivery drivers across the Wiregrass, where many workers rely on daily driving to earn income.
According to AAA, Alabama gas prices have climbed to around $4 per gallon in recent days, with some stations in the Dothan area reporting even higher prices. For drivers working food delivery, rideshare, package delivery and courier apps, the increase is cutting into already thin profits.
Many local drivers report traveling between 100 and 150 miles a day across Dothan and surrounding communities including Enterprise, Ozark and Geneva. At current fuel prices, drivers can spend an estimated $16 to $24 or more per shift on gasoline alone, depending on vehicle size and mileage.
The average base pay for many local gig app delivery drivers is often around $2 per order. Drivers say when stacked or double orders are offered, the pay can sometimes drop to around $1 per order before tips.
Local pizza delivery drivers are also feeling the impact. Ben Bufurd, a Dothan resident of 45 years who has worked at a local pizza chain for the past six years, told WDNews that drivers at some local pizza chains average about 32 cents per mile.
“If a delivery driver drives 40 miles, that’s only $12.80 that they are paid,” Bufurd said. “With gas prices going up, more drivers at our business are struggling, and even third-party delivery drivers are declining more deliveries. The drivers are not making enough to even cover gas to be able to deliver.”
Another local gig delivery driver said many customers may not realize drivers are often unpaid for return trips after completing a delivery.
“Most people don’t realize it may be 13 miles, but that 13 miles is actually 26 miles because of the miles on the way back to our area,” the driver said. “Drivers that deliver don’t get paid for that drive back. I would do the delivery driving for my second job, but now I can’t.”
With a standard vehicle fill-up now costing between roughly $43 and $65 in the Dothan area, some drivers say low-paying trips are becoming harder to justify financially.
The impact is especially noticeable in the Wiregrass because of longer rural delivery routes between towns, combined with stop-and-go traffic, idling time and rising maintenance costs tied to heavy daily mileage.
As fuel costs continue rising, some local drivers are reportedly becoming more selective about accepting longer trips or lower-paying orders in an effort to reduce expenses and protect earnings.
