TOLEDO, Ohio — Gas prices continue to go up across the country. As of Wednesday, the average price in Toledo has gone up more than 45 cents per gallon in the last week.
Those prices are starting to impact delivery drivers.
Michael Suleski has been driving for DoorDash for about a year now. He has never paid this much for gas while delivering and he is starting to get creative with his trips.
“I mean it cuts into my profits yes, with gas and everything. But I have a Sam’s club membership I have a Costco membership. I’ll try to make a goal each night, a personal goal. If I spend $20 on gas, I need to make $60 tonight I need to make the $20 back and I need to make the $40 profit” said Suleski.
According to AAA the national average for a gallon of gas is $4.06, which is nearly $1.30 more than it was this time last year.
Suleski said he will still drive for DoorDash, mainly because food delivery apps allow their drivers to see how much money they’ll make on a delivery and decide whether or not it is worth it.
However, ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft require drivers to often rely on tips, whereas for delivery apps like DoorDash, the tip is shown before the driver gets the delivery.
Regardless, drivers are having to get creative with saving money and deciding which deliveries are worth it
"I think that there are drivers out there who are going to quit. I mean, when one quits another one signs up, so I don’t necessarily think that it’s really going to affect me that much. But I just hope that people generously tip” said Suleski.