DoorDash introduces cash to help drivers as Iran-US war drives up gas prices

With the ongoing war between Iran and the US causing gas prices to rise, DoorDash is taking steps to help its drivers in the US and Canada.

The company he announced Monday released a short-term program aimed at easing the financial burden on Dashers who rely on their cars to make deliveries.

DoorDash’s sponsorship program, which runs through April 26, offers weekly stipends to qualifying drivers. Dashers who drive at least 125 miles per week can receive payments starting at $5, translating into savings of $1 to $1.50 per gallon. This support can be especially important for urban and rural drivers who travel long distances.

Additionally, drivers who use DoorDash’s Crimson credit card will benefit from an additional 10% cash back on gas purchases, giving them potential savings of up to $1.90 per gallon.

Gasoline is one of the most harmful substances for motorists. Unlike traditional workers, gig workers are responsible for paying their own expenses, including gas, car maintenance, and insurance. A Human Rights Watch A May 2025 survey found that gig workers in Texas spend about $100 a week on fuel, or $2.76 for every hour they work. At the time of the survey, the price of gas in Texas was about $3 a gallon.

Now things have gotten worse. According to AAAThe national average for natural gas is now around $3.96 per gallon. This is up $1 from a month ago. In some areas, prices have reached nearly $4 per gallon.

As gas prices rise, the weekly fuel costs for drivers can jump dramatically without an increase in payments from the platforms they work with. At the same time, the demand for goods may change due to the rising cost of living, which means that drivers cannot always rely on many authorities to make ends meet. The result: Drivers are making less profit on deliveries while working the same or longer hours. For many, this turns gig work from a source of income into a financially unstable job, forcing some drivers to cut hours or quit altogether.

The gas rewards program reminds a the same program that DoorDash was launched in 2022 when gas prices rose after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That same year, Uber introduced fuel surcharges to help drivers, and Group increased pay for its drivers in the face of record high gas prices.

It’s unclear whether other delivery services will follow DoorDash’s lead this time.