How to make money with your car or truck.
Your car, truck, or SUV doesn’t have to be just an expense. With some creativity and hustle, it can become a revenue-generating asset that offsets depreciation, fuel, insurance, and maintenance costs. Below are ways to monetize your vehicle, some of which are passive, some active, and others are side-gig friendly .
Why it makes sense to turn your vehicle into income
It is a great idea to try to make some money from your automobile. Vehicles tend to lose value over time (often around 15–25 % annually depending on make, age, and market). Meanwhile, they carry recurring costs: fuel, repairs, insurance, registration, taxes, parking, and more. If your car is sitting idle often, or you have spare capacity, turning that slack into cash helps ease the burden. There are many cons to ownership, but it can also be a great money-making asset, which is a benefit. The trick is choosing options that match your schedule, comfort with risk, and local demand. Some methods require minimal effort; others are full-on side businesses in which there may even be a free car provided for work . Let's explore more what works today.
Earn cash with your car from a side hustle or business
Sell ad space on your car:
Another smart way to make extra money with your car is to wrap it with some advertisements. This barely requires any effort. Simply place the ads on your car for a few weeks or months and you'll get paid for it. Two established platforms are Wrapify and Carvertise . Typical ranges for active campaigns are around $190-$450 per month depending on coverage and miles driven. See Carvertise at https://carvertise.com/drivers/ . (Wrapify publishes example ranges; Carvertise cites ~$100–$400+ per month). This type of money making opportunity can even be considered passive income , as you get paid each month for little or no work. You could even do it with a spare car that you rent out to make even more money. Those who enroll will need to show advertising on the exterior of their automobile. There may be signs, murals, or other adverts placed on your car. Learn more about Wrapify requirements to make money from your car .
Earn money taking kids to school:
Working parents need assistance in transporting kids to and from school, appointments, daycare or other locations. Use your car to start a child transportation service to transport kids from different places in a safely manner. HopSkipDrive is one company that offers this service as well as other money making opportunities for driving children. Parents and schools use vetted child-transport services in select cities. HopSkipDrive operates with specific safety requirements (for example, “Must Be Met” hand-off rules and a 15-point driver certification). Read requirements and safety policies and get more details here https://www.hopskipdrive.com/ to see if it fits your market and credentials. Mobile dog grooming or pet help . Your van or hatchback can be a traveling pet-care service. Many owners will also pay for pet transport add-ons (to the vet, groomer, or daycare). This is a local small-business play. You can set pricing, market to neighborhoods and vets, and bundle services. You can also charge additional fees for taking dogs to the vet, dog walking and purchasing pet food.
Grocery Delivery Service:
Grocery shopping is a weekly errand for nearly every household, and in a busy area, many people prefer to outsource it. Use your car to shop and deliver groceries to customers. Platforms such as Instacart ( https://shoppers.instacart.com/ ) and Shipt ( https://www.shipt.com/be-a-shopper ) remain active and
Amazon Flex
( https://flex.amazon.com/ ) allows drivers to deliver Amazon packages or groceries in reserved time blocks. You will need a reliable vehicle, a smartphone, and a willingness to accept some variability in demand. If you do this independent of the platforms, your potential customers can even be local seniors in retirement communities, busy professionals, parents and those who are homebound with medical issues. Become An Uber/Lyft Driver. One of the most recognized ways to make extra money is to drive for rideshare platforms like Uber or Lyft. You accept ride requests, pick up passengers, and drop them off while the app handles matching and payments. Pay depends heavily on location, demand, wait times, peak hours, and expenses. Even just doing a few hours in evenings or weekends can yield a useful side income. If Uber or Lyft are oversaturated or not ideal in your area, consider similar alternatives like Curb ( https://www.gocurb.com/ ), which connects riders to licensed taxi drivers, or Wingz ( https://www.wingz.me/ ) for scheduled airport rides. If you run a few rides at airports or high-traffic zones, you may find niche demand that outperforms general rideshare. But be sure to factor in your expenses, such as wear and tear on your car.
Taxi/Airport Services:
Many Uber and Lyft drivers just focus on airport rides. They just activate the app when they are by the airport or decline other rides. Or rather than relying purely on app platforms, you can launch your own taxi or airport shuttle service . This often requires special licenses, commercial insurance, and compliance with local regulations. Check your state and municipal rules for operating a taxi or shuttle service. You can provide specialized transportation service for seniors, passengers with disabilities and families with children who will appreciate extra toddler car seats. Advertise your service by contacting local hotels, airports, and in your community. But watch your expenses and stay organized when you work as an Uber or Lyft driver, as it can be challenging to make money from this. Luckily there are apps for gig workers to help them make money or budget.
Taking Seniors, Children or Homebound People to Appointments:
Turn your car into a money-making machine by taking seniors to medical appointments, even as a transit drive. The senior population is growing fast, and there will be a demand for senior transportation service since millions of Americans will be over 65. This will allow you to focus on more consistent demand niches: medical appointments, therapy, dialysis, or social visits. Especially in many regions,
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
(NEMT) is recognized under Medicaid and local health programs, creating potential steady income. To participate, you typically must be approved, insured, and follow state rules. The federal government has included transportation cost in Medicaid programs which opens opportunities for local senior transportation businesses and a chance to earn a reliable income from your vehicle, especially in rural or outlying suburban communities. A car and cell phone are needed to get started. Plus, you will be doing something meaningful by helping seniors to enjoy their independence. You may carry multiple clients or run regular routes. That said, volume and reimbursement rates vary by state. In rural areas with few alternatives, this can be especially valuable. ElderCare allows you to become a transit driver for elderly people. You could also simply offer your services via social media or sites like Craigslist. Learn more, or apply for these senior driving opportunities at Aging on Aging offices. Of course Lyft and Uber drivers can also drive seniors.
Rent Out Your Car or truck for quick cash:
Many people use their car once or twice a week and leave it sitting in their driveway for the rest of the time. If you don't need to use your car all the time, you can make some extra money from it by renting it out. If your car is underutilized, renting it out via a peer-to-peer platform can generate passive income. Turo continues to be a major player in this space ( https://turo.com/ ). Before listing, compare protection plans, mileage limits, and cleaning/damage policies. Getaround has been less stable but it can be another option to monetize an under utilized car. People might rent out your car for a few hours to commute to work or they might need it for a few days. Whichever way, you can advertise its availability and start making money with it. This is an especially good idea if you have a spare car.
Help people move:
If you have a truck, van, or large SUV, you can charge for small moving or hauling jobs. Platforms like GoShare ( https://goshare.co/drivers/ ) match drivers and helpers with clients who need furniture moved or heavy items transported. If you don’t own a truck, you can still register as a “helper” (just for loading/unloading) to get work without driving. You can also market locally via social media, Craigslist, or senior community boards.
Rent Out Your Driveway Space:
If you have plenty of space in your driveway or even a nice, secure garage, you might want to make extra money by renting it out. If you live in an area where parking is scarce, your driveway or garage can be money ready. Use platforms such as Spacer ( https://spacer.com/ ) to list unused parking space. Even though this doesn't use your vehicle itself, it converts a property asset into income while your car is elsewhere. This method doesn't involve using your car, but it does involve moving your car out of the way. Instead of using your driveway for your car, you can park your car on the road while you use your driveway for extra money.
Become A Car Blogger Or YouTuber:
One of the most creative ways to make money with your car is to use it to create content. If you enjoy writing, filming, or teaching, put your car to work by generating content. Many people search for “how to fix brake pads,” “car maintenance hacks,” or “best winter tires.” Start a blog or YouTube channel, create helpful guides, and monetize via ads, affiliate links, or sponsorships. Over time, this can become semi-passive income. People are always surfing online for ways to fix things or save money on car repairs. Additionally, you can offer auto repair service locally or remotely by providing detail instructions via email, video or phone. Learn more about how YouTube can help you make money .
Use your car to make money delivering packages, food or stuff
Amazon Flex:
Use your car to deliver goods for Amazon and make, depending on location and other factors, $18-$25 an hour. Amazon Flex allows you to build your own schedule and there are opportunities available seven days per week. It’s important to note that the $18–$25 figure is before expenses (fuel, wear & tear, insurance, etc.). Once you deduct those, your net may drop substantially.
Roadie:
An on-the-way delivery service that allows you to make money from the extra space in your vehicle by connecting people with items and drivers that are heading in the same direction. You will simply get matched with bundle gigs with similar pick-up and drop-off location. Drivers earn an average of $10 to $60 per local gig and up to $650 on long haul deliveries, or even look into a CDL . Contact your local DMV office for more information on CDL license (commercial truck driving) or other. Learn more on getting a free CDL license .
Grubhub:
Deliver customer's favorite food from their restaurants and earn competitive pay and keep 100% of your tips. Drivers must be at least 19 years or older with two years of driving experience and pass a background check. Bikers must have a valid state ID.
UberEATS:
- food delivery platform launched by Uber. Become a delivery partner earn money in your spare time from your car.
GoShare:
Become a GoShare and earn money from your pickup truck, cargo van or box truck. If you don’t own a truck, you can still apply to become a helper. You will see potential earnings per project before acceptance (you’ll know how much each job pays).
CitizenShipper:
- shipping marketplace that connects shipping customers with couriers who are traveling the same route. Become a CitizenShipper and deliver anything from pets to sailboats across the country using your car or truck. You can earn up to $800 per trip. However, actual earnings depend heavily on route, size, and load.
How to choose what works best for you
When deciding which paths to take when making money from your vehicle, consider the following. However always also keep in mind that scams are real, especially with wrap advertising and “guaranteed income” gigs. Legit offers do not ask for upfront payments. Your region and local demand – A dense urban area will favor ride-sharing or food delivery, whereas rural areas may lean toward hauling or rented drives. Your vehicle type – Compact cars are ideal for ride-share/delivery; vans and trucks open up moving and hauling gigs. Your schedule flexibility – Passive options let you earn without driving extra miles; active gigs demand more time. Your risk tolerance and maintenance budget – Every mile driven incurs depreciation and maintenance. Tracking expenses is critical. Log gas, maintenance, insurance, car washes, parking, etc. These reduce your actual profit. More miles means faster depreciation, tire replacement, and higher maintenance costs. Insurance & legal issues – Many personal auto policies exclude commercial use. Always verify whether your insurance and vehicle registration permit the activity. Platform costs and fees – Most apps or platforms take a share of earnings or charge service fees. Stay updated on platform changes. Apps sometimes change their pay models, commission structure, or deactivate accounts with limited warning.
Conclusion on making money from your car or truck
You have many routes to turn your vehicle into an income source. Some ideas are more passive (ad wraps, renting) and others are more active (delivery, transport services). When all is said and done, your net earnings, after the cost of fuel, maintenance, insurance, and downtime, are what matter.