Make Money While You Drive With These Flexible Side Gigs
January 24, 2025
9 min read
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from years of diving into smart money moves, it’s this: sometimes your biggest money-making tool is already sitting in your driveway. Whether it’s turning your car into a side hustle hero or finding ways to save on the go, I’ve seen firsthand how a little creativity can go a long way.
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Here are some practical (and fun) ways to make extra cash with your car—because who doesn’t love a little extra income?
8 Ways You Can Turn Your Car Into a Money-Making Machine
If your car is just sitting in your driveway, it might be time to put it to work! Whether you’re looking to earn some extra cash on the side or turn your vehicle into a full-time moneymaker, there are plenty of ways to make it happen.
From delivering groceries to offering rideshare services, your car can become a steady source of income—and the best part? Many of these opportunities offer flexible hours and competitive pay, so you can fit them right into your busy schedule.
Whether you’re trying to save for something big or just cover your gas money, these side gigs are a smart way to use what you already have to reach your financial goals. Let’s dive into some of the best ways to make your car work for you!
1. Share Your Car
I had a car that used to just sit idle during the week while I worked from home. Then I discovered car-sharing platforms like Turo and Getaround, and I thought, why not let it earn its keep?
Listing your car is surprisingly easy, and you can control the rental days and rates. A friend of mine earned enough renting out her car to cover her monthly payment—and the insurance coverage through these platforms gave her peace of mind. If you’ve got a car collecting dust, this is an easy win.
Here are some of the other top car-sharing services you can trust:
With Getaround, users can earn up to $10,000 yearly by sharing their car or around $800 monthly. Additionally, the platform provides insurance for all vehicles worth up to $1 million each.
2. Advertise on Your Car
Imagine earning money just by doing what you already do—driving! I tried this with Carvertise a while back, and I was amazed at how simple it was. They wrapped my car with a removable ad, and I got paid for my usual errands.
The trick is to work with legit companies like Wrapify or Nickelytics and stick to your regular routes in high-traffic areas. Just watch out for scams—never pay upfront to participate.
Make money by advertising on your car with these companies:
While advertising on your car may look and sound easy, it is crucial to be aware of the potential scams that can come from it. If a company offers to pay you for advertising on your car, make sure that the offer is legitimate and that any payment promised is in writing. Be wary of companies asking for a large sum, as this could be a sign of a scam.
3. Try Carpooling
Carpooling is an easy way to earn extra money while saving gas and reducing your carbon footprint. The premise is you give other people rides using your car in return for payment.
Along with other modes of transportation like buses and trains, carpooling is being looked to as a way to reduce road congestion. These four cities are willing to give you money to alleviate traffic and congestion through carpooling:
Many incentive programs exist to help find people who share your route. If that doesn't work, there are a few other ways to connect with potential passengers, such as RideJoy, CarpoolWorld, Zimride, Carticipate, and eRideShare.
4. Check Out Lyft
Looking for a way to make some extra money? Why not consider driving with Lyft? With flexible hours, it's no wonder why so many people are signing up to be drivers. If you're interested in making money with ridesharing, demand is currently high and continuing to grow.
To be eligible, you must:
- be 21 years of age or older
- have one year of driving experience
- must pass a background check
- possess a car in the 2007 model year or later
We spoke with a Lyft driver who has been driving full-time for over a year. He earns $750 per week as a driver and can work whenever he wants—whether during the day, at night, or on weekends. If you wish to earn money on your desired schedule, becoming a Lyft driver may be perfect for you!
5. Test Drive Cars
This is one of those gigs that sounds too good to be true—but it’s real! Car companies will pay you to test drive their newest models and give feedback. It’s like a free VIP pass to drive cool cars.
Last summer, I signed up for a test drive program just for fun, and not only did I get paid, but I also got to spend a weekend in a shiny new ride. If you’re a car enthusiast like me, this one’s a no-brainer.
6. Rent Out Your Unused RV
If you’re lucky enough to own an RV, why let it sit around between road trips? A few years ago, I rented out my cousin’s RV for a weekend getaway, and she made enough from that one trip to cover two months of storage fees.
Platforms like Outdoorsy make it easy to rent your RV to people looking for adventure. Just make sure you’re on top of maintenance to keep it in great condition.
7. Be a Mobile Mechanic
If you're passionate about cars and love working with your hands, then a career as a mechanic may be perfect for you! You can be your boss with a flexible schedule as an auto mechanic just by finding the right place to start.
YourMechanic offers unique opportunities for anyone interested in pursuing a career in automotive service. They provide comprehensive training so that you can become the best mechanic possible.
You get to set your hours and work as many or few days, evenings, or weekends as you want through the YourMechanic app. The company schedules service calls for you within your availability, and all you have to do is show up when a customer needs you. The maintenance you'll be doing will be relatively simple and routine, with nothing too challenging like engine overhauls.
You'll be paid anywhere from $40 to $50 an hour as a contractor, and you will need to provide your transportation. If you want something that requires less hands-on work, the company also has positions available where you can work from home.
Once you fill out the online application, a service advisor will call you to set up a phone interview. After that, choose your preferred hours, and you can start working!
Explore New Income Opportunities with Your Car
Your car can open doors to unique ways of earning that you might not have considered:
1. Become a Mobile Notary
If you’re a certified notary or willing to become one, offering mobile notary services is a great way to use your car for work. Clients often pay a premium for the convenience of having you come to them, especially for real estate closings or legal documents.
2. Start a Mobile Pet Taxi Service
Busy pet owners often need help getting their furry friends to vet appointments, groomers, or doggie daycare. Turning your car into a pet taxi service can be both fun and profitable.
3. Offer Airport Pickup and Drop-Off Services
Freelancing as an independent airport driver is a great way to earn extra cash, especially during peak travel seasons. Many travelers prefer personalized service over rideshare apps.
Specialized Services That Put Your Car to Work
Here are some creative ways to use your car for niche services:
1. Launch a Mobile Boutique
Transform your car into a traveling pop-up shop for jewelry, clothing, or handmade goods. Parking at events or markets can bring in customers and make your business mobile.
2. Offer Seasonal Delivery Services
During holidays, businesses like florists or bakeries often need extra hands to deliver gifts or treats. I once helped a local florist during Valentine’s Day—it was a short-term hustle, but it paid really well.
3. Set Up a Snack Delivery Service for Offices
Stock up on popular snacks and drinks, then deliver them to local office buildings. Employees love the convenience, and you can strike up regular delivery contracts with businesses.
Turn Your Car into a Community Asset
Using your vehicle to serve your community can be rewarding in more ways than one:
1. Provide Disaster Relief Transport
If you live in an area prone to natural disasters, volunteer organizations often pay drivers to transport supplies or help with evacuations. It’s a meaningful way to make money while giving back.
2. Deliver Educational Supplies to Schools
Partner with local schools or nonprofits to deliver books, supplies, or food to under-resourced communities. Some programs offer stipends or grants for this work.
3. Start a Mobile Library or Book Exchange
I’ve seen people turn their cars into small libraries on wheels, bringing books to neighborhoods that don’t have easy access. You could even charge a small fee or accept donations for this service.
Eco-Friendly Income Ideas for Your Car
If sustainability is your thing, these gigs align with eco-conscious values while helping you earn:
1. Offer Recycling Pickups
Not everyone has access to proper recycling programs. Start a local service to pick up recyclables and take them to the right facilities for a small fee.
2. Deliver Farm-to-Table Produce
Partner with local farmers or co-ops to deliver fresh produce to customers in your area. It’s a great way to support local agriculture while earning extra cash.
3. Host an EV Charging Station
If you have an electric vehicle and live in an area with limited charging options, consider renting out your EV charging station to others through platforms like PlugShare.
Your Car, Your Financial Ally
Your car isn’t just a vehicle—it’s an opportunity waiting to be tapped. Whether you’re sharing it, delivering with it, or even renting it out, your car can be a powerful tool to help you reach your financial goals.
From my own experience, the key is finding the right fit for your lifestyle and putting in a little effort to get started. With so many options out there, the road to extra income isn’t just possible—it’s closer than you think. So, why not let your car pull double duty? Your next money-making adventure could be right in your driveway.
