Why is DoorDash so slow

Many delivery riders working at DoorDash note that the platform has slowed down. This is evidenced by the fact that in many US cities, and especially in a number of large ones such as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, the volume of food delivery orders has significantly decreased, the waiting time between orders has increased for delivery riders and their incomes have fallen accordingly.

What could be the reasons for this state of affairs?

‍Is this due to economic factors, the adoption of new laws, seasonal changes, or a decrease in consumer demand?

‍In this article, we will try to answer these questions and tell you what delivery riders can do to save and increase their income in this situation.

Why is DoorDash so slow at the moment?

1. The consequences of the 2024 elections and the economic slowdown

After the last presidential election in 2024, the US economy faced uncertainty, which consequently led to higher inflation, higher cost of living and lower consumer spending. In this regard, many restaurants have closed, and some have significantly reduced their delivery volumes.

In addition, new labor laws have been adopted, and new rules for employment in the gig economy have been introduced in large states such as New York and California.

‍These laws contributed to the fact that companies, including DoorDash, were forced to reconsider their business model, which affected the work of delivery riders in terms of reducing the volume of orders received.

2. Stricter rules for electric bicycles and delivery riders

Earlier this year, new rules governing the operation of electric bicycles were put into effect in New York, San Francisco and Boston. This has affected the expediency and accessibility of their use by delivery riders.

According to the new rules:

• When using electric bicycles, their mandatory registration and insurance are required.
• A ban has been imposed on the use of certain models of electric bicycles that are considered unsafe.
• The control over the observance of traffic rules by electric cyclists and their mandatory use of helmets has been strengthened.

These measures have been developed and aimed at improving road safety. At the same time, they have significantly complicated the work of delivery riders who used to use more powerful electric bicycles, thereby delivering in a shorter time.

Currently, according to the new requirements, delivery riders have limited the speed of movement on electric bicycles and have been required to purchase licenses and road insurance. All of this eventually affected their income.

3. More delivery riders, fewer orders

In addition, another reason complicating the work at DoorDash lately is the multiple increases in the number of delivery riders with a falling demand for delivery. The high unemployment rate in the country and the rising cost of living forced many people to go to work in the food delivery industry, and this served to oversaturate the market.

In addition, the demand for food delivery has decreased due to:

• Rising prices for groceries and delivery.
• Savings due to inflation.
• In order to reduce costs, many people prefer to cook at home.

As a result, delivery riders have to compete with each other for each delivery, and the waiting time between orders has increased significantly.

4. Seasonal decrease in demand and weather effects

The weather conditions of the current year were also one of the factors reducing the demand for delivery. The temperature background at the beginning of 2025 turned out to be colder than usual in several US states, which also affected the volume of food delivery orders. During the winter months, people go to restaurants less often, and some establishments even reduce their working hours.

In addition, adverse weather conditions such as heavy snowfalls, rains, and extremely low temperatures also do not contribute to the demand for food delivery and delivery riders.

As a rule, the demand for food delivery increases in spring and summer, so the current decline in January and February is most likely temporary.

5. Artificial intelligence and automation in the field of delivery

As technological progress progressed, the DoorDash platform, along with other delivery services, began to try to use artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms in their work applications and automate the process of working with delivery riders to distribute delivery orders. There are other new trends in the field of delivery activities, such as:

• Priority receipt of orders by delivery riders with consistently high ratings and extensive practical experience.
• Using autonomous cars and drones to fulfill orders.
•  Restaurants create their own delivery services.

Thus, the listed innovations in the field of delivery will partially limit the earning opportunities of delivery riders, but experienced and conscientious Dashers will continue to earn steadily.

The slowest days for DoorDash

If you notice orders arriving with a long delay while on shift, this may be due to the fact that you work on the most unproductive days of the week.

According to the aggregated data from previous years, the slowest days for DoorDash delivery are:

• Monday and Tuesday – after the weekend, people order food less often.
• The interval between lunch and dinner (from 14:00 to 17:00) – during this time there is a decline in orders.
• Weeks after the holidays – after Christmas, New Year's, and Thanksgiving, people try to save money, and demand for delivery drops.

To maximize income, it is recommended to work during high-demand hours such as lunch (11:00-14:00) and dinner (17:00-21:00), as well as on weekends when there are more orders.

How can delivery riders earn more despite the slowdown in DoorDash?

Despite the fact that there are a number of factors that currently create difficulties in the work of DoorDash delivery delivery riders, we can offer you some practical tips that will help you work more efficiently and maximize your income.

1. Use multiple apps

• Connect and work simultaneously with several applications: Uber Eats, Grubhub and Instacart to have a choice to receive more profitable orders and reduce the waiting time between them.
• If possible, choose orders with the maximum payment for a short distance.

2. Work in high-demand areas

• While waiting for delivery orders, try to stay in areas where there are a sufficient number of restaurants, including the most popular and business centers.
• Do not work in residential areas with obviously low demand for food delivery.

3. Work during rush hours

• When building your work schedule, keep in mind that the maximum number of orders falls at lunchtime and in the evening.
• By working on weekends, you can earn the highest income.

4. Increase the delivery rider's rating

The higher your rating, the more orders you will receive with high earnings.

• Deliver orders quickly and accurately to get more tips.

5. Use an electric bike to increase the speed of delivery

• Using an electric bike will allow you to complete more orders in an hour than a regular bike or walking delivery.
• It allows you to save money on fuel and avoid traffic jams in the city.

Get our new Storm 2 e-bike today

Conclusion

The slowdown in DoorDash in 2025 is caused by the economic downturn, new rules for delivery riders, an increase in the number of delivery drivers, and seasonal factors.

Despite this, experienced delivery riders can continue to earn money using multi-apping, working during high-demand hours, and electric bicycles for faster delivery.

In the coming months, the demand for delivery may increase again, especially with the improvement of the economic situation. Until then, delivery riders will have to adapt to the new reality in order to stay profitable.