Is it better to take long or short delivery jobs?

Choosing the right job for you depends on your schedule, location and earning strategy. Both short and long delivery jobs have their benefits.

Short delivery jobs:

Typically, these include single A-B deliveries or small multi-drop routes within a local area.

These are useful for:

  • Completing more jobs in one day

  • Completing jobs around your full-time work (evenings, weekends, lunch break)

  • Filling empty miles around longer jobs

Some potential downsides:

  • More time spent stopping, parking and getting in and out of your vehicle

  • Can involve more waiting time between jobs if not planned well

  • Earnings per job are lower

 

Long delivery jobs

These can include full or half-day hires, longer distance A-Bs or larger multi-drop routes

These are beneficial because:

  • They are paid higher per job

  • You spend less time searching for work

  • They provide more predictable earnings

Some potential downsides:

  • Risk of empty return journeys if you can’t secure a backload

  • Higher fuel costs if routes aren’t well optimised

The most effective, all-round approach is a hybrid one, but it really depends on your personality, preference and schedule.

Using smart routing and planning tools, like those in Zippd, can help you identify the best combination of jobs, reduce downtime and make the most of every working hour.

Return to guide: Earning more as a courier driver