MODERATE IMPACT

How does the Iran war affect Uber Eats, DoorDash, and food delivery prices?

Quick answer: Food delivery prices are rising due to higher gas costs for drivers and rising restaurant food costs. Expect delivery fees and menu prices on platforms to increase 10-20% in the coming weeks.

Last updated: 2026-03-13

Double Hit on Food Delivery

Food delivery apps are getting squeezed from two directions: higher fuel costs for drivers and higher food costs for restaurants.

Higher Delivery Fees

Delivery drivers pay for their own gas. With gas prices up 17% nationally (and above $5/gallon in California), drivers need higher payouts to make deliveries worthwhile. Platforms are responding by raising delivery fees, adding fuel surcharges, or both.

Higher Menu Prices

Restaurants are seeing their own costs rise — cooking oil, ingredients, packaging, and delivery from suppliers all cost more when diesel and oil prices spike. Many restaurants have already raised their in-store prices, and delivery app prices (which are typically already 15-30% higher than in-store) will follow.

What to Expect

  • Delivery fees: Up $1-3 per order in many markets
  • Menu prices on apps: Up 10-20% as restaurants pass through costs
  • Surge pricing: More frequent during peak hours as fewer drivers operate
  • Longer wait times: Some drivers are reducing hours due to fuel costs

Cost-Saving Tips

  • Cook at home: The cheapest meal is always one you make yourself
  • Pick up instead of delivery: Save the delivery fee and tip
  • Use subscription passes: DoorDash DashPass and Uber One can offset fee increases if you order frequently
  • Compare platforms: Prices and fees vary between apps for the same restaurant
  • Order during off-peak hours: Avoid lunch (11am-1pm) and dinner (6-8pm) surge periods
food deliveryUber EatsDoorDashgig economydelivery fees

Products That Can Help

Portable Power Station

Keep devices charged during outages. Essential for supply chain disruptions.

$199.99
CamelCamelCamel Price Tracker

Track Amazon prices and buy when they drop. Never overpay during inflation.

Free
Reusable Grocery Bags (6-pack)

Save on bag fees and reduce waste. Heavy-duty, washable.

$12.99

As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases. This doesn't affect our editorial independence.

Related Questions

How does the Iran war affect DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Instacart drivers?

Delivery drivers are hit on multiple fronts. Gas prices have jumped 20% since the war started, directly eating into driver earnings since most platforms don't fully reimburse fuel costs. At the same time, consumers are cutting back on delivery orders as they tighten budgets, meaning fewer available orders. The silver lining: some platforms have introduced temporary fuel surcharges, and drivers who switch to EVs or hybrids may actually see increased demand as competitors drop out.

How does the Iran war affect restaurants and food service workers?

Restaurants face a triple cost squeeze: food ingredient prices up, energy costs surging, and delivery fuel surcharges rising. In India, 10,000 restaurants are shutting down from LPG shortages. US restaurants expect menu prices to jump 5-10% in coming weeks.

Will Uber and Lyft rides cost more because of the Iran war?

Very likely yes. Drivers are declining short trips that don't cover fuel costs, reducing supply. In 2022 when gas spiked, both platforms added $0.45-0.55 surcharges. Expect similar surcharges or higher base fares as gas stays above $3.50.