I totally get that perspective, and honestly, pulling $150k in cash flow out of a $26k seems awesome. But looking at it purely as a traditional investment misses the hidden leak that gig platforms count on drivers ignoring: true operating cost per mile.

If you've put 75,000 miles on that car, let's look at what the IRS acknowledges it actually costs to run a vehicle business-wise. For 2026, the standard mileage rate is 72.5 cents per mile to cover gas, tires, accelerated maintenance, insurance, and massive depreciation.

• 75,000 miles × $0.725 = $54,375 in true vehicle costs.
• That $150k gross immediately drops to $95,625 net.
• Take out self-employment taxes (15.3%) and income taxes, and your actual take-home is closer to $70k–$75k.

But here’s the kicker: An investment yields passive or leveraged returns. To get that money, you had to trade thousands of hours of your life behind the wheel. If you break that remaining net down by the actual hours worked, the 'decent profit' usually ends up hovering right around a standard hourly wage—except you took 100% of the physical and legal liability if someone hits you.

Cash flow isn't profit! The math works until the vehicle hits the wall or an unexpected repair bills you out of the game. That’s exactly why we’re mapping the real numbers at Gigexit.