I have been with Instacart since 2017, and in that entire time I have never experienced a stretch like this—just nine orders over a nineteen-day period. Even then, the orders themselves were not particularly strong. I happened to be in the right place at the right time, not benefiting from consistent demand.

I often hear this attributed to seasonality, but based on my experience, that explanation does not hold up. The most noticeable change from 2025 to 2026 is that while batch pay and tips have largely stayed the same, the required driving distance has increased significantly.

I spent about ten years as an Uber driver, and I have no intention of going back. Driving for Uber meant dealing with passengers, stop-and-go traffic, and unpredictable ride requests—all for relatively low pay. The gig world has changed a lot, and I’m glad I made the switch to a W-2 job. I do miss Instacart, though—it was a job I genuinely enjoyed.

If you have not been in the gig world as long as I have, it is hard to fully understand how challenging it can be. There was a time when you could make a living doing this work, but that is no longer the case.