DoorDash Driver Reveals The Eye-Opening Pay After Gruelling 12-Hour Shift
By Maks in Community on 13th August 2025
A Challenge That Went Viral
The moment Spencer Joyce, a DoorDash delivery driver from Virginia Beach, set out with a self-imposed goal to fulfill every order in 12 straight hours at a time, he probably didn’t realize the public debate it sparked. The video posted by Spencer Joyce on Instagram that documented every minute of the day’s events, is now a viral hitand has sparked heated debate over the reality of gigs that are based on apps working.
Spencer began his shift around eight a.m. and continued to work until around 9 p.m. Spencer drove around 221 miles. When he finished his long day, he earned $215, excluding expenses like the cost of fuel and maintenance of the car, insurance and taxes. For many, this figure was astonishingly low in comparison to the amount of time and miles he had spent.
The Numbers Behind The Shift
Spencer said that even though the work period lasted for longer than twelve hours, Spencer was “active” for just under 10 hours, which allowed for breaks throughout the day. The most significant tip he was offered during the test included $14.25 from a delivery service to the grocery store and the tiniest was just $3 off the Starbucks order.
If you think about it, $215 may seem like a reasonable price for just one day of flexible working. However, once all costs are eliminated such as petrol wear and tear on vehicles, as well as tax liabilities, the amount you take home is reduced significantly. For a 12-hour time period it gave a grim image.
“I’m tired as hell as my car needs a tune up badly now,” said the man at the end of his video, highlighting the personal cost hidden in those numbers.
A Mixed Public Reaction
This viral clip quickly received intense reactions from people across social media. Some were amazed at the amount of effort Spencer put in for so many hours of work, whereas others praised his dedication.
“Damn man, you could make more working pretty much anywhere,” one user said. Another user said: “That’s a horrible pay for 12 hours.”
Others have, however, contextualized his experiences. “Gotta appreciate the hustle but door dashing isn’t a way to earn money. It’s about making ends meet,” one person observed.
The widespread response reflected the larger debate surrounding the gig economy: is the app-based delivery a viable way to earn money, or just an emergency solution in times of financial crisis?
The Backstory: Why Spencer Took On The Challenge
Spencer later admitted that his long-term work was not only for earning money — it was also an experiment on his YouTube channel “Embrace The Suck 21.” Spencer as well as his co-host produce videos that mix reaction with life challenges This particular segment was designed to shed some light on what a typical day of DoorDash actually looks like.
However, beyond the challenges there was a more personal story. In an interview with Unilad, Spencer explained that he’s used DoorDash and Instacart intermittently since the beginning of in the year. After obtaining an Commercial Driver’s License but facing delays before he could begin his career as a professional truck driver and was in a precarious position -even living inside his vehicle. In this period, apps-based gigs became his lifeline.
“The video I did was simply a challenge for a YouTube video and I did not expect it to blow up like it did!” he explained. “Luckily, I’ve secured a job as a trucker that I begin on August 11th.”
The Economics Of Gig Work
Spencer’s day reveals a wider economic situation for millions of gig workers in the United States. On-demand delivery services like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub offer an easy, flexible way to earn a living. However, critics say that the money does not always cover the actual costs associated with self-employment.
According to research by economists in the field of labour, after subtracting maintenance, fuel and tax deductions Many gig drivers earn less than the minimum wage. Contrary to traditional employees they are not eligible for benefits like medical insurance, paid time off or retirement benefits. Each mile they drive does not only earn money and future expenses that are incurred.
For Spencer the distance he drove 221 miles in one day wore out his vehicle. his admission that his car required immediate maintenance ratified the price that gigs pay for work.
A Divisive Debate
The proponents of gig platforms claim that the flexibility is greater than the negatives. For many, the ability to switch between accounts at any time, and earning an additional income without the limitations of traditional jobs, is a huge benefit. For others, like Spencer in times of financial crisis it can serve as an emergency source of income in the event that no other alternatives are readily available.
However, critics claim that this freedom comes at a steep price. In the real world gig workers take on all risks that come with it — from car expenses to personal safety and companies reap the benefits of their labor without offering security.
“Gig work is marketed as freedom, but what it really offers is instability,” says Dr. Carla Simmons, a labor researcher from Washington. “Workers like Spencer end up exposing the cracks in the system, because when you see someone driving hundreds of miles for what amounts to a little over $10 an hour before expenses, the numbers don’t lie.”
Social Media And The Power Of Storytelling
Spencer’s candid account of his experiences demonstrates the effectiveness of social media in helping make abstract debates more human. Discussions around gig work usually occur on a policy or economic scale, but personal experiences are more resonant.
By sharing the detailsincluding his top and tiniest tips to the fatigue he felt in the final moments of his day Spencer transformed dry data into a relatable and humane story. The ubiquity of his post indicates that there is a significant public interest in transparency about how much gig workers earn.
The Future Of App-Based Delivery
Spencer’s story comes in a moment when regulators in a variety of US states are rethinking the way gig workers should be classified. In California for instance ongoing legal battles regarding Proposition 22 — a measure that allows gig businesses to consider workers as contractors independent of the company instead of employees and given way to national debates over rights, wages and other protections.
Industry experts believe the popularity of mobile-based delivery isn’t likely to slow. Demand from customers for quick convenient food, as well as grocery delivery continues to be extremely high. However, the long-term viability of the system for working people is now being questioned.
Spencer’s experience adds to the mounting evidence that gig platforms can provide short-term solutions, they are often unable to provide security over the long term. Spencer’s own path that has seen him transition from gigs to a trucking job that is professional is in line with the path of many people who view apps-based delivery as a profession but rather as a temporary solution.
A Reality Check For Workers And Viewers Alike
The Spencer’s 12-hour workday might have been eye-opening however, for gig-workers the experience was too familiar. The daily grind of driving for hours while chasing tips, or juggling notifications from apps is the norm for numerous delivery drivers.
The reality that his $215 in gross earnings caused such alarm is a sign of a gap in the people’s perception. A lot of people believe that gratuities and tips guarantee an adequate wage for drivers but the truth is usually much lower.
Conclusion: More Than Just A Viral Video
Spencer Joyce’s viral video might start as an attempt to improve his own life however, it morphed into a look at the current state of gig work. In revealing his earningsand the fatigue behind them, the video forced viewers to face the uncomfortable question of how much an hour of work on gigs truly worth.
For Spencer the story has an optimistic conclusion. With a trucking gig scheduled, he will be able to think about the possibilities of delivery via apps. For the many people operating to DoorDash or similar services, this video is a reminder that the work is hard and the hours are long and the pay isn’t as lucrative as it appears to be on the surface.
