If you’re looking to make the most money on Instacart, timing is everything. Knowing when to hit the road—or the grocery aisles—can mean the difference between a slow shift and a lucrative one. This guide breaks down the best times to shop, proven strategies, and trends that help you earn more as an Instacart shopper.
Understanding Peak Demand Hours
One of the most important aspects of earning more on Instacart is knowing when demand peaks. By timing your shifts around these busy hours, you can maximize your earnings by targeting the times when more batches are available, and customers tend to offer higher tips.
Weekday Rush Hours (4 PM – 8 PM)
- Why it’s peak: People shop after work, preparing for dinner and the upcoming week.
- Why it’s lucrative: There is a higher number of batches and more opportunities for tips, especially from people in a rush.
- Best days: Mondays through Fridays, especially Tuesday to Thursday.
Weekend Shopping Spree (9 AM – 3 PM)
- Why it’s peak: Customers do their major grocery shopping for the week during this time.
- Why it’s lucrative: Larger orders, more time to pick up multiple batches, and higher tips due to weekend shopping stress.
- Best days: Saturdays and Sundays, with early mornings often providing the best chance for securing large batches.
Holiday & Special Occasion Rush
- Why it’s peak: Customers need last-minute grocery items for family meals or special events.
- Why it’s lucrative: There is a surge in demand and larger orders with higher tips, particularly on the day before or the morning of the holidays.
- Best holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Memorial Day, and other major holidays.
The Late-Night Rush (8 PM – 11 PM)
- Why it’s peak: Customers order late-night snacks or are getting groceries for the following day.
- Why it’s lucrative: Less competition for batches, fewer shoppers on the road, and the possibility of higher tips from late-night orders.
- Best days: Weekdays and weekends (especially for those willing to work after dinner hours).
Key Takeaway: To maximize earnings, aim to work during the weekdays (4 PM—8 PM), weekends (9 AM—3 PM), and holidays. Late-night shifts (8 PM—11 PM) can also be lucrative, with fewer shoppers and potentially better tips.
Optimizing Your Schedule for High-Paying Orders
To make the most of your Instacart shifts, it’s crucial to plan your work hours around high-paying opportunities. Here’s how you can optimize your schedule for better earnings:
- Start Early to Secure the Best Batches
- Starting your shift early (before 10 AM on weekdays, 9 AM on weekends) helps you snag larger orders before competition picks up.
- Early mornings often offer bigger or less time-sensitive orders, making them more profitable.
- Avoid Midday Lulls (2 PM – 4 PM)
- This is generally a slow period, with fewer orders and lower-paying batches.
- Use this time for breaks or personal errands to avoid wasting hours on the app.
- Work Split Shifts for Better Coverage
- Working both morning (9 AM – 12 PM) and evening (5 PM – 8 PM) shifts allows you to capture peak demand times without the midday downtime.
- Split shifts help keep you active during high-paying periods and minimize slow hours.
- Use Instacart’s Scheduling Feature.
- Take advantage of the scheduling feature to lock in high-demand hours ahead of time.
- If you’re a top-rated shopper, Early Access gives you priority for the best shifts.
Key Takeaway: By starting early, avoiding midday lulls, splitting shifts, and scheduling ahead, you can ensure you’re working during the most profitable times on Instacart.
Seasonal Trends and Earning Potential
Understanding how seasonal changes affect Instacart demand can significantly boost your earning potential. Different times of the year bring varying shopping habits, and by aligning your work schedule with these trends, you can make more money. Here’s a look at how each season affects your Instacart earnings:
Winter (November – February)
- Why it’s lucrative: The cold weather keeps people indoors, leading to more online grocery shopping. Major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s also create a surge in demand.
- Peak demand times: The days leading up to and just after holidays, when customers are stocking up for big meals or last-minute shopping.
- What to expect: Larger orders, higher tip amounts, and an increase in customers ordering essentials or special items for holiday meals. Expect longer shifts and more intense competition.
Spring (March-May)
- Why it’s lucrative: As the weather warms, people begin spring cleaning and preparing for outdoor activities, which means more grocery shopping for fresh produce, outdoor meals, and family gatherings.
- Peak demand times: Easter, Mother’s Day, and Memorial Day are key holidays when grocery delivery demand rises. Weekends also tend to see more activity as people shop for cookouts and family get-togethers.
- What to expect: There will be increased demand for fresh food, especially for holiday meals and outdoor events, leading to larger batches and more tips. Fewer shoppers will be out due to the beginning of the season, so there may be less competition in some areas.
Summer (June – August)
- Why it’s lucrative: Summer months bring barbecues, vacations, and a focus on fresh produce like fruits and vegetables. People also tend to order more takeout and convenience foods during their time off.
- Peak demand times are Independence Day (July 4th), Memorial Day weekend, and the beginning of summer, when families are stocking up for vacations or weekend trips.
- What to expect: A mix of smaller, quick grocery trips and larger orders for cookouts and events. Tips can be higher for those who help with large or last-minute orders. People are also more likely to tip generously when they’re preparing for big summer gatherings.
Fall (September – November)
- Why it’s lucrative: Fall brings cooler weather and a focus on comfort food, which means higher demand for grocery delivery. Families are back from summer vacations, and there’s an increase in shopping for school-related meals, snacks, and bulk items.
- Peak demand times: Back-to-school season (August – September), Halloween, and Thanksgiving lead to a big jump in orders.
- What to expect: Larger family-oriented orders, as well as more demand for baking ingredients, snacks, and comfort food. Tips often increase around holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving, when people are hosting events or preparing large meals.
Key Takeaway: Seasonal trends play a crucial role in determining when to work for maximum earnings on Instacart. Winter sees a surge due to holidays and cold weather, while spring and fall bring opportunities tied to family gatherings, holidays, and back-to-school shopping. Summer offers a mix of smaller orders for vacations and larger ones for outdoor events. By aligning your schedule with these seasonal shifts, you can capitalize on peak demand periods, optimize your work hours, and significantly increase your overall earnings throughout the year.
Strategies for Boosting Tips on Instacart
To increase your earnings, it’s essential to maximize tips. Here are some strategies that can help you earn more generous tips from customers:
- Communicate Clearly and Effectively
- Send friendly updates about substitutions or delays to keep customers informed.
- Contact the customer if an item is unavailable and ask for approval on replacements.
- Deliver Quickly and Carefully
- Ensure on-time deliveries and handle fragile items with care to avoid damage.
- If delivering to an apartment, offer to bring groceries to the door for added convenience.
- Provide High-Quality Replacements
- Choose high-quality or brand-name replacements if an item is out of stock.
- Ask for customer approval on substitutions to ensure satisfaction.
- Personalize the Experience
- Remember customer preferences, such as dietary restrictions or favorite brands.
- Go the extra mile when fulfilling special requests, making the experience feel personalized.
- Follow Up with a Thank-You Message
- Send a brief thank-you note after the delivery to show appreciation.
- A simple “Thank you for your order! Hope you enjoy your groceries” can leave a positive impression.
Key Takeaway: By communicating well, providing high-quality service, and personalizing the experience, you can increase your chances of receiving generous tips on Instacart.
Using Data Analytics to Identify Profitable Times
Using data analytics can help Instacart shoppers pinpoint the most profitable times to work. Here’s how to leverage data for better earnings:
- Track Your Earnings by Hour and Day
- Keep a log of your shifts and tips to identify high-earning times. Compare weekdays vs. weekends and early vs. late shifts.
- Analyze Batch Size and Pay Rates
- Track batch size, time spent, and pay to find patterns in higher-paying, time-efficient orders.
- Use instacart’s Shopper Insights (If Available)
- Utilize any data Instacart provides about peak times or location-based trends to guide your schedule.
- Monitor Local Demand Trends
- Pay attention to local events, holidays, or school schedules that affect shopping demand in your area.
- Optimize Using Third-Party Tools
- Use apps like Gridwise or Everlance to track earnings and analyze the best times to work.
Key Takeaway: By tracking earnings, batch sizes, and local trends, you can optimize your schedule to work during the most profitable times on Instacart.
Conclusion
The best time to do Instacart is when demand is high, and competition is manageable. By utilizing peak hours, observing seasonal trends, and monitoring your performance, you can greatly increase your weekly earnings. Whether you’re a part-time shopper or going full-time, timing really is everything.
FAQs
Is early morning or evening better for Instacart?
Evening hours (4 PM—8 PM) generally offer more high-value batches, but early mornings on weekends are also strong.
Do Instacart shoppers make more on weekends?
Yes, weekends are often busier, with larger orders and better tips.
Can I schedule shifts on Instacart?
Yes, with the “Early Access” feature, top shoppers can grab preferred hours before others.
What days are the slowest for Instacart?
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are generally the least busy days in many regions.
How do I get better batches on Instacart?
Maintain a high rating, shop during peak times, and position yourself near high-demand zones.
Additional Resources