Let me tell you about the $3,000 I left on the table my first year driving Uber. I didn’t track my mileage properly. Just… didn’t do it. Figured I’d remember. Spoiler: I didn’t remember.
That mistake cost me real money. At 67 cents per mile (the 2024 rate), the 5,000 miles I forgot to log was a $3,350 deduction I couldn’t claim. Never again.
Here’s everything you need to know about tracking mileage for taxes as a gig worker—and how to never make my expensive mistake.
Why Mileage Tracking Matters So Much
For most gig workers, mileage is your biggest tax deduction. We’re talking thousands of dollars.
| Annual Miles | 2025 Deduction (70¢/mi) | Tax Savings (22% bracket) |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 | $7,000 | $1,540 |
| 20,000 | $14,000 | $3,080 |
| 30,000 | $21,000 | $4,620 |
See those numbers? That’s real money staying in your pocket instead of going to the IRS. But only if you track properly.
What Miles Can You Deduct?
This trips people up. Not every mile counts. Here’s the breakdown:
YES – These Miles Count:
- Driving to pick up a passenger or order
- Driving the passenger/delivery to destination
- Driving between gigs while app is on
- Driving to a hotspot to get more orders
- Driving to get gas during a shift
- Driving home after your LAST delivery of the day
NO – These Miles Don’t Count:
- Driving from home to your first pickup (that’s commuting)
- Personal errands during your shift
- Driving with the app OFF
Best Mileage Tracking Apps (I’ve Tried Them All)
Manual tracking is a recipe for disaster. Trust me. Use an app.
1. Stride (My Top Pick) – FREE
This is what I use. It runs in the background, automatically detects when you’re driving, and tracks everything. The tax savings calculator is motivating too—you see in real-time how much you’re saving.
2. Everlance – Free/$8 per month
Similar to Stride with automatic tracking. The paid version adds expense tracking and more detailed reports. Good if you want everything in one app.
3. MileIQ – $5.99/month
Microsoft-owned, super reliable. You swipe drives as business or personal. Simple interface but the subscription adds up.
4. Hurdlr – Free/$10 per month
Goes beyond mileage—tracks expenses, income, and estimates your taxes. Great all-in-one solution if you want to pay for it.
How to Set Up Automatic Mileage Tracking
- Download Stride (free on iOS and Android)
- Create account with your email
- Enable location permissions – must be “Always” for auto-tracking
- Enable auto-detection in settings
- Start driving – the app handles the rest
Seriously, it takes 3 minutes to set up and saves you hours of manual logging.
What If You Forgot to Track? (Damage Control)
Didn’t track earlier this year? Here’s how to reconstruct your mileage:
- Check your gig app history – Uber, DoorDash, etc. show pickup/dropoff addresses
- Use Google Maps Timeline – If you had location history on, it tracked everywhere you went
- Review bank statements – Gas purchases indicate driving patterns
- Calculate averages – Use your recent tracked weeks to estimate earlier periods
It’s not perfect, but the IRS accepts reasonable estimates if you have supporting documentation.
Mileage Log Requirements (IRS Rules)
The IRS wants these details for each trip:
- Date of the trip
- Starting location
- Ending location
- Miles driven
- Business purpose
Good mileage tracking apps capture all of this automatically. That’s why I push apps so hard—they create IRS-compliant logs without effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to keep physical records?
No, digital records from mileage apps are accepted. Just make sure you can export them if needed (all major apps have this feature).
What if I use my car for both personal and business?
That’s most of us! Just track business miles separately. Your app should let you classify each drive as business or personal.
Should I use mileage rate or actual expenses?
For most gig workers, the standard mileage rate (70¢/mile in 2025) wins. It’s simpler and usually bigger. Only consider actual expenses if you drive a very expensive car.
Can the IRS see my location data?
Not directly. But if audited, you’d provide your mileage logs. Having app-tracked data makes audits much easier to handle.
Start Tracking TODAY
Every day you don’t track is money lost. Download Stride right now—it’s free and takes 3 minutes to set up.
Your future self (and your tax bill) will thank you.