How to Change Starting Point on DoorDash

The ability to choose where you work as a DoorDash driver is the best way to optimize your time to make the most money.

You want to be near the businesses that receive the most orders, so you have a busy work day.

And sometimes, DoorDash will offer promotions, like Peak Pay, Challenges, or Guaranteed Earnings, for specific locations to entice drivers to accept orders.

We’ve put together this guide to walk you through changing your starting point and to answer any lingering questions you may have.

Read on to learn how to change the starting point on DoorDash.

What Does Starting Point Mean on DoorDash?

The starting point indicates your location.

DoorDash divides each city into zones — usually by neighborhoods.

Depending on where you start, you’ll receive offers for orders and any applicable promotions in that area.

Usually, you’ll keep receiving orders in that area, but occasionally you might get one that takes you out a bit farther if your area is low on orders or it’s an off-time.

The Dasher app itself doesn’t have a set radius; that’s determined by the partnership each business has with DoorDash.

What Is the DoorDash Delivery Radius?

The delivery radius is dependent upon the partnership each business has with DoorDash.

There are three tiers: Basic, Plus, and Premier.

The distance for each will depend on the area you’re in and how far the business wants to deliver out to customers.

For example, in a market like New York City, the Basic delivery radius will be smaller than in a rural place like southern Virginia.

The Plus partnership has a delivery radius about 10% larger than Basic, and the Premier partnership delivery radius is about 15% larger than Basic.

Can You Change Your Starting Point on DoorDash?

There are many reasons you might want to change your starting point on DoorDash, whether it be because you selected the wrong area at sign-up, you want to work in a busier location, you want to take advantage of the offered promotions, you’re traveling and still want to work, or you moved to a new area.

How To Change Starting Point on DoorDash

Below you’ll find step-by-step instructions to change your start point.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Here’s how to change your start point.

Install Dasher App

Install the Dasher app on your phone.

iPhone

1. Open your App Store.
2. Search DoorDash Driver.
3. Click the app and tap “Get.”
4. After it’s installed, open up the app and set up your Dasher profile.

Android

1. Open your Play Store.
2. Search DoorDash Driver.
3. Click the app and tap “Install.”
4. After it’s installed, open up the app and set up your Dasher profile.

Note: When prompted, ensure you accept location services and enable text and push notifications so you can get directions to pick-up and drop-off and receive order notifications.

You’ll also need to accept camera access so you can upload your banking info to get paid.

Log Into App

Now that you have the Dasher app on your phone, log in to get started.

You’ll be able to change your starting point using one of two methods.

See Dash Now or Schedule a Dash

After you log in and get to the dashboard, you’ll see a menu bar at the bottom of the screen.

You can choose Dash or Schedule.

Schedule a Dash

Follow these steps to choose your starting point with the schedule feature.

1. Click on the Schedule tab.
2. Select a day from the Available tab.
3. Choose your starting point and available times. You can use the filter to look at specific locations.
4. Tap your preferred Dash and select your Start and End times within the timeframe.
5. Click Save Dash, and you’re all set!

Choose Dash Now

First, make sure your Dash Now option is enabled.

This option is what ensures you receive offers for orders.

There are two ways to choose your starting point with Dash Now.

If you’re already in the area you want to work in, click the Dash Now option from the dashboard.

The app will automatically detect your current location.

Alternatively, you can use the map and zoom in to the available starting points.

You’ll see icons all over the map; some have bars to indicate how busy the area is, and some have dollar amounts for promotions.

The red patches indicate the busiest areas, which are ideal for making money quickly.

Tap the area you want to dash in and select Dash Now.

Answer Confirmation Message

You’ll see a message pop up on the screen alerting you of a new dashing location.

It’ll show that your location is changing from your previous one to your current.

Simply click OK, and you’re ready to dash in that area.

How To Change Starting Point on DoorDash if Dash Now Is Not Available

Sometimes, you may discover the Dash Now option is unavailable.

That could be because there are no orders available at your current location.

So, how do you change your starting point? Follow the steps below.

1. Open the Dasher app and log in.
2. Tap the lines in the top left corner of the main screen.
3. Click Settings and then Location.
4. Enter an address or select a location from the list.

Why Can’t You Change Your Starting Point on DoorDash?

There are some circumstances where you cannot change your starting point on DoorDash.

Perhaps the area you’re trying to select isn’t eligible for DoorDash, or maybe there aren’t enough orders.

If you’re in a country that DoorDash doesn’t service or the area is oversaturated, you’ll be unable to change your starting point.

Read on to find out which situation applies to you.

Not in an Area of Operation

Even though DoorDash is a popular service used across the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, and Puerto Rico, that doesn’t mean it’s available in every city or region within those countries.

If you cannot change your starting point, it may be because your preferred area doesn’t fall within DoorDash’s area of service.

In an Area Where There Aren’t Many Orders

Smaller and more rural areas aren’t usually hotspots for DoorDash and other convenience apps.

So if you live in one of those areas, you may not always receive orders or be able to change your location.

Out of the Country

DoorDash operates only in the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, and Puerto Rico.

So if you are outside any of these countries, your only option is to wait until DoorDash is available in your region.

Not Enough Orders Available

Depending on what time you’re attempting to Dash, there may not be many orders out there.

If you’re unable to change your starting point, it may be because you’re outside peak time.

You can wait and refresh the app to see if any orders become available or use the Schedule function to reserve a slot for a later time at your preferred starting point.

Too Many Dashers Working

Some DoorDash areas become oversaturated quickly with available drivers.

Another reason you may be unable to change your starting point is that the area is at capacity for dashers.

Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do at that point except refresh your app and wait for orders, schedule a future time to dash or call it a day.

Technical Glitch

Finally, we can’t ignore the possibility of technical difficulties.

The Dasher app, like many others, may occasionally have bugs or glitches that prevent you from changing your starting point.

Luckily, we can help you troubleshoot.

iOS Users

1. First, check that you have a stable internet connection.
   1. Turn your wifi off and then on again.
   2. Ensure your phone isn’t in airplane mode.
   3. Turn off your wifi and try data instead.

1. Restart your phone.
2. Uninstall and reinstall the Dasher app.
   1. Uninstall the Dasher app and turn your phone off for a few seconds.
   2. Power your phone back on and reinstall the app.

1. Log back into the app and try to change your starting point using Dash Now or the Schedule feature.

Android Users

1. Open your Settings.
2. Go to the Apps tab.
3. Select the Dasher app and tap storage.
4. Select CLEAR DATA and then DELETE.
5. Log back into the app and try changing your starting point.

Unfortunately, if the troubleshooting doesn’t work, you’ll have to contact DoorDash directly or wait for the issues to be resolved on their end.

Wrapping Up

Changing your starting point on DoorDash is simple and can effectively optimize your earning potential.

DoorDash offers drivers lucrative promotions depending on demand in each area, so taking advantage of that and changing your location will pay off.

And if you’re someone who has recently moved or travels frequently, it allows you to keep making money.

Perhaps you want to change your location simply for a change of scenery.

No matter your reason, you can do it in a few quick steps.

Now that you know how to change the starting point on DoorDash get out there and make some money!