How to Make $500 a Day with a Pickup Truck: The Best Truck Side Hustles for 2026

Table of Contents

• Why a Pickup Truck Is a Powerful Side Hustle Tool
• How Much Can You Make? Understanding the $500/Day Goal
• Best Beginner-Friendly Side Hustles with a Pickup Truck
• Higher-Earning Truck Side Hustles ($300–$500+ Days)
• Best Apps & Platforms for Pickup Truck Gigs
• What You Need to Start a Truck Side Hustle
• How to Market Your Services and Get More Clients
• How to Hit $500/Day with Your Pickup Truck
• Pros and Cons of a Pickup Truck Side Hustle
• Frequently Asked Questions

Why a Pickup Truck Is One of the Most Profitable Side Hustle Tools Today

In a gig economy filled with food delivery drivers, online freelancers, and traditional side jobs, a side hustle with a truck remains one of the most consistently profitable opportunities. A pickup truck offers something no app-only gig can compete with — the ability to move large items, haul bulk materials, transport equipment, and serve real physical needs that people can’t handle on their own.

Demand for truck-based services continues to grow thanks to:

• More people shopping on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and Craigslist
• Increased DIY projects and home improvement activity
• The rise of “on-demand” labor platforms
• Growth in small business logistics needs
• People wanting fast, local hauling instead of large moving companies

This means more opportunities for drivers to build a reliable and scalable truck side hustle — even starting from zero experience.

How Much Can You Make? Understanding the $500/Day Goal

One of the most common questions for new drivers is: “How do I make $500 a day with a pickup truck?”

While not every day will reach that number, many truck owners hit it regularly by combining multiple types of jobs, optimizing their rates, and choosing the right markets. In many areas, even beginner-friendly truck gigs can bring in $50–$150 per job, and more advanced hauls can earn $200–$500+ each.

What affects how much truck owners make?

• Your location and market size
• The types of hauling jobs you accept
• Your pricing strategy
• Whether you use gig apps, your own marketing, or both
• Your availability (weekends pay more!)
• Your ability to complete multiple jobs per day

The bottom line: hitting $500/day is realistic when you know which side hustle with a pickup truck pays the most and how to structure your schedule effectively.

Best Beginner-Friendly Side Hustles with a Pickup Truck

If you’re new to running a side hustle with a truck, these entry-level gigs are the easiest ways to get quick jobs and reliable income — often within the first week.

1. Local Hauling & Junk Removal

Junk removal is one of the highest-demand services for pickup truck owners. People constantly need old furniture, yard waste, broken appliances, and debris hauled away. Most junk removal jobs pay $75–$200, with larger loads reaching $300+.

• Fastest way to start making money
• Little to no experience required
• You control pricing and scheduling

2. Furniture & Appliance Delivery

With Facebook Marketplace exploding, thousands of people buy items every day without a vehicle big enough to move them. This creates steady demand for pickup truck delivery services.

Typical pay: $40–$120 per delivery. Multiple deliveries per day can quickly add up to strong earnings.

3. Landscaping Material Transport

Landscaping companies and homeowners often need help transporting mulch, soil, gravel, lumber, or equipment. This is perfect for drivers comfortable with heavier loads.

Typical pay: $50–$150 per haul

4. Small Moves & One-Item Moves

Not everyone needs a full moving company — sometimes they just need help moving a couch or a mattress. Pickup truck owners fill this gap perfectly.

Earn $60–$150 per job for small moves or single-item relocations.

Higher-Earning Truck Side Hustles ($300–$500+ Per Day Potential)

If you’re ready to step into more advanced or specialized work, these are the most lucrative side hustles with a pickup truck available today.

1. Hotshot Deliveries (Non-CDL)

Hotshot trucking involves transporting time-sensitive loads for businesses — tools, materials, machinery, equipment, or commercial goods. Even without a trailer, some local hotshot work can be done using just a pickup.

Skilled drivers routinely earn $100–$300 per run, especially in construction or oil-and-gas regions.

2. Contract Delivery for Retailers

Stores like Lowe’s, Home Depot, Costco, and local furniture or appliance stores frequently hire independent drivers for overflow deliveries.

• Batch deliveries pay extremely well
• Reliable daily or weekly work
• Steady income stream for active drivers

3. Trailer Towing & Equipment Hauling

If your truck is tow-capable, adding a utility trailer or flatbed unlocks premium hauling opportunities like ATVs, small machinery, construction equipment, and more.

Earnings vary, but many drivers charge $150–$400 per haul.

Apps & Platforms That Help Pickup Truck Owners Find Work

Several gig apps specialize in connecting pickup truck owners with high-paying hauling and delivery jobs. These platforms make it easier than ever to start a side hustle with a pickup truck and find consistent work.

• GoShare – The most popular app for pickup truck hauling jobs
• Dolly – Great for moving help and furniture delivery
• Bungii – Known as the “Uber for pickups”
• Bellhop – For small moving jobs
• Roadie – Long-distance delivery jobs
• CitizenShipper – Pet transport, equipment transport, and specialty items

What You Need to Start a Truck Side Hustle

Getting started doesn’t require much equipment, but the right setup makes your work safer, faster, and more profitable.

Essential Tools

• Heavy-duty ratchet straps
• Tarp or bed cover
• Moving blankets
• Dolly or hand truck
• Basic tool kit

Business Essentials

• Valid driver’s license (obviously!)
• Commercial or upgraded auto insurance (recommended)
• A way to accept digital payments
• Google Business Profile for local visibility

How to Market Your Truck Side Hustle for Consistent Work

You don’t need a big budget to get clients. In fact, most successful truck-based side hustlers rely on a few simple, consistent marketing methods.

Free Marketing Methods

• Create a Google Business Profile
• Post your services in local Facebook groups
• List hauling or delivery services on Craigslist
• Ask satisfied customers for reviews

Paid Marketing Options

• Local Service Ads (Google)
• Truck door magnets or decals
• Simple website with contact form

How to Hit $500/Day with Your Pickup Truck

Reaching $500/day isn’t about completing one giant job — it’s usually about stacking the right combination of high-value services at the right times.

A Sample $500 Day Plan

• One junk removal job: $150–$250
• Two furniture deliveries: $80–$120 each
• One retail delivery: $80–$150
• Total: $390–$540+

On busier days — especially weekends — your earnings can surpass these numbers quickly.

Pros and Cons of Starting a Pickup Truck Side Hustle

Pros

• High earning potential
• Flexible work schedule
• Low startup costs
• Strong demand year-round

Cons

• Fuel and wear-and-tear on your truck
• Weather-dependent work in some regions
• Physical labor required

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you really make $500 a day with a pickup truck?

Yes — many drivers hit $500 days by combining multiple high-paying jobs such as junk removal, furniture delivery, and hotshot runs.

What is the most profitable truck side hustle?

Hotshot deliveries and junk removal routinely generate the highest payouts, but contract retail deliveries can also provide strong daily income.

Do I need a business license or insurance?

Requirements vary by location, but commercial insurance or supplemental coverage is recommended for hauling jobs.

Is a trucking side hustle beginner-friendly?

Absolutely. Many gigs require no special training or certifications — just reliability, customer service, and a willingness to work.