Best Times to Drive for Uber and Lyft (in Chicago)

Weekday Morning Rush (Monday-Friday) (6am-10am) -- A lot of people like to go to the loop with a side dose of going to Hyde Park. People are generally either tired, not super social, or a bit impatient. Sometimes, you even get "that person" on a conference call in the morning or to their meeting they're running late for while I'm stuck in traffic. When that happens, I sometimes get canceled on. The GPS enjoys having spaz attacks in the loop, so make sure to ask the rider for directions. If they don't have any idea where to go, use your best directional judgement. Surge during this time is seldom for me. Going outside of Chicago limits hasn't happened for me, but has happened for one of my roommates several times.

Weekday Morning/Afternoons (Monday-Friday) (10am-3pm) -- This time is more like "dead o'clock". Rides are a lot of the time pretty spread out and sometimes scarce. Sometimes, I'd even end up as far away as 83rd and Stony Island. Many rides are often 10 minutes or less, which especially during surge, can prevent you from making more money. Driving during this time can sometimes be lucky, but not usually. Going to the suburbs at this time is very unlikely.

Weekday Afternoon Rush Hour (Monday-Friday) (3pm-7pm) -- People are getting off work and traffic is backed up. I actually feel like I sometimes have a large gap in between getting rides and if I'm stuck in traffic, I get canceled on. I feel like I fare better in morning rush hour than afternoon rush hour (unless I get lots of surge) because EVERYONE wants to drive at this time, especially because it's ideal. Rides are lengthier and surge is pretty common for me. People generally don't feel rushy and are more social because they're glad to be off work and probably not super tired. I have had to go to the suburbs a few times, but the farthest I've had to go up to this point is Elmhurst (not super far).

Weekday Evening Hours (Monday-Thursday) (7pm-2am) -- Surge still may be lingering, especially if there's a sports game. I seem to get pretty steady rides around this time with easy going passengers. Some people may be going to work still, but people like to talk. Going to the suburbs is a possibility, but I generally don't end up going past Elmwood Park, Villa Park, Schiller Park, or something like that. Sometimes I do though. You could also end up with some drunk people at this time. If I end up receiving tips, it happens during this time. Unfortunately, since a lot of people like to drive at this time, you may not receive as many ride requests as you'd like...

Weekday Night Owl Hours (Monday-Thursday) (2am-6am) -- This consists of the late night studiers, the late night get-off-workers or early morning workers, and several trips to the airport. I mainly get trips to O'Hare, but sometimes Midway. Surge is rare, until it hits about 5am and trips are longer distances. People who are going to the airport and work are more social, as are drunk people. People who are drunk generally aren't sloppy, especially because they may have work the next day. Rides are generally pretty frequent, but sometimes I may need to switch apps if one of them ends up being kind of dead. Weekend night owl hours generally come out way better for the money.

Saturday Morning/Afternoon (7am-5pm) -- It's festival time in the summer and sport time all the time. Sometimes the roads will be closed to the point where I'll drive through one by accident and get yelled at by security guards directing traffic. Oops! Traffic is eminent if there's a festival or parade. Drunk people bar crawls and concert fests can happen at this time too. Avoid Michigan Avenue and the loop at all costs if possible. Museum campus is also a hot mess. However, surge pricing is common. Stay safe drivers. People drive like crazy and cancel if they're impatient while I'm stuck in traffic or my GPS is spazzing out by saying I'm farther away than I really am! I've also been hit up to go to the south side more than other times. Thankfully, since a lot of people like to enjoy their weekends, this is a good time to drive!

Friday/Saturday Night: (5pm-2am) -- People are going to their dinners, shows, just getting off of work, or various other events. People like to party. Wrigleyville is a hot mess during that time. Surge possibilities are high, as well as a small dose of sloppy people. Driving to the suburbs is possible. At least people like to talk, especially if they're drinking. Be wary of River North as well for high traffic areas and awful drivers. I definitely have some adventures that's forsure!

Weekend (Friday/Saturday) Night Owl/Drunk People O'Clock (2am-6am) -- People are drunk (or getting off work) and ready to go home. Sometimes when it's later they go to the airport. You may have to deal with sloppy people who hopefully can contain themselves and their cookies. If you see someone you can tell is sloppy and your passenger, be sure to drive away and cancel without charging. Belligerent passengers are unlikely. You may even get tips, suburb adventures, or free food when the drunk people want their noms. I've snagged a gyro and Indian food before. Both are lucrative, but I guess people like to stay out later and go out more on Saturdays...

Sunday Morning/Afternoon (7am-5pm) -- Airport and short rides are possible during this time, as well as some surge. The suburbs aren't super likely. People are generally behaved, but could be tired in the morning. Lots of people are going to brunch and meeting with friends with some who are working. Traffic isn't too bad, but there's some. Not as many "epic adventures", but definitely a more laid back time to drive... unless traffic is mean! People generally aren't in a hurry at this time at least unless they're late for a flight. Going to Midway can throw you off unfortunately because you have to drive all the way back when I55 and its construction-filled merges can cause a backup!

Sunday Night (5pm-2am) -- This has a similar feel to weekday evenings. Surge isn't super likely and traffic isn't super bad, but some people also like to go out on Sunday night. Sloppy people are unlikely to appear. If the people are drunk, they're generally in fun mode. Some people may have even been doing last minute work before the week. Rides are generally steady, but like weekday evenings, can sometimes be a tad slow.

Sunday Night Owl Hours going into Monday (2am-6am) -- It is airport and driving people to work super early o'clock. Airports are most common during this time since it's time for people to start their weeks. Sometimes the suburbs as well. Rides are pretty steady. Surge isn't super common, but at least people are talkative. However, the roads are very quiet. No sloppy people, but they may be tired!

In short, weekend afternoons and weekend evenings and night owl hours are the most lucrative times to drive... mostly weekend evening night owl hours (Saturdays)! If you don't want to deal with sloppy drunk people, stop driving around 11pm-12am at the very latest! Driving between 10am and 2pm (and even up to 4pm) weekdays is no bueno. Enjoy your adventures!