How Far Will Lyft Take You?

Lyft accounts for about 30% of the ride-share market in the USA and Canada and usually costs less than Uber. You can use Lyft whenever you want, but when heading to the airport, train station or a big event, a ride-share option is often the top choice for transportation. But how far will Lyft take you on a ride?

Lyft drivers can only take passengers outside of the coverage area by 100 miles. Additionally, drivers can not drive passengers over international borders. Lyft requests are only allowed within your city’s coverage. The reason for this is to help keep drivers in their regions.

When using Lyft, since the maximum distance a passenger can travel in one ride is 100 miles, those who want to continue their trip have to request a new ride. Drivers do not accept cash as a payment method; however, the app does accept payments via your Lyft account/gift card or a credit/debit card.

How Far Will Lyft Take You

You can request a ride from inside your city’s coverage area. A driver will not take you further than 100 miles outside of your coverage area. Once you hit 100 miles, it is time to get out and request another driver. So you can go cross country with Lyft, but you will be asking for a lot of different rides!

Be aware that some promotions are specific to certain areas, so riding in different places may have other deal options. This app is constantly growing, so the community will include more and more areas as time goes on.

Top Ride Destinations

Although Lyft operates in the US and Canada, yet in some places, the service is more in demand than others. Lyft is more prevalent in the Midwest and on the West Coast than on the East Coast.

Here are the most popular ride destinations.

Walt Disney World
Phoenix, AZ

San Francisco, CA
Detroit, MI
Seattle, WA

Atlanta, GA
Los Angeles, CA
St Paul, MN

How Does Lyft Define its Pricing?

Let’s talk about how the ride-share service calculates rides so you can understand what your money is paying for when you request a ride.

The company bases its pricing on the fares, fees and local tolls, and tips for the driver. The ride route, type, availability, and demand are considered when you get a fare estimate.

There is a higher demand for rides during peak commuting hours, when there are significant events in the area, at night on the weekends, and when the weather is bad. Get a fare estimate here.

Increased rates when the Demand is High

Traveling during peak hours could cause a longer wait time for pick up and be more expensive. The price could increase anywhere from 1.5x to 3x more expensive. The key is to avoid these high-priced travel times if you can. Also, rides take longer during peak times due to traffic.

On the other hand, peak hours are best for drivers since they can make more money in a shorter amount of time. There is even an incentive for drivers to be on the road during these prime times. Learn “how many Lyft drivers there are here.”

It is helpful to check on the Wait & Save option. Passengers can pay a lower fare if they increase their wait time. It is always a good idea to spend less.

Peak Hours

the morning drive to work
the drive home from work
when lots of people are out and about (think popular events/concerts/conferences/shows)

Friday and Saturday heading out for the night
Friday and Saturday after the bars and clubs close.

What Else Do You Want to Know?

Find out more about this app right here.

Did you know you can “rent a car from Lyft?” Road trip, anyone? Learn more here.
When you are looking for transportation to an important event, click here to read all about “scheduling Lyft in advance.”
For $19.99 a month, you can join the Lyft Pink membership program. It includes 15% savings on rides, special offers, a less strict cancelation policy, and priority airport pickups.

If you are wondering “why Lyft is so expensive,” click here.
Rent bikes and scooters from Lyft for a cheaper way to get around.
Lyft has started offering shared rides again since its suspended service during the beginning of the pandemic. It is a cheaper option and therefore popular. For now, only two people can ride at one time together to follow health guidelines.

To learn “where to buy Lyft gift cards,” click here.