Yes, you can change your working location on Grubhub, but the process and your options depend on whether you want a temporary shift or a permanent move to a different city
Grubhub lets you work in multiple cities and switch between them, but you cannot straightforward pick any location you want. You must first add a new city to your account through the driver app, and Grubhub will only let you work in areas where they actively hire drivers. Once you have added a location, you can toggle between your approved zones whenever you log in. If you want to move permanently to a new city, you will need to go through Grubhub's onboarding process for that market, which can take a few days to a few weeks depending on demand.
The key difference between Grubhub and some other delivery platforms is that you do not lose your existing city when you add a new one. Your account, ratings, and earnings history stay unified across all locations. You can work in one city today and a different city tomorrow without reapplying or waiting for approval again.
Key Takeaways
- You can add multiple cities to your Grubhub account and switch between them in the driver app without reapplying, as long as Grubhub is actively hiring in those markets.
- Grubhub controls which cities are open for new drivers; you cannot work in a location where they have paused hiring, even if you live there.
- Adding a new city usually takes three to seven business days for approval, though it can be faster or slower depending on local demand.
- You can work in one city today and a different city tomorrow once both are added to your account—there is no waiting period between switches.
- If Grubhub closes a city to new drivers or you are deactivated, you lose access to that zone permanently unless you reapply when it reopens.
How to add a new city to your Grubhub driver account
Open the Grubhub driver app and go to your account settings. Look for an option labeled "Add a City" or "Work in Another City"—the exact wording varies by app version, but it is always in the account or profile section. Tap it and enter the city or zip code where you want to work. Grubhub will show you whether that market is currently open for drivers. If it is open, you will submit a request and Grubhub will review your existing driver record.
The review process checks your ratings, acceptance rate, and any violations on your current account. If you have a clean record with Grubhub, approval usually comes within three to seven business days. You will receive a notification in the app when the new city is added. If Grubhub denies the request, the app will tell you why—usually because that market is not hiring, or because your account does not meet their standards for that region.
You do not need to submit new documents, background checks, or tax forms when adding a city. Grubhub uses the information already on file. However, if your driver's license or vehicle registration has expired since you first signed up, Grubhub may ask you to update those before approving a new location.
When Grubhub will not let you change locations
Grubhub frequently pauses hiring in specific cities when they have enough drivers or when demand is low. If the city you want to move to is not currently hiring, you cannot add it to your account, even if you live there. You can check the app to see which markets are open, but there is no way to get on a waitlist or reserve a spot. You will have to check back periodically to see if that city reopens.
You also cannot change locations if your account is under review or if you have been deactivated. Deactivation can happen for low ratings, high cancellation rates, or violations of Grubhub's policies. If you are deactivated, you lose access to all cities on your account until you appeal and are reinstated. Grubhub's appeals process can take two to four weeks, and reinstatement is not may provide.
If you have been inactive for a long time—typically more than 90 days without accepting an order—Grubhub may require you to reactivate your account before you can add a new city. This usually just means logging in and confirming your information, but it can add a few extra days to the process.
Switching between cities once they are added to your account
Once you have multiple cities added, switching is when ready. Open the driver app, look for a location selector at the top of the screen (usually showing your current city), and tap it to see your list of approved zones. Select the city where you want to work and you are done. You can switch cities as many times as you want in a single day—there is no limit and no waiting period.
When you switch cities, your ratings and statistics stay with you. Grubhub does not separate your performance by location. A low rating in one city will affect your standing in all cities. Similarly, if you cancel orders frequently in one zone, Grubhub may restrict your access to all zones until your metrics improve.
Your earnings and payment method are also unified across all cities. You do not need separate bank accounts or tax documents for each location. All your deliveries, regardless of city, go into one account and are paid to the same bank account on your regular payout schedule.
Permanent moves and what happens to your old location
If you move to a new city permanently and no longer want to work in your old location, you do not have to do anything. You can straightforward stop logging in to that zone. Your account will remain active there, but you will not receive orders. If you ever want to work there again, you can switch back to that city in the app without reapplying.
However, if you want to remove a city from your account entirely—for example, to clean up your profile or because you have been inactive there for a long time—you may need to contact Grubhub support. Not all driver app versions have a "remove city" button. Support can deactivate a specific location while keeping your account active in other cities, though this is not a common request and response times vary.
If Grubhub closes a city to new drivers after you have already been approved there, you keep access to that zone. You can continue working there even though new drivers cannot sign up. However, if you are deactivated or if your account lapses, you will lose that access and cannot reapply until Grubhub reopens hiring in that market.
What to expect during the approval process
After you request a new city, Grubhub typically sends you a confirmation email within 24 hours saying your request is under review. During the review period, you will not be able to log in to that city yet. The app will show it as "pending" or "under review." You can continue working in your other approved cities without any interruption.
Approval times vary. In high-demand markets where Grubhub is actively hiring, you might be approved in two to three business days. In slower markets or during periods when Grubhub is not actively recruiting, it can take two to three weeks. There is no way to speed up the process or contact someone to check on your status. You will receive a notification in the app and an email when the city is added.
If your request is denied, Grubhub will tell you the reason in the app. The most common reasons are that the market is not currently hiring, your account does not meet their standards, or there is a problem with your documents. If the reason is unclear, you can contact Grubhub support through the app to ask for more information, though response times are often slow.
Tips for a smooth location change
Before requesting a new city, make sure your account is in good standing. Check your ratings and acceptance rate in the app. Grubhub is more likely to approve location requests from drivers with ratings above 4.5 and acceptance rates above 80 percent. If your metrics are low, focus on improving them in your current city first.
Keep your documents current. If your driver's license, vehicle registration, or insurance is expiring soon, renew it before requesting a new city. Grubhub may ask for updated documents during the review process, and having them ready will speed things up. You can upload new documents through the app's account settings.
Do not request multiple cities at once. If you submit requests for two or three new locations simultaneously, Grubhub may flag your account as suspicious and delay all of them. Request one city, wait for approval, then request the next one if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work in a city where Grubhub is not currently hiring?
No. Grubhub controls which cities are open for new drivers. If a market is closed to hiring, you cannot add it to your account, even if you live there. You can check the app periodically to see if that city reopens, but there is no waitlist or way to reserve a spot.
How long does it take to get approved for a new city?
Approval usually takes three to seven business days, but it can be faster in high-demand markets or slower in areas where Grubhub is not actively recruiting. You will receive a notification in the app when your new city is added. There is no way to check the status or speed up the process.
Will my ratings transfer to a new city?
Yes. Your ratings, acceptance rate, and all performance metrics are unified across all cities on your account. A low rating in one city affects your standing everywhere. Grubhub does not separate your performance by location.
Can I switch between cities multiple times in one day?
Yes. Once both cities are added to your account, you can switch between them as many times as you want with no waiting period. Just tap the location selector in the app and choose which city you want to work in.
What happens if I stop working in a city but do not remove it from my account?
Nothing. Your account will remain active in that city, but you will not receive orders if you are not logged in there. You can switch back to that city anytime without reapplying. If you want to remove it entirely, you may need to contact Grubhub support, though not all app versions have a removal option.