People are paying some jaw-dropping amounts of money to get McDonald’s delivered.

A new study has revealed just how much of a hit your wallet can take if you decide to skip the drive-thru and let a delivery app bring your Big Mac to the door. The numbers might surprise you because we’re not talking about a couple of dollars in extra fees. We’re talking about prices that almost double the cost of your meal depending on where you order and which app you use. If you’ve ever thought your delivery total seemed suspiciously high, this study confirms you’re not imagining things.

The Study

Financial tech company Self recently dug into the cost of McDonald’s delivery across the U.S. to figure out what people are actually paying once all the fees, markups, and tips are added in. Researchers placed the same McDonald’s order — a Big Mac combo meal, a Quarter Pounder with Cheese Deluxe large meal, a 6-piece Chicken McNuggets Happy Meal, and a Hamburger Happy Meal — in the 100 largest U.S. cities across DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub.

The results? McDonald’s really is taking a massive bite out of wallets. At the restaurant itself, the order cost an average of $36.95. That’s already a 24% increase since 2023. But if you decided to order the same meal for delivery, the cost shot up to an average of $62.36 — nearly double the in-store price.

Which App Costs the Most?

Not all apps are created equal, and the study compared them side by side. DoorDash was the most expensive option, coming in at $63.21 for the order, which is 71.1% higher than what you’d pay at the restaurant. Uber Eats wasn’t much better, charging $62.60 for a 69.4% increase. Grubhub was the cheapest of the three, but “cheapest” is relative here — the order still cost $61.26, or a 65.8% markup.

So no matter how you slice it, you’re paying a hefty premium for convenience. And remember, these totals also included a 15% tip, though tips are technically optional and can change based on what you select.

Price Changes Over Time

Interestingly, while the prices are still wild, the study showed that delivery markups have technically gotten smaller since 2023. Back then, the same order for delivery could vary by as much as $33.88 across cities, and the average markup was a whopping 93.8%. In 2025, that markup dropped to 68.6%.

That doesn’t mean delivery is cheap now, though. It just means the price increases slowed down slightly. Uber Eats in particular saw the biggest difference, with its markup dropping by 34.8% compared to 2023.

Why the Prices Are So High

It’s not just the food itself that’s driving up costs. Delivery app orders factor in a ton of extra charges beyond the base menu price — delivery fees, service fees, sales tax, and other city-specific fees. Those add-ons stack up fast, which is why your McDonald’s Happy Meal suddenly doesn’t feel so happy when you see the total at checkout.

The study points out that McDonald’s as a massive global chain can afford to keep its delivery markups lower compared to smaller restaurants. If you’re ordering from a local spot, the price increases could actually be higher — or sometimes lower, if the restaurant is running a promotion.

What This Means for Disney World Visitors

Here’s where it gets especially relevant for Disney fans. If you’ve ever driven around the Disney World property, you’ve probably spotted the giant McDonald’s near the All-Star Resorts. It’s one of the most popular fast food stops in the area, especially for families looking for a quick and relatively affordable meal.

But if you’re staying at a Disney hotel and thinking of having McDonald’s delivered to your room after a long park day, you might want to think twice. These delivery markups mean your $35 meal could balloon into $60 or more by the time it reaches your door. Considering how much you’re already spending on your Disney trip, that kind of extra cost can sting.

Picking up the food yourself is by far the cheaper option, but that requires leaving your resort and heading out to the standalone McDonald’s on property. For many guests, that might not be convenient after a long day at the parks, but it could save you a significant chunk of change. If you do choose delivery, check the apps for discount codes or promotions, since those can sometimes shave off a few dollars.

Bottom Line

Delivery apps are undeniably convenient, but that convenience comes at a cost — and in McDonald’s case, it’s a big one. With totals jumping from $36.95 in-store to over $62 with delivery, the study highlights just how pricey fast food can get when you let someone else bring it to your door. For Disney visitors eyeing that golden arches fix, it’s worth asking yourself: is skipping the drive-thru really worth $25 or more in extra fees?

In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.

Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation.

 

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Would you ever order McDonald’s delivery during a Disney trip, or would you make the trek to the on-property location? Let us know in the comments!