Target Order Pickup and Drive Up, Explained
Target holds most Order Pickup and Drive Up orders for three days, then cancels and refunds them; orders with fresh or frozen food go sooner.
By Olivia HarperContributing writer. Policy checked .
On this page
Store policies change. This is a summary in our own words of Target's Drive Up and Order Pickup help pages, read on October 26, 2026. The official pages are the ones that apply; check them before you place an order.
Order Pickup and Drive Up in one minute
Both services are free ways to collect a Target.com or Target app order at your local store.
| Order Pickup | Drive Up | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you collect | Order Pickup or Guest Services desk inside | Drive Up parking spaces; staff bring it to your car |
| How to order | Target.com or the Target app | Target app (iOS or Android) or Target.com |
| Usually ready | Within 2 hours | Within 2 hours |
Target says some stores can take up to 6 hours; the item page or your cart shows the timing. You get an email, and app alerts if you turn them on, when the order is ready. Gift card orders cannot use either service.
How long Target holds your order
- Most orders: held for three days.
- Orders with fresh or frozen groceries: held until the store closes on the next business day.
- Starbucks added to a Drive Up order: kept for 30 minutes after you order; after that the drinks or food are thrown out.
You can extend the hold by three more days from the Order details page, as long as you do it before the first window ends. Orders with fresh or frozen groceries cannot be extended.
What happens if you do not pick it up
If the hold window passes, Target cancels the order on its own and refunds the original payment. Target's help pages do not list a fee for this. An order can also be canceled because an item ran out or a payment failed; Target emails the reason.
Drive Up hours
Target's Drive Up help pages do not publish set Drive Up hours. Check your store's details in the Target app or the store locator before you head out, especially early in the morning or close to closing time.
What to bring
For Order Pickup, show the pickup barcode from the Target app or the Order details page. Without it, a valid government-issued photo ID works, such as a driver's license, state ID, US passport or military ID. You do not need to show the card you paid with; Target charges it when the order is marked ready. For Drive Up, tell Target you are on your way in the app and park in a Drive Up spot.
Someone else can collect for you: Drive Up orders only by a shopping partner already invited to your account, Order Pickup also by an alternate person you add by name and email.
Bags and fees
Where local or state rules require it, Target charges for each bag used. Most stores let you choose to bring your own bags at checkout. Target authorizes ten bags when you order and then adjusts the charge to the number actually used.
Returns from a pickup order
Your return barcode appears once you have picked up the order. You can start a return online, take the barcode to a store, or, at most stores and for some items, choose a Drive Up return so staff collect the item from your car.
Sources
Drive Up and Order Pickup, How long will a store hold my order? and What happens if I don't pick up my order?, Target. Policy checked October 26, 2026.