The Best Shipping and Mailing Services in the US

The United States Postal Service (USPS) remains a very popular eCommerce shipping option due to its affordable rates. But how does USPS domestic shipping compare to other popular express couriers?
The Best Shipping and Mailing Services in the US
3 Min Read
February 2, 2023
Jules
3 min read
Feb 2, 2023

Key Points:

  • Domestic delivery time frames vary, and depend on the distance your parcel is traveling and the speed your chosen service offers
  • On average, couriers will ship items that weigh no more than 150 pounds with a length no longer than 108 inches, and girth + length more than 165 inches
  • If you’re looking to offer a speedy delivery service to your customers, USPS offers the Priority Mail Express service, which promotes an “overnight delivery guarantee” to most US addresses

US-based merchants are spoiled for choice when it comes to domestic courier availability.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) remains a very popular option due to its affordable shipping rates and its federal mandate that requires it to deliver to every address in the United States.

But how does USPS domestic shipping compare to other popular express couriers? In this post, we aim to demystify domestic shipping by comparing USPS service offerings against other competitors in the U.S. shipping landscape.

Domestic Shipping Options in the US

Here are the popular couriers that eCommerce businesses look to for handling their U.S. domestic shipping:

How Long Does Domestic Shipping Take?

Domestic delivery time frames vary, and depend on the distance your parcel is traveling and the speed your chosen service offers.

Some couriers provide same-day local delivery, while delivery outside a metro area or within the same state can average between 1-3 business days depending on the speed of service chosen.

For cross-country shipping, you can expect the average time frame to be around 5 days if you’re using a ground solution, with the shortest being from 1-3 days for air freight and some being as long as 6-8 days.

What's the Cheapest Way to Ship a Package Domestically in the US?

eCommerce shipping costs depend on the following factors:

  • Weight of your parcel
  • Dimensions of your parcel’s packaging
  • The distance your parcel will travel

One way to easily compare domestic shipping prices is to use Easyship’s Get A Quote feature.

In the following examples, we will see how much it costs to ship a 3-pound package in a box similar to the size of USPS’ Small Flat Rate Box, across different distances.

Rates for a 3 lb parcel, 5 in x 10 in x 5 in, from New York City to Los Angeles:

*Easyship's Negotiated Rates

As you can see from the screenshot above, UPS Ground is the best value option with the fastest delivery, however USPS - Media is the most affordable.

Rates for a 3 lb parcel, 5 in x 10 in x 5 in, from New York to Chicago:

*Easyship's Negotiated Rates

When shipping across states, USPS and UPS remain competitive, both offering low prices, plus great discounts with Easyship.

When shipping across the country, USPS seems to be the most economical option. The ground services offered by express couriers still have slightly longer delivery time frames and are pricier than USPS.

However, if you are looking for a speedy solution that delivers during a specific time frame and provides frequent tracking, there may be value in using an express courier that charges a higher rate.

{{ discover-the-cheapest-shipping-from-usps-ups-and-fedex }}

What's the Cheapest Way to Ship Large Packages Domestically?

Each courier has different size restrictions, so the " large " definition will vary.

On average, couriers will ship items that weigh no more than 150 pounds with a length no longer than 108 inches, and girth + length more than 165 inches. Anything larger than these dimensions could qualify as a freight shipment.

For items that are below these restrictions, it’s advised to keep the shape of the shipment as a square or rectangular box, as couriers can charge extra fees for odd-shaped packaging.

The materials of your packaging also matter; if you use wood or metal, extra fees can also be charged.

How to Offer Fast Shipping Domestically

If you’re looking to offer a speedy delivery service to your customers, USPS offers the Priority Mail Express service, which promotes an “overnight delivery guarantee” to most US addresses.

Here’s how it compares to other express couriers:

Example overnight rates for a 3 lb parcel, 5 in x 10 in x 5 in, from Denver to Seattle

*Easyship's Negotiated Rates
**Retail Rates

On pricing alone, UPS Next Day Air® wins, offering the cheapest overnight rate. Still, Easyship data reflects that delays may happen. However, UPS manages to deliver within 1 day most of the time.

USPS Domestic Shipping: The Economical Option for SMBs

Our price comparisons show that both UPS and USPS are great couriers to choose from. However, SMBs continue to rely on USPS’ Priority Mail services as the most economical option to handle their domestic standard shipping: their rates are affordable, the 1-3 day time frames are acceptable, and they legally have to deliver to all US addresses.

However, when it comes to the UPS vs. FedEx vs. USPS debate, express couriers still offer a lot of value to SMBs who are willing to pay for speedy, reliable services that must deliver between specific time frames, or require special solutions such as frequent tracking services to appeal to a more demanding clientele.

{{ ship-for-less-with-any-courier-guaranteed }}

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Key Points:

  • Domestic delivery time frames vary, and depend on the distance your parcel is traveling and the speed your chosen service offers
  • On average, couriers will ship items that weigh no more than 150 pounds with a length no longer than 108 inches, and girth + length more than 165 inches
  • If you’re looking to offer a speedy delivery service to your customers, USPS offers the Priority Mail Express service, which promotes an “overnight delivery guarantee” to most US addresses
Get Your Ship Together.

By submitting the form, you agree to receive marketing emails from Easyship.

Save up to 91% on Shipping. Try for free.

Effortlessly compare 550+ courier services with one global account. Instant discounts. Start in minutes.

Shipping Internationally? Unsure What Tariffs or Duties Apply?
Try our FREE Tax & Duty Calculator

Trying to stay up to date on the latest cross-border shipping and import requirements? Get an instant estimate of all applicable taxes and duties for every country across 220+ global destinations or sign up and take advantage of our in-built HS Code lookup tool.

Calculate Tax & Duties Instantly (Free Tool)
Ready to Stop Overpaying for Shipping?
Try our FREE Shipping Rate Calculator

Looking for the cheapest way to ship a package? Get an instant shipping quote and compare rates from 550+ courier services across the United States, Canada, UK, Australia, and more. Simply add your package size and delivery location, and you'll find the best deal in seconds.

Calculate Rates Instantly (Free Tool)
Planning Your Campaign?

Get in touch with us now and our shipping consultants can give you a detailed quote and additional info to help with your campaign.

Get in touch
The Cheapest Shipping from USPS, UPS & FedEx

Find the guaranteed cheapest rates for any courier in seconds with Easyship’s free shipping rate calculator. Compare discount rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 250+ couriers at a glance.

GET RATE QUOTES FREE
The Cheapest Shipping from USPS, UPS & FedEx

Find the guaranteed cheapest rates for any courier in seconds with Easyship’s free shipping rate calculator. Compare discount rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 250+ couriers at a glance.

GET RATE QUOTES FREE
Get in touch with our fulfillment experts!

We believe simple pricing is the best pricing. Get a quote with a simplified pricing structure and no hidden fees.

Contact us
Need help fulfilling your crowdfunding campaign?

We provide the necessary tools needed to keep you on budget for shipping and to safely deliver your product to backers around the world.

Learn more
Try our duty & tax calculator!

Need to estimate your shipping duties & taxes? Our calculator can give you an idea of what to expect.

TRY IT NOW
Save up to 91% on Shipping. Try for free.

Compare 550+ courier services with one global account. Start in minutes.

GET STARTED FOR FREE
Get a Free Quote for Your Campaign

Receive a personal cost estimate for your crowdfunding campaign from our trusted global fulfillment partners. Easyship is a certified Indiegogo partner.

GET FREE QUOTE
Looking for great rates from a top courier?

Save up to 74% on UPS shipping rates by shipping with Easyship. You can run a quote and generate your first shipments in literally minutes!

SHIP WITH UPS TODAY
The cheapest way to ship for eCommerce

Get instant access with volume-discounted shipping rates. Save up to 89% off on USPS, UPS, FedEx, and more. Easyship is free for 50 shipments each month.

SIGN UP FREE TO SAVE
Find your perfect fulfillment partner with expert help

Let Easyship connect you to the largest shipping and fulfillment network on Earth. You’ll find trusted partners for all things logistics. Guidance is free from our global shipping experts.

ASK AN EXPERT
Don’t miss our money and time-saving features!

Explore the powerful features that 100K+ merchants use to ship smarter, not harder. Shipping automation, live rates at checkout, live duty and tax – all free to try with Easyship.

EXPLORE ALL FEATURES
Start saving on shipping in seconds

Create your free Easyship account to streamline shipping and save with discounted rates. No hidden fees. No minimums. Just savings.

CREATE YOUR FREE ACCOUNT
Create Your Shipping Policy Free

Use our guided walk-through to build the perfect shipping policy for your eCommerce business.

CREATE YOUR POLICY FREE
Looking to intergrate your Shopify store?

With 550+ pre-negotiated shipping services available with discounts of up to 91%, you can save time & money today when you integrate your Shopify store with Easyship

REGISTER FOR FREE
Use Easyship Free Every Month

Easyship is free to use for 50 shipments every month. You’ll save big on our discounted shipping rates up to 91% off, and save time with smart automation. Signup is fast and free.

CREATE YOUR FREE ACCOUNT
Don’t miss the key steps to fulfillment success

Follow the easy path to fulfillment success. Easyship’s free fulfillment checklist provides a proven step-by-step so you can ship at scale without the guesswork.

VIEW THE CHECKLIST
Ship for less with any courier, guaranteed

Save up to 89% off all shipping rates. Easyship offers the guaranteed cheapest volume-discounted rates on the market from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 250+ global couriers.

SIGN UP TO SAVE
Don’t miss all our money and time-saving features!

Explore the innovative features that 100K+ merchants use to ship smarter, not harder. Shipping automation, live rates at checkout, live duty and tax – all free to try with Easyship.

EXPLORE FEATURES
Want the cheapest rates?

Register for an Easyship account today and you will gain access to the cheapest rates, instantly.

REGISTER FOR FREE
Watch out for international duty and tax!

What exactly does it cost to ship cross-border? Use the free duty and tax calculator from Easyship to view accurate import costs for any shipment to anywhere.

USE FREE
Protect Your Crowdfunding Budget from Cost Creep

Prices are rising, deliveries are slowing. Get up to speed on the state of crowdfunding shipping with expert Easyship analysis and keep your campaign on budget.

LEARN MORE
Discover the Cheapest Shipping from USPS, UPS & FedEx

Find the guaranteed cheapest rates for any courier in seconds with Easyship’s free shipping rate calculator. Compare discount rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 550+ courier services at a glance.

GET A FREE QUOTE
Discover Your Cheapest Way to Ship

Find the guaranteed cheapest shipping in seconds with Easyship’s free shipping rate calculator. Compare discounted rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 250+ global couriers at a glance.

COMPARE RATES FREE
Compare the best rates in seconds

Get an instant estimate of the cheapest shipping rates with our free calculator tool.

GET FREE RATE QUOTES
Save money on every shipment

Save up to 91% off shipping with Easyship’s discount courier rates. Create your free account to save instantly on 550+ courier services, including USPS.

CREATE YOUR FREE ACCOUNT
Ready to ship internationally?

Get help from our global shipping experts on warehousing, global shipping and to connect with our network of trusted 3PLs.

GET FREE SHIPPING TIPS
How’s Your Covid Shipping Policy?

Use our free shipping policy generator to formulate your safest, most customer-friendly shipping policy in seconds.

GET YOUR SHIPPING POLICY
Try Pre-generated Return Labels For Free

Register for an Easyship account today and get 30-days access to a Premier plan with access to Pre-generated Return Labels.

Generate Return Labels Today
Discover the Cheapest Shipping from USPS, UPS® & FedEx

Find the guaranteed cheapest rates for any courier in seconds with Easyship’s free shipping rate calculator. Compare discount rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 250+ couriers at a glance.

GET RATE QUOTES FREE
Get Up to Speed On Covid Shipping

Explore our Covid shipping resources to make sure your shipment arrives on time and in good condition.

LEARN MORE
Free Shipping for the Holidays 101

Learn how the leading brands offer free shipping, calculate costs, and ship on a budget for the holidays in our free shipping guidebook.

LEARN MORE
Your Perfect Shipping Policy, Ready in Minutes

Use Easyship’s free shipping policy generator to formulate your perfect holiday shipping policy for returns, tracking, and more. Just follow the prompts and you’re done!

GET YOUR SHIPPING POLICY
Scale Your Growth Internationally With Pro Tips

Learn how to ship internationally without missing a step. Our case studies show you proven tactics for shipping worldwide from Easyship users who did it right.

READ CASE STUDIES
No items found.
Share on:

Related Articles

No items found.