Key Points:
- USPS Overnight is the fastest mail service offered by the US Post Office
- USPS Priority Mail Express ships your overnight packages in 1-2 business days with guaranteed delivery or your money back
- USPS Priority Express includes free pickup, tracking, proof of delivery, and shipping insurance
If you’re looking for fast shipping at an affordable price, USPS Overnight could be your best option. Just one thing: USPS Overnight actually goes by the name of USPS Priority Mail Express.
USPS Priority Mail Express lets you “overnight” packages in 1-2 business days guaranteed in the US. You can also use USPS Priority Mail Express for international shipments, which arrive in 3-5 days guaranteed.
USPS isn't known for being reliable, but its overnight service guarantees its delivery times. Perks of Priority Express include free pickup, tracking, proof of delivery, and insurance.
With Easyship, you can save up to 89% off all USPS shipping rates, including USPS Overnight. These pre-negotiated discount rates are available without any order minimums or courier account. Just compare and pick your rates to save automatically.
Use this article to learn everything you need to know about USPS Overnight shipping.
Table of Contents
01What is USPS Overnight?
02The Cost of USPS Overnight Shipping
03The Cheapest Way to Ship with USPS Overnight
04What is the Cutoff Time for USPS Overnight?
05USPS Overnight Shipping with Easyship
06USPS Overnight FAQ
What Is USPS Overnight?
USPS Overnight is the fastest mail service offered by the US Post Office. It runs year-round, Monday through Saturday. USPS Overnight, or Priority Mail Express, is available in three options depending on your delivery destination:
- Priority Mail Express 1 Day: Guaranteed delivery to most areas by 12 PM or 3 PM the next business day. For an added $5 fee, you can expedite delivery to 10:30 AM the next business day.
- Priority Mail Express 2 Day: Guaranteed delivery to any zip code not covered by Express 1 Day. Packages arrive by 12 PM or 3 PM of the second business day. Expedited delivery is available by 10:30 AM on the second business day for an added $5 fee.
- Priority Mail Express International: Guaranteed delivery to 190 countries in 3-5 business days.
Both Priority Mail Express services guarantee their delivery times. This means you can request a full refund of your postage if your package arrives late. You can request a refund within 30 days of the mailing date.
The following features are included in the USPS Overnight.
- Money-back guarantee
- Package tracking
- Insurance up to $100
- Signature confirmation
- Free USPS packaging
- Free package pickup (arrange online)
- Sunday/Holiday delivery (for an added $12.50 fee)
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.
The Cost of USPS Overnight Shipping
USPS Overnight, aka Priority Mail Express, offers guaranteed delivery in 1-2 business days. For Priority Mail International, delivery is guaranteed in 3-5 business days or your money back.
The cost of this service depends on your package weight and delivery destination, primarily. This means heavier packages traveling further will cost more.
That said, USPS lets you choose from three separate methods to determine your cost of service. Your USPS Overnight shipping cost can be calculated with one of the three following methods:
- Weight and zone: Your rate is based on package weight and the shipping zone. In other words, the cost is based on item weight plus distance to delivery. Higher-numbered zones are further away and cost more to ship to. Package weights are rounded up to the next pound and limited to 70 pounds. This is the best for smaller items traveling short distances.
- Dimensional weight: Dimensional weight is a fancy way of saying weight or size, whichever is greater. Your USPS Overnight cost will be based either on the actual weight or box dimensions, whichever costs more. This method is best for compact packages.
- Flat Rate: Flat Rate shipping is compatible with USPS Priority Mail Express. This means you’ll pay a flat price on domestic shipments under 70 pounds, regardless of their weight. This method is best for heavy items.
When you go to create a USPS Overnight shipment, you’ll be asked whether you want to ship Flat Rate or by weight. Generally, heavy packages can get better rates with a Flat Rate.
Related post: 2022 USPS Shipping Rate Changes
We’ll show you how to get the cheapest rate on USPS Overnight in the next section. But for now, here’s every US-domestic USPS Overnight shipping cost in a chart, based on weight and delivery zone.
The Cheapest Way to Ship with USPS Overnight
You can create a USPS Overnight shipment on USPS.com, or with Easyship. Let’s see what our rates are in both cases.
Say we’re shipping a 2-pound hoodie from Denver, CO to Los Angeles, CA. Here are the weight-based prices we see on the USPS site.
We’re shown our shipping rates alongside the available packaging. At $26.35, Priority Mail Express Flat Rate gets our hoodie to California by 3 PM the next business day. Turns out Flat Rate was the way to go for the lowest USPS Overnight costs.
Now let's plug the same shipment into Easyship’s “Get a Quote” feature. We see many options, but near the bottom, we see a cheaper rate on USPS Priority Mail Express.
With Easyship, we save around $4 on the listed rates for Priority Express on the USPS site. This is because Easyship is a direct partner of USPS, and gives users access to pre-negotiated USPS discount rates. In other words, all USPS shipments are cheaper when booked with Easyship.
What is the Cutoff Time for USPS Overnight?
How late can you drop off your USPS Priority Express package and have it arrive the next business day?
As you might expect, USPS Priority Express shipments go out every night of the week after the closing of business, except Sunday. USPS Overnight trucks leave the Post Office at 6 PM, following the Post Office’s end of business hours. USPS accepts packages up until they close.
To be safe, you have your package at the Post Office no later than 5:30-5:45. The postal clerk will accept your shipment and put it in the outgoing mail box.
Check with your local Post Office about their hours of business. Also ask about the latest cutoff point for accepting Overnight packages, as this may vary. If you’ve arranged for pickup online with USPS, your package should make the outgoing delivery truck.
USPS Overnight Shipping With Easyship
USPS Overnight, aka Priority Mail Express, offers guaranteed delivery in 1-2 business days. You can pay by weight or by Flat Rate prices. Either way, compared to FedEx Overnight, USPS Overnight is cheaper.
Want USPS Overnight costs for less? You can even save more money on your USPS shipments with Easyship. Start by creating a free Easyship account. You’ll save up to 89% off shipping rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and more than 250+ other global couriers.
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.
USPS Overnight FAQ
Is USPS overnight reliable?
Yes. USPS overnight is a Priority Mail Express service that offers a delivery guarantee by 3 pm the next day. If your package isn't delivered as promised, you can request a refund of the postage within 30 days.
Is USPS Overnight the same as the next day?
Yes. USPS Overnight is the same as next-day delivery. Packages are delivered the next day by 12:00 p.m or 3 pm.
FAQs
How does USPS overnight shipping work? ›
What is the cutoff time for USPS overnight shipping? The cutoff time for USPS overnight shipping is 6:00 pm. This means that your package must be postmarked by this time in order to be shipped overnight with a money-back guarantee. Anything postmarked after 6:00 pm will be shipped the following day.
Does USPS have guaranteed overnight delivery? ›USPS Priority Mail Express is a guaranteed way to send documents and packages to a destination overnight or in one to two days on any day of the year, including Sundays and holidays. If the US Postal Service doesn't deliver your package on time, they will refund the full delivery cost to you.
Is overnight shipping really overnight? ›Overnight delivery and next-day delivery mean the same thing. Both refer to shipping services that deliver a parcel on the following day. Remember, this refers to the next business day. Generally speaking, deliveries for express services will not make delivery during the weekend or on holidays.
How much does it cost to USPS overnight? ›Next-day delivery is available to most U.S. addresses and PO Boxes™2 with a money-back guarantee1. With our free Flat Rate Envelopes, you don't need to weigh shipments 70 lbs and under. Purchase Priority Mail Express postage and shipping labels at a Post Office™ location or online. Prices start at $28.75.
How long does USPS overnight take? ›Priority Mail Express takes anywhere from overnight to 2 days depending on the distance of the shipment. It is the fastest service offered by the United States Postal Service. Overnight delivery by 10:30 a.m. as well as holiday or Sunday deliveries are available for additional fees.
Is Priority Mail Express 1 day guaranteed? ›Priority Mail Express® service provides next-day to 2–day delivery service by 6 PM with a money–back guarantee1. You get competitive prices and fast delivery every day, all year, with limited exceptions, to most U.S. addresses and PO Boxes™3.
What if USPS overnight is late? ›If your Priority Mail package is not delivered on time, you are entitled to get a refund. 1-day delivery guarantees that your mail will be delivered on the next day, and 2-day delivery – that your package will be delivered two days later.
What happens if my overnight package is late USPS? ›USPS has a money-back guarantee for all Priority Mail Express packages. These packages should be delivered within two days and by 6:00pm local time at the recipient's address. If your shipment is not delivered by the label's Scheduled Delivery Date, you can request a postage refund.
What is the quickest overnight shipping? ›The fastest overnight delivery option is FedEx First Overnight. You can expect your package or envelope to be delivered by 8 a.m. the next business day in most areas.
How Guaranteed is overnight shipping? ›Is USPS overnight reliable? Yes. USPS overnight is a Priority Mail Express service that offers a delivery guarantee by 3 pm the next day. If your package isn't delivered as promised, you can request a refund of the postage within 30 days.
Does overnight mail require a signature? ›
Priority Mail Express with additional insurance. A signature is required if additional insurance is purchased or for Priority Mail Express Collect on Delivery (COD).
What is the best way to send overnight mail? ›For overnight delivery, the three services you should consider are the post office (USPS), the United Parcel Service (UPS), and Federal Express (FedEx). With the USPS, the guaranteed overnight service is called Priority Mail Express or sometimes shortened to Express. Regular Priority Mail is not guaranteed.
What is the cheapest way to overnight a package? ›Generally, USPS will be the cheapest option for packages under 2 lbs. Their Priority Mail Express Flat Rate shipping envelopes will be the best option for any shipment that will fit into them. For packages over 70 lbs, the cheapest option will be UPS or FedEx.
Is USPS overnight cheaper than UPS? ›UPS is often more expensive than USPS due to fees and surcharges, especially when it comes to shipping smaller packages. Generally, USPS offers much better rates when shipping smaller packages of less than two pounds. UPS typically is a better choice when shipping larger, heavier packages by offering superior value.
Which is cheaper FedEx or UPS overnight? ›If we compare UPS and FedEx domestic services, UPS is cheaper than FedEx. What is this? UPS is recognized as the best option for domestic package shipments as it offers cheaper shipping rates, while FedEx ranks as the most expensive carrier.
Is USPS overnight faster than UPS? ›Overnight domestic deliveries: UPS is faster than USPS. UPS offers same-day pick-up and next-day delivery with several parcel delivery options, like early morning, mid-day, and end of the day. The USPS offers a Priority Mail 1-Day option, but it's not time-sensitive. It will be delivered by 6 pm the next day.
Does USPS have 1-day delivery? ›Priority Mail Express is the fastest mail service offered by the Postal Service. It provides guaranteed 1-Day or 2-Day expedited service by 3 p.m. for any mailable matter and includes $100 of insurance coverage. Priority Mail Express delivery is offered 365 days a year in many locations.
Is USPS or UPS overnight faster? ›UPS vs USPS: which one is faster? For overnight domestic deliveries, UPS is faster than USPS, providing shipping solutions with same-day pick-up and guaranteed delivery by 8h on the next day. The quickest transport service offered by USPS is the Priority Mail 1-Day, with which the parcel gets delivered by 15h.
Is Priority express the same as overnight? ›Our speediest domestic service, Priority Mail Express®, delivers your packages overnight to most locations. Its benefits include: Guaranteed overnight delivery to most locations in the U.S. Tracking Services.
How much is priority express overnight? ›| Price | Guarantees | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority Mail | $7.75 & up | No |
| Priority Mail Express | $26.35 & up | Standard |
| Fedex Overnight | $23.94 & up | Standard |
| UPS Next Day | $23.38 & up | Standard |
Does USPS overnight deliver on Saturday? ›
boxes, overnight delivery is available with a money-back guarantee. Commercial and residential services are both available. Monday-Saturday, typically from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (but can run later depending on volume of deliveries). Sunday/holiday service available at an additional cost in select major markets.
What happens if I pay for overnight shipping UPS and not arrived? ›Any UPS ground or express packages that don't arrive on time are completely free to you. However, you probably won't be surprised to hear that UPS doesn't automatically refund you after a late delivery. It's your responsibility to file a claim with the company to request a refund.
Does USPS tracking update overnight? ›The USPS typically updates your status within 24-48 hours. When tracking your package, you should have your tracking information ready. To understand how often USPS tracking updates, let us look at how USPS shipment tracking works.
How late are overnight packages delivered? ›The cutoff time for overnight shipping with most couriers is usually between 6 PM and 7 PM. You can use USPS over the weekends, but you'll have to pay an additional charge on Sunday deliveries.
Do packages move overnight? ›An overnight shipment must be scheduled and either dropped off or picked up by a specific cutoff time, usually late afternoon or early evening. It is then processed and transported during the night, so that it can be delivered to the recipient before the end of the next business day.
How long before priority mail is considered lost? ›Priority Mail® Service
If seven (7) or more days have passed since the date of mailing and the recipient has confirmed the item has not arrived, you may either submit a search request for your lost mailpiece and/or email us.
The quickest way to submit a refund request is online. You may also take your customer copy of the Priority Mail Express® label to your local Post Office and complete a PS Form 3533, Application and Voucher for Refund of Postage and Fees. Once verified, your refund will be paid by cash or a no-fee money order.
What is the most reliable overnight shipping? ›- Best For Logistics: ShipBob.
- Best For Reliable Overnight Delivery: UPS.
- Best For Overnight Saturday Deliveries: FedEx.
- Best For International Express Shipping: DHL.
- Best For Shipping Options: Easyship.
The Priority Mail Express Flat Rate® Envelope guarantees next-day and second-day delivery or your money back. This product ships in single envelopes (1-5), or a pack of 10 envelopes. For more information, please visit the Shipping Page.
What is the difference between priority mail and overnight mail? ›Overnight delivery is even available on weekends and holidays, for an added fee. Unlike Priority Mail, Express Mail guarantees delivery lead times. If your package is not delivered on time, you can apply for a refund of the postage paid. This faster, guaranteed service is more expensive than Priority Mail.
What happens if a package needs a signature and no one is home? ›
If the shipment requires a direct or adult signature, then someone must be available to sign in person. If someone is not home to sign for a direct or adult signature, the courier will leave a door tag or reattempt delivery.
Is FedEx Overnight better than USPS? ›FedEx has a better reputation for reliability, in addition to its tracking and customer service. There's a price you pay for that, though, and the price is a higher cost. FedEx is also a more reliable shipping partner for specific types of shipments.
Which is cheaper FedEx or USPS? ›...
Is It Cheaper to Ship FedEx or USPS?
| Courier Service | Delivery Lead Time | Starting Cost |
|---|---|---|
| USPS Priority Mail Express 1-Day | 1 business days | $53.20 |
If you'd like packages delivered directly to customer mailboxes or PO boxes, USPS would be the way to go. FedEx and UPS are better options for larger, heavier packages. FedEx specializes in speed over long distances, so if it is urgent, FedEx might be the better option.
How much does it cost to overnight an envelope with USPS? ›Is There A Flat Rate Overnight Service? USPS does offer some Flat Rate options when using the Priority Mail Express service, but only 3. You can choose a Flat Rate Envelope for $26.95, a Legal Flat Rate Envelope for $27.10, or a Padded Flat Rate Envelope for $27.50.
Does UPS have overnight letter delivery? ›Just one thing: there is no UPS Overnight. Next-day delivery is available from UPS, but it goes by one of three service names: UPS Next Day Air® UPS Next Day Air® Early.
Who has guaranteed overnight delivery? ›For overnight delivery, the three services you should consider are the post office (USPS), the United Parcel Service (UPS), and Federal Express (FedEx). With the USPS, the guaranteed overnight service is called Priority Mail Express or sometimes shortened to Express. Regular Priority Mail is not guaranteed.
Does USPS do 1 day shipping? ›Priority Mail Express is the fastest mail service offered by the Postal Service. It provides guaranteed 1-Day or 2-Day expedited service by 3 p.m. for any mailable matter and includes $100 of insurance coverage. Priority Mail Express delivery is offered 365 days a year in many locations.
Is UPS or USPS better for overnight? ›There is no USPS overnight service. Their Priority Mail Service is the closest to the overnight option. UPS, on the other hand, has its own overnight package that delivers in record time. The UPS overnight shipping cost varies according to the overnight package you choose.
What happens if I pay for overnight shipping and it doesn't arrive? ›If your Priority Mail Express mailpiece is not delivered by the guaranteed time, you can request a refund at USPS.com.
What is the safest way to overnight a package? ›
USPS calls their overnight shipping Priority Mail Express with an overnight guarantee. This service is best for time-sensitive letters and documents. Available seven days a week, overnight shipping is guaranteed or your money back.
Which is better for overnight mail? ›USPS Priority Mail Express is the overall best overnight shipping service, provided your packages always weigh less than 70 pounds, and you aren't shipping anything hazardous or in need of refrigeration.
Is FedEx faster than USPS? ›FedEx vs USPS
USPS Priority Mail is twice as fast as FedEx Ground, delivering in two days rather than four. The Postal Service also has the advantage of being able to deliver to PO box addresses. FedEx Ground is cheaper than USPS Priority Mail: $38.90 vs. $44.55 for the 10 pound package we compared.
1-3 Business Days1 & Flat Rate Pricing
Priority Mail® service includes tracking and delivery in 1-3 business days1. Check delivery time estimates on the Priority Mail Delivery Map. Priority Mail Flat Rate® lets you ship packages up to 70 lbs to any state at the same price.
Is FedEx or USPS more reliable? FedEx has a better reputation for reliability, in addition to its tracking and customer service. There's a price you pay for that, though, and the price is a higher cost. FedEx is also a more reliable shipping partner for specific types of shipments.