How much does it cost to ship a mattress? [Cheapest method]

Shipping a mattress is more complex and expensive than standard deliveries. Whether you’re moving, selling mattresses online, or buying from a retailer, you’re looking at costs ranging from $130-280 for ground shipping across the U.S., with premium services reaching $1,500+ for cross-country delivery.

In this guide, you’ll learn exact costs for ground shipping, express delivery, and LTL freight across various distances. We’ll compare rates from major carriers, explore money-saving alternatives like moving companies, and share practical tips to reduce your shipping costs.

What determines a mattress’s shipping cost?

The cost of shipping a mattress depends on several key variables:

• Shipping carrier and service type
  Ground shipping via traditional carriers (e.g., USPS, UPS) is usually the most cost-effective, while freight services like LTL (Less Than Truckload) and air freight are faster but more expensive.
• Size and weight
  Larger and heavier mattresses require more fuel, cargo space, and handling.
• Distance
  Shipping costs significantly increase with distance.
• Delivery speed
  Standard shipping offers the best value, while express options like overnight service come with significant premium charges.
• Special handling
  White-glove delivery and difficult delivery locations add significant costs due to extra labor and services.
• Additional fees
  Dimensional weight pricing is charged instead of weight for large packages, plus, large packages can incur additional oversize charges. Seasonal surcharges, packing services, and insurance also raise costs.

Traditional carrier rates

Traditional carriers like USPS, FedEx, and UPS often provide the most cost-effective mattress shipping options. These carriers offer various service tiers, from economical ground shipping to premium express delivery. 

However, size and weight restrictions play a crucial role in determining whether you can use these services.

Before choosing a traditional carrier, consider their dimensional restrictions:

• USPS: Maximum 70 lbs with 130″ combined length and girth
• FedEx and UPS: Up to 150 lbs with 165″ combined length and girth

These limitations mean traditional carriers work best for foam mattresses that can be compressed and vacuum-sealed. Even then, oversized packages may trigger additional fees. 

For example, FedEx applies surcharges to packages exceeding 96″ in length or 130″ in combined length and girth.

Additional cost considerations

When calculating total shipping costs, factor in these supplementary expenses:

• Packaging materials: $15-30 per shipment for proper protection
• Insurance: Approximately 1% of declared value
• Handling surcharges: $5-15 per package based on size and weight
• Carrier-specific fees: Fuel surcharges and residential delivery fees can increase total cost by 10-15%

Real-world example

To illustrate typical costs, consider shipping a full-size mattress with these specifications:

• Weight: 50 pounds (22.6 kg)
• Compressed dimensions: 18″ x 18″ x 48″ (45.7 x 45.7 x 121.9 cm)

Use the following carrier calculators to check shipping rates for your mattress:

• UPS
• FedEx
• USPS

Cheapest shipping costs

Priority shipping costs

If you need to get your mattress to its destination quickly, you’ll need to use expedited shipping methods. Here are the estimated costs:

LTL freight services

LTL (Less Than Truckload) freight services are ideal for shipping items that are too large for standard shipping but not enough to justify a full truckload—such as spring mattresses. LTL services typically handle shipments under 15,000 lbs (6803.88 kg).

Major LTL services include FedEx Freight, Estes, and ABF.

Costs are determined based on:

• Freight class (determined by density, value, and handling requirements)
• Shipping distance and speed
• Additional services needed (like liftgate or residential delivery)

While the exact cost varies between carriers, LTL shipping often provides better value than parcel services when dealing with heavier items or shipping multiple products together. 

The key advantages of LTL freight shipping include:

• Higher weight capacity limits compared to standard shipping
• Combine multiple items into a single cost-effective shipment
• Liftgates for easier loading and unloading

Real-world example

Here’s a table comparing the costs of LTL shipping the mattress from above. We used FreightQuote (freight class 175) to calculate shipping from and to residential addresses with lift gate charges:

PRO TIP: Consider shipping to and from a business address. This will save you the lift gate charge and can reduce overall shipping costs.

Don’t forget to consider factors beyond price, such as: 

• Transit times
• Service reliability
• Damage claim processes

Alternative methods

While shipping a mattress on its own can be costly, there are several cost-effective alternatives when moving your mattress along with other furniture:

Moving company

Moving companies offer full-service relocation that includes your mattress along with other furniture, providing comprehensive protection at premium rates. 

Truck rental

Rental trucks are likely the most budget-friendly option, particularly for local moves, but you must handle all loading and securing yourself.

Moving pods

Moving pods strike a balance between convenience and flexibility. They let you load at your own pace and provide temporary storage if needed. Though more expensive than truck rentals, they eliminate the pressure of same-day moving. 

Peer-to-peer shipping

For a more modern approach, peer-to-peer shipping services like GoShare and Roadie connect you with independent transporters. Their costs fluctuate based on distance, availability, and current demand, making them ideal for shorter distances.

International shipping

Before considering international mattress shipping, understand that it’s rarely cost-effective. 

The shipping costs often exceed the mattress value, making it more practical to sell or donate your current mattress and purchase a new one at your destination.

However, if you still need to ship a mattress internationally, here’s a comprehensive breakdown of what you’ll encounter:

Required documentation 

Every international shipment requires proper documentation, which varies by destination country. At a minimum, you must include a customs declaration form that details:

Additional costs 

Beyond base shipping rates, international mattress shipment involves several extra fees:

Real-world example

To illustrate typical costs, here’s what you might pay to ship a 50-pound mattress from New York City to London using standard carrier services:

Cost-saving tips

Want to save money on mattress shipping? Here are six proven ways to reduce shipping costs:

• Compress your mattress
  Vacuum-seal and roll foam mattresses to cut down on dimensional weight charges.
• Compare carriers
  Get quotes from different shipping companies—rates can vary greatly for the same routes.
• Choose ground shipping
  Opt for slower ground shipping when time isn’t crucial to save more.
• Bundle shipments
  Ship your mattress with other items to spread out the costs across the entire shipment.
• Consider replacement
  Weigh shipping costs against buying a new mattress at your destination—replacement may be cheaper.
• Use discounts
  Take advantage of seasonal promotions and platform deals to lower shipping costs.

Don’t lose sleep over shipping costs

Whether you’re shipping a single mattress or running an ecommerce business, understanding your shipping options helps control costs while ensuring safe delivery. For individuals, traditional carriers offer good value for compressed foam mattresses, while LTL freight services work better for traditional mattresses.

For businesses shipping regularly, partnering with a 3PL like Red Stag Fulfillment can optimize costs through carrier relationships and strategic warehouse locations. Our expertise in heavy and oversized fulfillment provides reliable, cost-effective delivery.

Ready to ship? Contact Red Stag Fulfillment to learn how we can help reduce your mattress shipping costs while maintaining reliable delivery.

Mattress Shipping Cost FAQ