Given the numerous variables in pricing and service levels, comparing UPS and USPS rates has become increasingly difficult, especially for businesses shipping various products. Yet, knowing which carrier offers you more value can make or break your profit margins.
With 12 years of shipping and third-party logistics (3PL) experience, Red Stag Fulfillment understands the nuances of these rates and their implications for your business.
In this guide, we compare actual UPS and USPS rates and transit times to help you ship smarter and spend less.
TL;DR:
Key takeaways
USPS offers lower rates than UPS for most domestic, international, and flat-rate services, especially for smaller packages and slower delivery speeds.
UPS Ground is typically faster than USPS Ground Advantage.
UPS offers more expedited services, better tracking, higher weight and size thresholds, and flexible flat-rate shipping.
Shipping platforms offer discounted rates for UPS and USPS services, but they might not provide the same guarantees.
What you’ll learn
How rates and speed for UPS Ground and USPS Ground Advantage compare across different distances and package types
Price and transit-time comparisons for international shipments
How the prices and speed of UPS and USPS express services compare on domestic routes
Differences between UPS and USPS flat-rate shipping models—from price and volume thresholds to services offered at flat rates
Other factors that might affect total shipping costs, like pickup fees, size surcharges, weekend and residential delivery fees
UPS vs. USPS rates–comparison by package weight, distance, and speed
We compared UPS (United Parcel Service) and USPS (United States Postal Service) ground and expedited shipping rates across three distances:
Local—within Los Angeles County (Santa Clarita to Long Beach, ~69 miles)
Interstate—Los Angeles to Dallas (~1,415 miles)
Coast-to-coast—Los Angeles to New York (~2,450 miles)”
UPS vs. USPS ground rates
The three tables below compare UPS Ground and USPS Ground Advantage rates and transit times for packages sent via standard shipping across the aforementioned distances.
NOTE: The lower rate for each shipment is bolded to simplify comparison and identify pricing trends.
Local ground-shipping rates
| Local ground shipments–within Los Angeles County | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item | UPS Ground | Days in transit | USPS Ground Advantage | Days in transit |
| Book | $13.93 | 1 | $6.75 | 2 |
| Wrench set | $14.17 | 1 | $10.70 | 2 |
| Blender | $17.82 | 1 | $15.25 | 2 |
| Kettlebell | $40.29 | 1 | $43.10 | 2 |
| Guitar | $121.37 | 1 | $71.95 | 2 |
Interstate ground-shipping rates
| Medium-distance interstate ground shipments–Los Angeles to Dallas | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item | UPS Ground | Days in transit | USPS Ground Advantage | Days in transit |
| Book | $17.00 | 3 | $7.15 | 4 |
| Wrench set | $21.71 | 3 | $10.70 | 4 |
| Blender | $34.34 | 3 | $27.35 | 4 |
| Kettlebell | $98.84 | 3 | $99.95 | 4 |
| Guitar | $140.50 | 3 | $132.70 | 4 |
Coast-to-coast ground-shipping rates
| Coast-to-coast ground shipments—Los Angeles to New York | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item | UPS Ground | Days in transit | USPS Ground Advantage | Days in transit |
| Book | $23.39 | 4 | $7.35 | 6 |
| Wrench set | $25.98 | 4 | $21.20 | 6 |
| Blender | $45.23 | 4 | $40.65 | 6 |
| Kettlebell | $133.14 | 4 | $133.45 | 6 |
| Guitar | $179.58 | 4 | $167.70 | 6 |
NOTE: In these tables, we compared shipping costs across five different package types to show how rates vary based on size and weight. We used the following examples:
• Book (0.7 lbs, 12″ x 8″ x 4″): small, lightweight, and ideal for base-rate comparisons
• Wrench set (4 lbs, 14″ x 12″ x 4″): heavy for its size
• Blender (8 lbs, 19″ x 9″ x 11″): medium-density
• Kettlebell (45 lbs, 11″ x 8″ x 11″): dense and heavy
• Guitar (16 lbs, 50″ x 20″ x 8″): large and relatively light for its size, but doesn’t exceed either carrier’s limits for parcel shipping
UPS vs. USPS rate comparison for express shipping options
In the tables below, we compare the UPS and USPS rates for next-day expedited services across the aforementioned distances, using the same packages as those used for comparing ground shipping rates.
We compared UPS Next Day Air Saver—the most affordable UPS next-day option—with USPS Priority Mail Express 1-Day, USPS’ fastest domestic service.
Local express (next-day) rates
| Item | UPS Next Day Air Saver | USPS Priority Mail Express 1-Day |
|---|---|---|
| Book | $55.68 | $31.95 |
| Wrench set | $60.37 | $33.50 |
| Blender | $77.23 | $56.05 |
| Kettlebell | $154.01 | $148.10 |
| Guitar | $197.01 | $207.60 |
Interstate express rates
| Item | UPS Next Day Air Saver | USPS Priority Mail Express 1-Day |
|---|---|---|
| Book | $55.68 | $50.15 |
| Wrench set | $144.75 | $75.60 |
| Blender | $221.25 | $132.40 |
| Kettlebell | $504.66 | $346.45 |
| Guitar | $584.05 | $423.85 |
Coast-to-coast express rates
| Item | UPS Next Day Air Saver | USPS Priority Mail Express 1-Day |
|---|---|---|
| Book | $122.21 | $56.50 |
| Wrench set | $162.98 | $82.60 |
| Blender | $234.17 | $145.00 |
| Kettlebell | $580.56 | $377.85 |
| Guitar | $667.38 | $457.50 |
Commentary: USPS is the more affordable option than UPS for most next-day express shipments. However, UPS Express services typically provide more comprehensive tracking with greater visibility and detail, sometimes including real-time maps.
UPS vs. USPS flat-rate shipping costs compared
Flat-rate shipping eliminates distance and weight variables. You pay the same price whether the destination is a block away or across the country, as long as your package doesn’t exceed certain size, volume, and weight thresholds.
We’ll compare the prices of UPS and USPS for three items that qualify for flat-rate shipping with both carriers—the book, wrench set, and kettlebell*.
| Item | UPS flat rates | USPS flat rate |
|---|---|---|
| Book | $20.40 | $19.15 |
| Wrench set | $27.55 | $19.15 |
| Kettlebell | $32.80 | $26.30 |
*The assumed dimensions of the unpacked kettlebell are 9″ x 5.5″ x 10″, which makes it a close fit for USPS’ Large Flat Rate box.
Conclusions:
USPS offers lower flat-rate prices and accepts heavier packages (70 lbs vs. UPS’ 50-lb limit). However, UPS wins on flexibility across several service aspects:
Packaging: UPS Simple Rate allows you to use your own containers; whereas, USPS requires their flat-rate boxes.
Size limits: UPS allows larger volumes (1,728 vs. 1,200 cubic inches).
Service options: UPS offers multiple services in its Simple Rate program, while USPS only ships flat-rate through Priority Mail.
Coverage: UPS includes higher free coverage for flat-rate shipments ($100 vs. $50).
For more details, review parameters for USPS Priority Mail and UPS’ Simple Rate options.
UPS vs. USPS price comparison for international shipping services
We compared UPS and USPS prices for international shipments across three distances (New York to Vancouver, London, and Sydney) and four packages:
Hardcover book (2 lbs, 9″ x 6″ x 2″)
Painting (10 lbs, 40″ x 20″ x 7″)
Coffee machine (30 lbs, 15″ x 17″ x 20″)
Dumbbell (50 lbs, 8″ x 10″ x 14″)
The table below shows UPS’ and USPS’ most affordable and fastest service rates for these international shipments.
| UPS vs. USPS rates for international shipments | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. to Canada (New York to Vancouver) | ||||
| Item | UPS’ most affordable service | UPS’ fastest service | USPS’ most affordable service | USPS’ fastest service |
| Hardcover book | $33.83 | $148.07 | $30.90 | $59.50 |
| Painting | $116.47 | $585.28 | $82.70 | $124.75 |
| Coffee machine | $108.43 | $542.34 | $162.35 | $253.65 |
| Dumbell | $133.65 | $676.96 | $238.05 | $362.85 |
| U.S. to U.K. (New York to London) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item | UPS’ most affordable service | UPS’ fastest service | USPS’ most affordable service | USPS’ fastest service |
| Hardcover book | $185.73 | $253.49 | $49.00 | $81.60 |
| Painting | $785.85 | $1,008.86 | $117.25 | $117.25 |
| Coffee machine | $737.66 | $932.00 | $216.35 | $216.35 |
| Kettlebell | $908.75 | $1,188.96 | $302.75 | $319.00 |
| U.S. to Australia (New York to Sydney) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item | UPS’ most affordable service | UPS’ fastest service | USPS’ most affordable service | USPS’ fastest service |
| Hardcover book | $200.07 | $271.76 | $48.00 | $82.40 |
| Painting | $1,157.21 | $1,368.33 | $158.90 | $158.90 |
| Coffee machine | $1,068.51 | $1,253.70 | $332.90 | $362.65 |
| Kettlebell | $1,344.29 | $1,613.37 | $519.95 | $548.30 |
PRO TIP: Shipping platforms like PirateShip negotiate discounted rates with carriers and are often the most cost-effective way to ship via UPS and USPS. However, these platforms may not offer the same service guarantees as booking directly with the carriers. For example, PirateShip doesn’t guarantee delivery times, which means you won’t receive compensation for delays. To learn more, see our guide on the cheapest way to ship a package internationally.
UPS vs. USPS services overview
Although the differences between UPS and USPS services can be subtle (such as real-time tracking or Sunday deliveries), the key comparison point is delivery speed, which can be a make-or-break factor for ecommerce businesses.
The two tables below provide an overview of the key domestic services offered by the two carriers, along with their respective delivery times.
UPS services
| UPS Services | Delivery time |
|---|---|
| UPS Ground | 1–5 business days |
| UPS 3 Day Select | 3 business days |
| UPS 2nd Day Air | 2 business days |
| UPS Next Day Air Saver | Overnight delivery, typically by the end of the following business day |
| UPS Next Day Air | Overnight delivery, typically by 12 p.m. the following business day |
| UPS Next Day Air Early | Overnight delivery, typically by 8.30 a.m. the following business day |
| UPS Express Critical | Same-day delivery |
USPS services
| USPS Services | Delivery time |
|---|---|
| USPS Ground Advantage | 2–5 business days |
| USPS First Class Mail | 1–5 business days (for envelopes and postcards up to 13 oz) |
| USPS Priority Mail | 2–3 business days |
| USPS Priority Mail Express | 1–3 business days |
| USPS Connect Local | Same-day and next-day local delivery for businesses |
UPS vs. USPS 2025 rate changes
The rate increases for UPS and USPS services exceeded the U.S. inflation rate for 2024. For example, the average rate increase for UPS services was 5.9% between 2024 and 2025, while U.S. inflation was 2.9% in 2024.
If you’re running an ecommerce business, it’s wise to track these changes and conservatively include potential future rate fluctuations in your business plans. The table below shows the average UPS and USPS price changes per service group.
| UPS and USPS rate changes: 2024 vs. 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Service group | UPS | USPS |
| Enhanced services (priority and overnight) |
+5.9% | +3.2% |
| Ground shipping | +5.9% | +3.9% |
USP and USPS pros & cons
Understanding the advantages and drawbacks of UPS and USPS is imperative for developing a comprehensive shipping strategy that optimizes profitability and minimizes shipping risks.
Here are some of the most distinct advantages and drawbacks of the two carriers.
UPS pros and cons
UPS PROS:
Offers superior infrastructure for shipping large packages and freight transport
Provides same-day and multiple next-day delivery options
Has higher size and weight thresholds for parcel shipments
Features more advanced tracking options (including real-time maps)
Delivers to more countries
Offers a more flexible flat-rate shipping model
Facilitates well-planned and simple return processes
UPS CONS:
Charges higher rates than USPS (at similar shipping speeds)
Has no access to PO boxes and mailboxes
Does not offer free pickups
USPS pros and cons
USPS PROS:
Offers lower rates at similar service-speed levels, especially for smaller packages
Includes residential deliveries with no extra fees
Offers flexible weekend delivery options (Saturday at no extra charge, Sunday for Priority Mail Express with a $12.50 surcharge)
Delivers to PO boxes and mailboxes
Provides free packaging, including flat-rate boxes (available by request)
USPS CONS:
Offers fewer expedited service options
Provides limited tracking options for some services
Offers same-day delivery to local commercial shipments only
Protect your ecommerce business through a strategic partnership
If you’re running an ecommerce business, keeping track of shipping rates can be a constant challenge. From fluctuating rates to varying service levels, finding the best option to protect profit margins and meet customer expectations is no easy task.
That’s where Red Stag Fulfillment steps in. With over 12 years of experience in third-party logistics, our team performs ongoing price comparisons between carriers like UPS and USPS, ensuring you always get the best value for your shipments. Plus, clients benefit from volume-based shipping discounts negotiated on their behalf.
Beyond cost savings, Red Stag Fulfillment provides peace of mind through industry-leading guarantees, including 100% order accuracy and zero inventory shrinkage.
