Navigating UPS, USPS, and FedEx Delivery Times with 3PL Center Insights

Delivery speed is one of the biggest factors in customer satisfaction. Whether you ship with FedEx, UPS, or USPS, knowing their delivery windows helps you set accurate expectations, meet promises, and choose the right service for every order.

This guide covers the most common delivery times, weekend schedules, and holiday operations for each carrier — plus how partnering with 3PL Center can help you optimize shipping speed and cost.

Why Delivery Time Matters in E-Commerce

Delivery speed doesn’t just affect when a package arrives — it directly influences your bottom line. Studies show that slow or unreliable delivery can increase cart abandonment, reduce repeat purchases, and lead to more customer service inquiries.

For e-commerce merchants, even a one-day delay can be the difference between earning a loyal customer or losing them to a competitor. That’s why understanding carrier delivery schedules and choosing the right shipping service for each order is essential.

At 3PL Center, we help businesses use carrier delivery data strategically, ensuring customers get their orders on time while controlling costs.

UPS Delivery Times and Schedules

Typical UPS delivery hours

UPS Ground generally delivers to residential addresses between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., and commercial deliveries typically arrive during standard business hours (around 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

How late UPS delivers

Residential deliveries may extend as late as 9 p.m., particularly during busy periods. For more granular cutoff times by service level, you can check our dedicated guide: how late UPS delivers.

End-of-day meaning for UPS

For commercial addresses, “end of day” usually means around 5 p.m., while for residential addresses it extends to 9 p.m.

UPS delivery speed by service

Ground: 1–5 business days in the contiguous U.S., up to 6–7 days for long-distance shipments.

Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico: 3–7 business days.

Overnight: Next Day Air Early (by 8 am), Next Day Air (by 10:30 am), Next Day Air Saver (end of day).

Weekend deliveries with UPS

UPS delivers on Saturdays to residential and business addresses in select metro areas. Saturday pickups are also available, though not in Alaska or Hawaii.

Sunday deliveries with UPS

Sunday delivery is limited and available only in select regions via services like UPS SurePost and Express Critical.

UPS holiday schedule

UPS does not operate on key federal holidays including Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Delivery schedules may also be adjusted during adjacent dates.

FedEx Delivery Times and Schedules

Typical FedEx delivery hours

FedEx Ground delivers by the end of the business day, Monday through Friday. FedEx Home Delivery delivers to residential addresses up until 8 pm local time.

How late FedEx delivers

With FedEx Evening Home Delivery, packages arrive between 5 pm and 8 pm, Monday through Saturday. Date Certain Home Delivery allows you to schedule delivery on a specific day, within a 2‑hour window.

End-of-day meaning for FedEx

For FedEx Ground, “end of day” generally means around 5 pm. For FedEx Home Delivery, it extends to 8 pm.

FedEx delivery speed by service

Ground: 1–5 business days in the contiguous U.S., 3–7 days for Alaska and Hawaii.

Express Freight: 1–3 business days to most U.S. locations.

Overnight options:

First Overnight: by ~8–9:30 a.m.

Priority Overnight: by ~10:30 a.m.

Standard Overnight: by 5 p.m. (businesses) / 8 p.m. (residences)

Weekend deliveries with FedEx

FedEx Home Delivery includes Saturday delivery at no extra cost. Saturday delivery for overnight services is available in select areas for an additional fee.

Sunday deliveries with FedEx

On Sundays, FedEx Home Delivery delivers in certain areas at no additional charge.

FedEx holiday schedule

FedEx does not operate on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day for most services. Some Express and Freight services may have modified schedules.

USPS Delivery Times and Schedules

Typical USPS delivery hours

Delivery times vary depending on the carrier’s route. Priority Mail Express guarantees delivery by 3 pm.

How late USPS delivers

Carriers aim to finish by 6 pm, but during peak seasons, deliveries can occur as late as 10 pm.

End-of-day meaning for USPS

For USPS, “end of day” means when all mail on the route has been delivered, which can vary widely.

USPS delivery speed by service

Priority Mail: 1–3 business days (sometimes up to 4).

First-Class Package Service: 1–3 business days (sometimes up to 4).

Priority Mail Express: 1–2 days, guaranteed.

Retail Ground / Media Mail: 2–8 business days.

Weekend deliveries with USPS

USPS delivers on Saturdays for all services.

Sunday deliveries with USPS

Priority Mail Express is delivered on Sundays for an additional fee. During peak seasons, Sunday deliveries expand to certain metro areas at no extra charge.

USPS holiday schedule

Closed on all federal holidays, including New Year’s Day, MLK Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. See our updated USPS holiday schedule here.

How 3PL Center Helps You Meet Delivery Commitments

At 3PL Center, we work closely with FedEx, UPS, and USPS to help our clients choose the right carrier and service level for every shipment. Our team stays up to date on delivery windows, cutoff times, and weekend coverage so you can meet promises and keep customers happy.

We also:

Secure discounted small parcel rates through carrier partnerships.

Integrate real-time carrier tracking into our WMS so you and your customers always know where shipments are.

Leverage strategically located warehouses nationwide for faster transit times.

Use an address verification tool to prevent costly delivery exceptions.

Whether you’re shipping across the country or across borders, we’ll help you optimize speed, cost, and reliability. Book a call today to learn more.