Does USPS Deliver on Saturday? A Complete Guide

Do you need your mail or package delivered over the weekend? Many people wonder “does USPS deliver on Saturday?” and if they can get their items sooner than Monday. The short answer is yes, the United States Postal Service does offer Saturday delivery for certain mail classes and services.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about USPS Saturday (and Sunday) delivery options. We’ll explain which services include weekend arrival, typical delivery times, any potential extra costs, and tips to ensure your shipment arrives when expected. Let’s dive in!

USPS Saturday Delivery Explained

The United States Postal Service delivers mail and packages on Saturdays. Saturday is considered a regular business day for USPS operations and mail carriers. However, not all USPS mail classes and services include Saturday delivery as a standard option.

The main USPS services that do provide Saturday delivery are:

• Priority Mail
• Priority Mail Express
• First-Class Mail
• First-Class Package Service
• USPS Retail Ground

Of these, Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express are perhaps the most popular options that allow you to get your packages on a Saturday. We’ll cover the specific details of these services later.

Some services like USPS Marketing Mail (formerly Standard Mail) and Periodicals are typically not delivered on Saturdays unless there are backlogs or special circumstances. Media Mail and Library Mail also do not have set Saturday delivery.

USPS Saturday Delivery Times

USPS aims to have most Saturday deliveries completed by 5 PM local time. However, the actual mail carrier stop times can vary significantly depending on factors like package volume, staffing, transportation routes, weather conditions, and more.

During regular times, you can generally expect USPS Saturday deliveries to arrive by mid-afternoon. But in peak delivery seasons like holidays, carriers may be out making deliveries as late as 8 PM or later to complete all their rounds.

There’s no set start time for Saturday USPS deliveries, as mail carriers simply continue their normal routes from the previous day. But you’ll generally start seeing USPS trucks out on the roads again by late morning on Saturdays.

Is There a Cost for Saturday USPS Delivery?

One of the best things about USPS’s Saturday delivery is that it doesn’t cost any extra fees or surcharges for most services. If you use Priority Mail, First-Class, or Retail Ground, you’ll pay the same rates whether your shipment arrives on a weekday or Saturday.

The one exception is for Priority Mail Express, USPS’s overnight guaranteed service. While Priority Mail Express does include Saturday delivery at no added cost, there is an extra $12.50 fee for deliveries on Sundays or holidays.

But for the majority of USPS customers, you won’t pay any Saturday delivery surcharges from the Postal Service.

What If My USPS Package Doesn’t Arrive Saturday?

If you were expecting your USPS package or mail to arrive on Saturday per the service you paid for but it didn’t show up, don’t panic yet. Delivery dates can shift due to unexpected delays, severe weather, or other disruptions.

The first step is to check the current status and tracking for your item on the USPS website or with their mobile app. That will let you know if your package is still in transit or if it missed the Saturday delivery for some reason.

Your package should have been delivered according to the USPS service selected. Visit or call your local Post Office to inquire about a refund or re-delivery.

For Priority Mail Express with its money-back guarantee, USPS should automatically issue you a refund if it missed the delivery date. But you’ll want to follow up if that doesn’t happen.

Tracking USPS Saturday Shipments

Speaking of tracking, USPS offers free tracking for all of its mail classes that include Saturday delivery as an option. This allows you to get updates on your package’s progress, including an estimated or rescheduled delivery date if needed.

Beyond just entering your tracking number manually, USPS also has a free service called Informed Delivery that can notify you about upcoming deliveries. You’ll receive an email each morning with greyscale images of letter-sized mail pieces arriving that day. For packages, you’ll get a text or email alert when it’s out for delivery.

To track a USPS Saturday delivery, use Informed Delivery and the USPS mobile app to monitor when your shipment arrives.

USPS Sunday Delivery Overview

We’ve covered USPS Saturday deliveries in-depth so far. But what about Sunday? Does the Postal Service deliver mail or packages on Sundays too?

The answer is… sometimes. USPS has limited Sunday delivery for certain services. Specifically:

• Priority Mail Express packages can be delivered on Sundays for an additional fee. This is part of the money-back guaranteed service.
• Packages shipped through USPS’s partnership with Amazon are delivered on Sundays. This allows Amazon Prime orders to get weekend delivery.

However, USPS does not provide Sunday delivery for any other services like First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, or Retail Ground. The Postal Service’s standard mail operations are closed on Sundays.

Tips for Weekend USPS Deliveries

Want to increase your chances of getting USPS deliveries on Saturday or Sunday? Here are some tips to help ensure smooth weekend service:

• Use Priority Services – Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express give you the best odds of weekend arrival compared to First-Class or other services.
• Check Shipping Deadlines – Most Post Office locations have specific cut-off times, often in the evening, for dropping off packages to go out that same day. Don’t miss the weekend dispatch!
• Use USPS Pickup – Both Priority services offer free USPS Pickup to have carriers collect packages from your home or office, saving you a trip to the Post Office.
• Monitor Tracking – Stay on top of shipment tracking and sign up for USPS text/email notifications to know when to expect your weekend delivery.
• Prepare for Delays – Weekends and holidays often see higher package volumes, which can lead to transit delays. Build in extra time if you need your USPS delivery by a certain date.

Following these simple tips can make weekend shipping with USPS hassle-free!

USPS Retail Locations and Weekend Hours

While we know USPS does deliveries on Saturdays, what about visiting the physical post office or postal store locations over the weekend?

Unfortunately, the majority of USPS retail offices and counters have reduced hours on Saturdays, typically from 9 AM to 1 PM. And on Sundays, all post office retail locations are completely closed, with no lobby access or counter service.

The hours can vary a bit by specific location, especially in major cities. But in general, plan your weekend USPS visits accordingly to coincide with Saturday morning post office hours if needed.

PO Box customers also should be aware that box lobbies may have more limited access hours over weekends in some areas. Check with your local post office for those details.

USPS Holidays and No Delivery Days

We’ve covered the Postal Service’s Saturday and Sunday operations pretty thoroughly so far. But it’s also important to note the USPS holidays observed each year when there will be no mail delivery at all, including Saturdays.

The USPS observes 11 annual federal holidays with no regular mail delivery:

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday
• Presidents’ Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day

If the holiday happens to fall on a Sunday, USPS will observe the holiday on the subsequent Monday with no deliveries that day either.

And if the holiday falls on a Saturday, there simply won’t be any mail delivery just for that day. Operations will return to normal schedule the following Monday.

So be aware of these annual postal holidays when expecting mail or packages to avoid surprises. The holidays can shift delivery times before and after the date as well.

Other Shipping Carrier Weekend Options

While this guide has focused specifically on USPS weekend operations, you do have additional options with other major shipping carriers if you need reliable Saturday or Sunday delivery.

FedEx offers residential ground package delivery every Saturday, with FedEx Home Delivery also providing Sunday service in many areas for an added fee. FedEx Express and Overnight services also operate on weekends.

UPS provides similar Saturday delivery for UPS Ground, UPS 3 Day Select, and UPS Next Day Air services. Sunday delivery is available through UPS Sure Post for an additional charge.

And of course, Amazon’s own logistics network provides Saturday and Sunday delivery to Prime members in most regions, working seamlessly with USPS and other carriers.

So USPS is far from alone in offering weekend delivery services these days.

USPS, FedEx, UPS, and Amazon offer weekend delivery options. Compare services to find the best fit for your needs and budget.

For example, FedEx and UPS typically cost more than USPS for ground shipping, but may be preferable if you require faster transit times or enhanced tracking and delivery confirmation services. Amazon’s logistics network is geared primarily towards serving its own customers.

Policies, fees, and coverage areas for Saturday/Sunday delivery often change with major carriers. Verify current service details before shipping if guaranteed weekend arrival is crucial.

When evaluating carriers for weekend deliveries, consider factors like:

• Cost per shipment
• Guaranteed delivery dates/times
• Insurance options
• Tracking capabilities
• Convenience of drop-off/pickup

For smaller businesses and individuals, USPS often provides the most economical Saturday shipping rates through Priority Mail. But those requiring the absolute fastest delivery may opt for pricier FedEx or UPS overnight options.

No single carrier is “best” for every situation. Taking the time to understand each one’s weekend policies allows you to make the optimal shipping choice for your timing and budget priorities.