What Time Does USPS Stop Delivering? Quick Answer for 2025
If you’re waiting on mail and packages, you’re not alone in wondering: what time does USPS stop delivering? The United States Postal Service generally wraps up mail delivery around 5 PM local time on weekdays. But that’s only the baseline — it’s not unusual for a mail carrier or delivery person to run late, especially during the holiday season or when mail volume fluctuates daily. In some cases, you could see USPS stop delivering closer to 8 PM — and during peak crunch times, even as late as 9 PM in rare situations. The delivery schedule can vary depending on the carrier or delivery person assigned to your route, and mail deliveries may arrive earlier or later than expected.
Why does this happen? Delivery times depend on your mail class, location, staffing levels, and the number of deliveries that day. A Priority Mail Express package, for example, may arrive as early as 10:30 AM thanks to its expedited service, while USPS Retail Ground or USPS Marketing Mail could be on the later end of the day. Don’t confuse Priority Mail Express with regular Priority Mail—only Priority Mail Express offers guaranteed delivery and Sunday service. Even Amazon packages shipped via USPS can change your local delivery time window.
Knowing the realistic timeframes for when your mail arrives is crucial — whether you’re an individual expecting an important letter or a business timing customer orders. Understanding your local delivery schedule helps you avoid missed mail deliveries and plan ahead, so you can choose the right USPS service for your needs.
💡 If you’re a business looking to guarantee your own mail hits customer mailboxes on time, explore LettrLabs’ Direct Mail Automation — perfect for scheduling campaigns around USPS delivery windows.
Key Takeaways on USPS Delivery Time
If you’re skimming for the quick facts, here’s the USPS delivery breakdown you need:
- Average weekday cutoff – Most mail carriers finish their routes by 5 PM, but high mail volume or weather delays can extend delivery time to 8 PM or later.
- Weekend deliveries – Saturday deliveries can run until 7 PM for certain services, while Sunday delivery is limited to Priority Mail Express and select Amazon packages (often until 6:30 PM or later).
- Mail class matters – The mail class you choose (e.g., Priority Mail, First-Class Mail, USPS Marketing Mail) directly impacts when your mail is delivered.
- Expedited options – Priority Mail Express offers overnight shipping with guaranteed delivery by a set delivery date — sometimes as early as 10:30 AM.
- Unpredictable factors – Traffic jams, staffing shortages, and weather events can cause USPS to stop delivering later than expected, affecting mail deliveries.
- Tracking is key – Use your tracking number and USPS tracking to see your exact delivery time window, get a delivery time estimate, and check the expected delivery date for your mail and packages.
- Missing items – If something is late, you can file a missing mail request or contact USPS customer service to start a search.
💡 Want to ensure your business mail doesn’t get buried in late deliveries? Check out LettrLabs’ Tracking & Analytics Tools to monitor exactly when your mail and packages hit customer mailboxes.
Standard USPS Delivery Time Windows
Understanding when USPS delivers mail can help you plan your day — and, if you’re a business, manage customer expectations. While the official USPS delivery times vary by route, here’s what you can generally expect. However, mail deliveries can occur earlier or later than the standard window depending on various factors.
Weekday Delivery Times
On most weekdays, mail carriers begin their routes around 8 AM and aim to finish by 5 PM. Mail carriers typically work these hours, although shifts can extend depending on circumstances. However, factors like mail volume, weather, and road conditions can push the delivery time later into the evening.
In urban areas, your mail arrives more predictably due to denser routes and better proximity to a local post office. In rural zones, however, a USPS delivery person may not get to your home until later in the day — sometimes after 6 PM. The delivery schedule can also be affected by local conditions such as weather, staffing, and route changes.
Saturday Deliveries
Saturday deliveries follow the same basic pattern, with routes starting in the morning and wrapping up by mid-to-late afternoon. Saturday deliveries follow a similar delivery window timeline as weekdays. Most mail and packages are delivered by 5 PM, but Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express shipments may arrive up until 7 PM. If you need a Saturday arrival, make sure you choose the right mail class — not all USPS services are guaranteed to deliver that day.
Sunday Delivery
USPS does not deliver Priority Mail on Sundays; only Priority Mail Express and certain Amazon packages are eligible for Sunday deliveries. Priority Mail Express deliveries typically arrive between 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM, while Amazon parcels may be dropped off as late as 10 PM in high-demand areas. Customers can receive Sunday delivery only if they use Priority Mail Express or if their package is shipped through Amazon's special arrangement with USPS. Sunday deliveries are limited and may incur additional fees or restrictions. If your package isn’t in one of these categories, you’ll need to wait until Monday’s mail delivery.
💡 If weekend and holiday arrival times are critical for your marketing campaigns, you can coordinate USPS schedules with LettrLabs’ Direct Mail Formats to pick the right format and timing for delivery.
Does USPS Deliver at Night?
While the official USPS delivery times are meant to wrap by 5 PM, late deliveries do happen. Yes — USPS delivers mail at night in certain cases, especially during high-demand periods like the holiday season or when mail volume fluctuates daily.
It’s rare to see a mail carrier at your door after 8 PM, but it’s not impossible. In unusual situations — like severe weather delays or major delayed mail backlogs — you might see your USPS carrier working with a headlamp to get your package delivered before calling it a day, making extra efforts even after normal hours.
Peak Season Deliveries
The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day are the busiest of the year for USPS. During this time, mail and packages may arrive later than usual, with some USPS night deliveries stretching toward 9 PM. Compared to other delivery companies like FedEx, UPS, and DHL, USPS often experiences similar peak season delays due to increased demand, so planning ahead is important.
If you’re shipping important materials during these weeks, consider using Priority Mail Express to lock in a faster delivery time.
Weather and Traffic Delays
Bad weather and traffic jams can force mail carriers to deviate from their normal routes, delaying your mail arrive window. Flooding, snowstorms, or even major road closures can push deliveries well past the typical end of day. Weather and traffic delays can impact all postal services, not just USPS, affecting delivery reliability across the industry. While frustrating, this approach still ensures your mail class shipment arrives the same day rather than being held overnight.
💡 If you’re planning time-sensitive marketing mail, pairing USPS services with LettrLabs’ Direct Mail Automation ensures your campaigns are triggered at the right moment — even during peak or delayed delivery windows.
Factors That Affect When Mail Is Delivered
Even though USPS aims to maintain consistent mail delivery times, several variables can shift when your mail and packages actually arrive. Understanding these factors can help you anticipate possible delays — and choose the right mail class for time-sensitive shipments.
If a delivery is missed due to these factors, USPS provides options to reschedule delivery.
Mail Volume Fluctuates Daily
The number of items a mail carrier handles changes constantly. Around holidays, during promotional events like Black Friday, or after weather disruptions, mail volume can skyrocket. This can extend delivery time well past the usual USPS stop delivering window.
Staffing Levels
If your local post office is short-staffed, fewer local mail carriers are available to run routes. This can result in later arrivals or USPS night deliveries. Sometimes temporary workers are brought in, but training and unfamiliarity with routes can still cause slower delivery.
Geographic Location
Your distance from a local post office or major distribution center directly impacts when your mail arrives.
- Urban areas often enjoy earlier deliveries because USPS delivery times are optimized for high-density stops.
- Rural routes can be much longer, leading to later mail delivery — sometimes after 6 PM.
Delivery Location and Route
If you live at the end of a delivery route, expect to see your mail delivered later in the day. The timing of when your mail is loaded onto the delivery truck at the post office can also influence when it is delivered to your address. Conversely, addresses early in the route might receive mail and packages before noon.
💡 Businesses can work around these timing issues by syncing their send dates with USPS patterns. LettrLabs’ Tracking & Analytics Tools give you visibility into actual delivery performance so you can adjust campaigns in real time.
USPS Delivery Times by Mail Class
The mail class you choose has a big impact on delivery time. Each USPS service has its own expected delivery window, pricing, and guarantees — which means knowing the difference can save you time and frustration.
First-Class Mail & First-Class Package Service
- Delivery window: 1–5 business days for letters; 2–5 business days for small parcels.
- Best for: Lightweight, non-urgent items.
- Tracking: Optional for letters; included for packages.
If you need faster arrivals, you’ll want to upgrade to Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express.
Priority Mail
- Delivery window: 1–3 business days.
- Includes tracking and up to $100 insurance.
- Saturday delivery included at no extra cost.
Priority Mail is ideal for time-sensitive shipments that don’t need overnight shipping.
Priority Mail Express
- Delivery window: Overnight to 2 business days, 7 days a week.
- Guaranteed delivery by 10:30 AM in most areas, or a refund if late.
- Includes tracking and $100 insurance.
USPS handles overnight shipping through its Priority Mail Express service, also known as USPS Overnight, which provides guaranteed overnight or next-day delivery for urgent domestic and international shipments. This service is available for both domestic and international shipments, offering expedited options with delivery guarantees and money-back refunds if deadlines are missed. Priority Mail Express deliveries are the fastest option USPS offers, making them perfect for urgent mail and packages.
USPS Priority Mail Express International
- Delivery window: 3–5 business days for many destinations.
- Includes tracking and insurance.
- Great for time-critical international shipments.
USPS Retail Ground
- Delivery window: 2–8 business days.
- Lower cost, but slower than Priority Mail.
- Tracking included.
Good for bulky or non-urgent USPS packages that don’t need quick delivery time.
USPS Marketing Mail
- Delivery window: 3–10 business days (not guaranteed).
- Designed for bulk mailers like flyers, catalogs, and promotional postcards.
- No forwarding or return service unless requested.
💡 If you’re planning a marketing campaign and want to align your mail delivery with USPS timelines, explore LettrLabs’ Direct Mail Formats — from postcards to trifolds — so your message arrives exactly when you need it.
USPS Packages vs. Letter Delivery
While USPS follows the same general route schedule for all mail, the way they deliver packages can differ from how they handle letters. While USPS uses the same general route to deliver mail and packages, the process for sending mail may differ depending on the service selected, such as Priority Mail Express for expedited or Sunday delivery.
Package Delivery Timing
USPS packages — especially larger or heavier ones — are often delivered later in the day compared to letters. This is because packages may require a delivery person to make separate stops, scan items, or collect a signature for delivery confirmation. In some cases, USPS may run a second trip in the evening just to deliver packages that couldn’t be dropped off earlier.
Amazon Packages
One notable exception to standard schedules is Amazon packages shipped through USPS. These often arrive in later time slots, including evenings, weekends, and even Sunday delivery. During high-demand periods, it’s not uncommon to see Amazon packages delivered well after mail delivery for the day has wrapped up.
Expedited Delivery for Urgent Shipments
When speed matters, USPS offers expedited delivery options like Priority Mail Express, ensuring packages reach their destination by the guaranteed delivery date — sometimes in the early morning. This service is especially useful for time-sensitive mail and packages where missing the deadline could mean lost revenue or missed opportunities.
💡 If your business sends packages that need to land on a specific day, LettrLabs’ Direct Mail Automation can sync campaign sends with USPS delivery patterns so your marketing always arrives on time.
How to Track Your Mail and Packages
One of the easiest ways to know exactly when your mail arrives is to use USPS tracking. Every mailable item that includes tracking comes with a tracking number, allowing you to monitor its progress from the moment it’s shipped until it’s mail delivered.
Using Your Tracking Number
You can enter your USPS tracking number on the USPS website or mobile app to see:
- Current location of your mail and packages.
- Estimated delivery date and delivery time.
- Whether the item has been delivered.
Delivery Confirmation
For packages, USPS scans each delivery upon arrival at your address. This creates a delivery confirmation record so you can verify if the delivery person dropped it off. If you don’t see the package, it may have been placed in a mailbox, on a porch, or with a neighbor.
Advanced Tracking for Businesses
For business mailers, using tracking isn’t just about knowing if something was mail delivered — it’s about optimizing campaigns. Tracking lets you match delivery data to sales or response activity, helping you measure ROI and plan follow-ups.
💡 If you need this level of insight, LettrLabs’ Tracking & Analytics Tools make it easy to see when each campaign hits mailboxes so you can time email or phone outreach perfectly.
What to Do If Your Mail Is Missing or Delayed
Even with the most reliable mail delivery systems, delays happen. Whether it’s a weather-related hold-up, a routing error, or a misplaced item, knowing the right steps can help you get your mail and packages moving again. Local post offices can also assist you in locating missing or delayed mail and provide guidance on next steps.
File a Missing Mail Request
If your mail arrives much later than expected — or not at all — your first step is to file a missing mail request through the USPS website. This process logs your concern in the USPS system so they can begin searching for your item. You’ll need your tracking number and mailing details, including the mail class and delivery date.
Submit a Missing Mail Claim
For insured items, you can file a missing mail claim. This is especially relevant for Priority Mail Express deliveries, which come with a money-back guarantee if USPS fails to meet the promised delivery time.
Contact USPS Customer Service
If your package is still missing after the request, you can contact USPS customer service at 1-800-ASK-USPS or visit your local post office for assistance. They may be able to locate your shipment or provide updates directly from your local mail carriers.
Check the USPS Finding Missing Mail Page
USPS also offers the USPS Finding Missing Mail resource online. This allows you to see the status of your request and confirm whether the item has been found and re-routed.
💡 If timely delivery is critical for your business, LettrLabs’ Direct Mail Automation can help you avoid common USPS delays by syncing your campaigns with real-world delivery performance.
How USPS Handles Overnight Shipping
When you need a package to arrive fast — sometimes by the very next morning — USPS offers overnight shipping through Priority Mail Express. Overnight shipping is only available for specific mail classes, such as Priority Mail Express, while other mail classes like First-Class and Priority Mail offer different delivery speeds. This is the only USPS service with a guaranteed delivery date and money-back guarantee if your mail and packages aren’t mail delivered on time.
Priority Mail Express Service
- Delivery window: Overnight to 2 business days, depending on location.
- Available 365 days a year, including Sunday delivery and holidays (for an additional fee).
- Guaranteed arrival by 10:30 AM in most areas, or your shipping cost is refunded.
How USPS Handles Overnight Shipping Requests
When you choose this service, USPS adjusts routes and resources to prioritize your shipment. If demand is high, mail carriers may work late or start earlier than usual to meet the delivery time guarantee. In some cases, they’ll even run special routes to complete Priority Mail Express deliveries before other shipments.
Expedited Delivery Options for Businesses
For companies, expedited delivery ensures your customers get what they ordered exactly when promised — which is essential for urgent marketing drops, legal documents, or high-value items.
💡 Pairing USPS’s fastest service with LettrLabs’ Direct Mail Automation ensures that your high-priority mailers not only ship on time but also arrive when they’ll have the most impact.
Tips for Ensuring On-Time Delivery
Whether you’re sending personal letters or a large batch of marketing materials, a few proactive steps can make sure your mail and packages reach their destination within the expected delivery time.
Use the Correct Mailing Address
An incomplete or incorrect mailing address is one of the most common causes of delayed mail. Always include:
- Recipient’s full name
- Street address and unit/apartment number
- City, state, and ZIP code (with ZIP Code Plus 4 if possible)
This helps your mail arrive without extra processing or rerouting.
Send Mail Early in the Week
Avoid shipping late on Fridays if you want to maximize business days in transit. Mailing on Monday or Tuesday gives USPS the best chance to deliver on time, especially for First-Class Mail or Priority Mail.
Match Mail Class to Urgency
If you need guaranteed delivery date precision, choose Priority Mail Express. For non-urgent marketing campaigns, USPS Marketing Mail or USPS Retail Ground can save costs while still providing predictable mail delivery.
Track and Adjust
Use your tracking number and USPS tracking to spot patterns in how USPS delivers to your region. If you notice consistent delays, you can plan future campaigns accordingly.
💡 For campaigns where timing is everything, LettrLabs’ Tracking & Analytics Tools let you monitor real-world delivery performance so you can trigger follow-ups exactly when your audience gets your mail.
USPS Services That Help with Timely Delivery
In addition to choosing the right mail class, USPS offers services designed to keep your mail and packages moving on schedule. Combining these with smart planning can help you hit your target delivery time — and avoid surprises.
Informed Delivery
USPS’s Informed Delivery service lets recipients preview images of letter-sized mail delivered each day. For senders, it means customers can see your mailer before it physically arrives, creating anticipation and potentially boosting response rates.
Hold Mail
If you’re away, USPS will hold your mail and packages at your local post office and deliver them all at once when you return. This prevents delays or misplacement caused by overflowing mailboxes.
Scheduled Pickups
Businesses can schedule USPS to pick up their outgoing mail and packages from their office or warehouse. This not only saves time but ensures your shipments start moving toward their destination as early as possible.
Business Services
USPS offers bulk mailing programs, special routing, and discounted rates for high-volume senders. Pairing these with accurate mailing address data and correct mail class selection can significantly improve delivery reliability.
💡 If you’re looking to streamline your own sending process, LettrLabs’ Integrations connect directly to your CRM and marketing tools, allowing you to trigger USPS deliveries automatically at the perfect time.
Final Thoughts on USPS Delivery Times
Knowing what time USPS stops delivering isn’t just about curiosity — it’s about planning.
For individuals, it can mean making sure you’re home to sign for a package or check your mailbox before dark. For businesses, it’s about timing campaigns so that mail and packages land in the right hands at the right moment.
While most mail delivery finishes by 5 PM, remember that USPS stop delivering times can stretch into the evening — especially during peak mail volume periods, severe weather, or when using services like Priority Mail Express. Your choice of mail class plays a major role in your delivery date, so it pays to match urgency to the right USPS service.
If you’re sending something time-sensitive, take advantage of USPS tracking, know how to file a missing mail request, and plan around potential delayed mail scenarios. The more you understand the USPS system, the easier it becomes to predict delivery time and avoid surprises.
💡 If you want more control over your campaign timing, LettrLabs’ Direct Mail Automation syncs your sends with USPS delivery patterns, so your marketing hits mailboxes exactly when it will have the most impact.