Finding the cheapest way to ship a package can seem like a real puzzle with many variables, including the region, shipping zone and package size. Of course, the cheapest way to ship large packages is different than the cheapest way to ship a 2lb package. In this guide, we’ll discuss the cheapest way to ship packages based on your package type.
Table of contents
The cheapest way to ship packages varies based on the shipping speed required. We’ll cover the differences between 2- to 3-day shipping options and overnight options to help you find the cheapest way to ship. Note that the tables below show retail rates, and Pitney Bowes negotiated rates will generally be lower.
If you compare rates across FedEx, UPS and USPS, you’ll find that the cheapest 2-day shipping option is USPS.
Cost to ship a 4lb package from New York to Los Angeles within 2–3 days
Courier Service
Cost
Speed
Package Dimensions
USPS Priority Mail® (Medium Flat Rate Box)
$17.10
2 days
13-5/8” x 11-7/8” x 3-3/8”
UPS 2nd Day Air
$53.64
2 days
13” x 11” x 3”
FedEx 2Day®
$59.33
2 days
13” x 11” x 3”
The cheapest overnight shipping option is USPS. However, if your package absolutely must arrive early in the day, your best choice is UPS Next Day Air, which offers guaranteed delivery by 10:30am.
Cost to ship a 4lb package overnight from New York to Los Angeles
Courier Service
Cost
Speed
Package Dimensions
USPS Priority Mail Express®
$75.60
Time not specified
Length + girth 108“
UPS Next Day Air
$116.40
Next day by 10:30 AM
13” x 11” x 3”
FedEx Standard Overnight®
$118.54
Next day by 5:00 PM
13” x 11” x 3”
The weight of your package will have a large impact on your shipping cost. We’ll compare your options across carriers for several common package weights to help you find the cheapest shipping by weight. Be aware that both UPS and FedEx charge for “DIM weight” (or dimensional weight), so if your package is large or oversized but lightweight, the shipping rate may be much higher.
When you compare rates from USPS, UPS and FedEx, the cheapest way to ship a 2lb package is USPS. Your 2lb package will also arrive faster with USPS than with similarly priced options from UPS or FedEx. Note that flat rate packages are not always the most cost-effective way to ship lightweight items.
Cost to ship a 2lb package from New York to Los Angeles
Courier Service
Cost
Speed
Package Dimensions
USPS Priority Mail® Medium Flat Rate Box
$17.10
2 days
13-5/8” x 11-7/8” x 3-3/8”
UPS Ground
$16.64
4 days End of Day
13” x 11” x 3”
FedEx Ground®
$15.99
4 days End of Day
13” x 11” x 3”
The cheapest way to ship a 5lb package is USPS Priority Mail®. See the table below to compare carrier rates.
Cost to ship a 5lb package from New York to Los Angeles
Courier Service
Cost
Speed
Package Dimensions
USPS Priority Mail® (Medium Flat Rate Box)
$17.10
2 days
13-5/8” x 11-7/8” x 3-3/8”
UPS Ground
$23.38
4 days End of Day
13” x 11” x 3”
FedEx Ground®
$22.46
4 days End of Day
13” x 11” x 3”
USPS Ground AdvantageTM is the cheapest way to ship a 10lb package. Though at this weight, the price is comparable across carriers.
Cost to ship a 10lb package from New York to Los Angeles
Courier Service
Cost
Speed
Package Dimensions
USPS Ground AdvantageTM
$31.45
4 days
130” length + girth
UPS Ground
$61.64
4 days End of Day
13” x 11” x 3”
FedEx Ground®
$59.22
4 days End of Day
13” x 11” x 3”
The cheapest way to ship a 20lb package of a larger length and girth is USPS Ground AdvantageTM. The price difference is significant when compared to UPS Ground and FedEx Ground®.
Cost to ship a 20lb package from New York to Los Angeles
Courier Service
Cost
Speed
Package Dimensions
USPS Ground AdvantageTM
$55.50
5 days
130” length + girth
UPS Ground
$228.85
4 days End of Day
48” x 18” x 23”
FedEx Ground®
$260.60
4 days End of Day
48” x 18” x 23”
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to ship large or heavy packages, USPS Ground AdvantageTM is the cheapest way to ship 50lbs. However, USPS has a 70lb weight limit for parcels. To avoid USPS surcharges, you can ship heavier packages with FedEx or UPS.
Cost to ship a 50lb package from New York to Los Angeles
Courier Service
Cost
Speed
Size Limits
USPS Ground AdvantageTM
$127.85
5 days
130” length + girth
UPS Ground
$126.88
4 days End of Day
48” x 18” x 23”
FedEx Ground®
$121.91
4 days End of Day
48” x 18” x 23”
USPS Priority Mail® Medium Flat Rate boxes are the best value for packages under 2lbs. and are also the fastest option. (In fact, you could ship up to 5lbs at that same rate.)
Cost to ship a 1lb package from New York to Los Angeles
Courier Service
Cost
Speed
Package Dimensions
USPS Priority Mail® (Medium Flat Rate Box)
$17.10
1 day
13-5/8” x 11-7/8” x 3-3/8”
UPS 2nd Day Air
$34.60
2 days
13” x 11” x 3”
FedEx Express Saver®
$34.37
3 days
13” x 11” x 3”
The cheapest way to ship a 5lb package is the USPS Priority Mail® Medium Flat Rate Box, which will get your package there in two day.
Cost to ship a 4lb package from New York to Los Angeles
Courier Service
Cost
Speed
Package Dimensions
USPS Priority Mail® (Medium Flat Rate Box)
$17.10
2 days
13-5/8” x 11-7/8” x 3-3/8”
UPS 2nd Day Air
$53.64
2 days
13” x 11” x 3”
FedEx Express Saver®
$51.58
3 days
13” x 11” x 3”
The cheapest way to ship a 10lb package within 5 days is USPS Ground AdvantageTM. At this weight, there is not much of a price difference between the 3 carriers. If you need a little more speed, your package will arrive more quickly if you ship with UPS or FedEx.
Cost to ship a 10lb package from New York to Los Angeles
Courier Service
Cost
Speed
Package Dimensions
USPS Ground AdvantageTM
$31.45
5 days
130” length + girth
UPS Ground
$33.22
4 days End of Day
48” x 18” x 23”
FedEx Ground®
$31.92
4 days End of Day
48” x 18” x 23”
The cheapest way to ship a 10lb package within 5 days is also the cheapest way to ship a 20lb package. Although the shipping speed is slower, the cost is significantly less for USPS Ground AdvantageTM.
Cost to ship a 20lb package from New York to Los Angeles
Courier Service
Cost
Speed
Package Dimensions
USPS Ground AdvantageTM
$55.50
5 days
130” length + girth
UPS Ground
$61.64
4 days End of Day
48” x 18” x 23”
FedEx Ground®
$59.22
4 days End of Day
48” x 18” x 23”
USPS Ground AdvantageTM is the cheapest way to ship large packages within 5 days. Even when the weight increases significantly, USPS comes out ahead as the cheapest way to ship 50 lbs.
Cost to ship a 50lb package from New York to Los Angeles
Courier Service
Cost
Speed
Package Dimensions
USPS Ground AdvantageTM
$127.85
5 days
130” length + girth
UPS Ground
$126.88
4 days End of Day
48” x 18” x 23”
FedEx Ground®
$121.91
4 days End of Day
48” x 18” x 23”
The cheapest way to ship packages is generally the flat rate box available from USPS. Of course, the size of the package greatly impacts your shipping rate, so we’ll consider your options for various package sizes.
The cheapest way to ship a 1lb small package under 16oz. is USPS Priority Mail®. You’ll also save time by opting for USPS.
Cost to ship a small package from New York to Los Angeles
Courier Service
Cost
Speed
Package Dimensions
USPS Priority Mail® (Small Flat Rate Box)
$10.20
1 day
8-5/8” x 5-3/8” x 1-5/8”
UPS Ground
$14.09
4 days
8” x 5” x 1”
FedEx Ground®
$13.54
4 days
8” x 5” x 1”
The cheapest way to ship a medium package of 5lbs. is a USPS Priority Mail® Medium Flat Rate Box. UPS and FedEx also offer budget-friendly options, but shipping times are much longer.
Cost to ship a medium package from New York to Los Angeles
Courier Service
Cost
Speed
Package Dimensions
USPS Priority Mail® (Medium Flat Rate Box)
$17.10
2 days
13-5/8” x 11-7/8” x 3-3/8”
UPS Ground
$23.38
4 days
13” x 11” x 3”
FedEx Ground®
$22.46
4 days
13” x 11” x 3”
USPS Priority Mail is the cheapest way to ship a large package. To obtain the lowest rate you must use USPS Priority Mail branded packaging. If you need faster delivery, both UPS Simple Rate and FedEx One Rate give you more choices. The faster the delivery, the more you will pay.
Cost to ship a large package from New York to Los Angeles
Courier Service
Cost
Speed
Package Dimensions
USPS Priority Mail (Large Flat Rate Box)
$22.80
2 days
12" x 12-1/4" x 6"
UPS Simple Rate (Large Box)
$24.55
4 days End of Day
15” x 11” x 6”
FedEx One Rate (Large Box)
$29.60
3 days End of Day
12-3/8” x 3” x 17-1/2”
As we’ve discussed, the cheapest way to ship packages will depend on many factors, including the size, weight, speed and distance. When you’re looking for the cheapest and fastest shipping options, you can reference this table, which recommends carriers by package type.
USPS
UPS
FedEx
Less than 10 lbs.
✓
Over 10 lbs.
✓
✓
Envelopes
✓
Small, light boxes
✓
Heavy boxes
✓
✓
Two-day shipping
✓
✓
Next-day shipping (AM)
✓
Next-day shipping (PM)
✓
✓
Expedited international shipping
✓
Priority international
✓
✓
Overnight
✓
Here’s a quick step-by-step checklist on how to ship a package:
You can help your business save on shipping by using PitneyShip® software. Pitney Bowes shipping software gives you discounted rates, cost accounting and real-time data and insights to help you make smarter shipping decisions.
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