How Long Does Standard Shipping Take? Carriers Explained
by Jaidyn Farar
For years, businesses have worked hard to keep up with consumer demand for lightning-fast shipping.
But now, it looks like the “Amazon effect” is wearing off. With rising inflation, online shoppers are tightening their belts. They’re seeking out more affordable products and prioritizing cheaper shipping—even at the expense of speed.
A recent survey found that 90% of customers are willing to wait several days for packages, especially if it lets them avoid shipping costs.
What does this mean for your business? It’s pretty simple: To cater to price-conscious customers, you need to offer an affordable shipping option. That’s where standard shipping comes in.
What is standard shipping?
Standard shipping is the most affordable shipping method a carrier provides, making it the cheapest option you can offer to your customers. It relies on ground transportation, which keeps costs low but means delivery can take longer—up to 7 days, depending on the carrier. Standard shipping is sometimes called economy shipping, standard delivery, or ground shipping.
Pros of standard shipping:
- Low-cost
- Reliable
- Safe for HAZMAT shipments
Cons of standard shipping:
- Not ideal if you sell perishable or time-sensitive products
- May discourage customers who expect faster delivery
Common standard shipping services include USPS Ground Advantage®, UPS® Ground, and FedEx Home Delivery®. (We’ll talk more about those later in the article.) If you need faster delivery, many carriers provide expedited services like two-day or overnight shipping for an additional cost.
How long does standard shipping take?
While delivery times vary by carrier, standard shipping generally takes between 1 and 5 business days for domestic shipments. Packages going to Alaska, Hawaii, or U.S. territories will take longer to arrive, usually between 3 and 7 days.
Factors that influence delivery times include shipping distances, the weather, and holidays. You’ll want to take each of these factors into account when providing an estimated delivery date to your customers.
How long does USPS standard shipping take?
USPS’s standard shipping option, USPS Ground Advantage, takes between 2 and 5 business days for shipments in the continental U.S. Packages going to Alaska, Hawaii, or other offshore destinations may take longer.
This service includes tracking in the label cost, and packages are automatically insured for up to $100. Ground Advantage also comes with free package pickup—a major time-saver for busy business owners.
How long does UPS standard shipping take?
UPS’s standard shipping option, UPS Ground, takes between 1 and 5 business days. On their website, UPS notes that over 90% of UPS Ground packages are delivered in 3 days or fewer. Special features of this service include free tracking and up to $100 of liability coverage in case of package loss or damage.
How long does FedEx standard shipping take?
FedEx’s standard residential shipping service, FedEx Home Delivery, generally takes between 1 and 5 business days, though packages sent to Alaska or Hawaii can take between 3 and 7 business days to arrive.
This service delivers every day of the week, including to over half the U.S. population on Sundays.
How much does standard shipping cost?
Standard shipping costs vary based on package weight and size, shipping distance, and carrier. When shipping a one-pound package with USPS, UPS, or FedEx, starting retail rates range from $8.55 to $13.17 and go up as distance and package weight increase.
- USPS. The cost of shipping a one-pound package to Zone 2 (0–150 miles from the origin) using USPS Ground Advantage is $8.55.
- UPS. The starting cost of shipping a one-pound package to Zone 2 using UPS Ground is $13.17.
- FedEx. The starting cost of shipping a one-pound package to Zone 2 using FedEx Home Delivery is $11.32.
Save on standard shipping with EasyPost
Whether you use standard or expedited shipping, you shouldn’t be paying retail rates. With a shipping platform like EasyPost, you can access rate discounts of up to 83%, regardless of your shipping volume.
With over 100 carriers available, EasyPost makes it simple to find the right carrier and service for every package. In addition to USPS, UPS, and FedEx, you’ll get access to regional and local carriers, which often offer cheaper rates for specific geographic regions.
And with Luma, a powerful shipping AI, you can automatically select the best shipping method every time, optimizing for speed, reliability, and cost.