As an online shopper, you‘ve likely wondered "Does USPS deliver on Saturday?" Whether you‘re waiting on a care package from grandma or a time-sensitive document for work, the US Postal Service‘s weekend delivery options are an important factor.
Luckily for us all, the answer is an overwhelming YES – USPS has delivered mail and packages on Saturdays for over 150 years. Let‘s dive into everything you need to know about USPS Saturday delivery in 2023, from a shopper‘s perspective and a retail business point of view.
How Long Has USPS Delivered On Saturdays?
The tradition of Saturday mail delivery goes back to the earliest days of the US Postal Service. In 1863, USPS began offering free city delivery, Monday through Saturday. This 6-day schedule was formally adopted nationwide in 1912.
While there have been a few attempts by USPS over the years to cut costs by ending Saturday delivery, Congress has continuously mandated that the Postal Service maintain 6-day delivery. According to the Postal Service‘s own data, 70% of Americans support this continuation of Saturday service.
So for over a century, we‘ve been able to count on our local postal workers to show up at our doors every Saturday, save for federal holidays. But just how much mail is delivered on a typical Saturday? Let‘s crunch the numbers.
Saturday Mail & Package Delivery Stats
On an average day, the US Postal Service processes and delivers 472.1 million mail pieces to 163 million delivery points across the country. Here‘s how that breaks down for Saturdays:
- 17.7 million pieces of First-Class Mail
- 4.2 million packages via Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, First-Class Package Service, and Parcel Select
- Millions of other letters & flats including Marketing Mail, Periodicals, Media Mail, etc.
All in all, Saturdays account for about 15% of the total weekly mail volume handled by USPS. To put that in perspective, if Saturday delivery was eliminated, over 90 million mail pieces per month would be delayed.
For ecommerce businesses and online sellers, Saturday delivery is especially crucial. A 2022 report found that over 20% of all retail purchases are now made online, and many shoppers expect fast weekend delivery:
- 62% of online shoppers expect orders placed by 5pm Friday to arrive by Saturday
- 40% abandon shopping carts if estimated delivery is more than 2 days out
- 63% are more likely to make a purchase if Saturday delivery is offered
major carriers servicing ecommerce merchants, USPS has the most comprehensive Saturday coverage. UPS Saturday Ground delivery reaches about 80% of US households, while FedEx Home Delivery only guarantees Saturday service to ~95% of residential addresses. In contrast, USPS delivers everywhere in the nation 6 days a week.
What Time Does Saturday Mail Arrive?
According to USPS delivery standards, all mail should be delivered by 5:00pm Monday through Saturday. For most households, you can expect Saturday mail to arrive around the same time as it does during the week, anytime between 9am-5pm.
A few caveats – if you live near the end of your mail carrier‘s route, it could be closer to 6pm. Inclement weather, heavier than usual mail volume, or other unforeseen issues could also cause minor delays. And if you‘re receiving a Priority Mail Express package, the guaranteed delivery time is 10:30am.
Pro tip: If getting an item on Saturday is critical, your best option is Priority Mail Express. For an added fee, USPS offers guaranteed Saturday delivery with tracking and insurance for these items.
Saturday Post Office Hours & Services
In addition to Saturday delivery, most US Post Office locations maintain Saturday retail hours, typically from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Some high-traffic locations may offer extended Saturday hours.
During these weekend hours, you can access most standard postal services such as:
- Buying postage stamps, boxes and mailers
- Sending letters, cards and packages
- Picking up held mail and signed-for items
- Applying for or renewing a PO Box rental
- Making an appointment for passport services
One exception – if you need to send money orders on a Saturday, you‘ll likely need to find an alternate provider, as most post offices don‘t process USPS money orders on weekends. Always best to contact your local PO to confirm their specific Saturday offerings.
When USPS Doesn‘t Deliver On Saturdays
There are two main scenarios where you won‘t find USPS mail in your box on a Saturday:
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When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, like Christmas or New Year‘s Day, USPS observes the holiday and suspends regular mail delivery.
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In the event of a major weather emergency like a hurricane or blizzard, USPS may temporarily curtail Saturday delivery if conditions are unsafe. Service alerts are posted on the USPS website.
Aside from these rare occasions, you can rely on seeing your friendly neighborhood mail carrier out delivering every Saturday, just as they have for the past 160 years!
The Future of USPS Saturday Delivery
As ecommerce continues to boom, consumer demand for weekend delivery options is only rising. In response, USPS has been testing some expanded Saturday services in select markets:
- USPS Connect – Local delivery initiative offering affordable same-day and Sunday delivery for businesses in certain metro areas
- USPS Connect Rewards – New loyalty program with member perks like bonus credits for using Saturday delivery
Postal Service executives have stated that they view weekend delivery as a key competitive advantage. As USPS seeks to grow its package business, it‘s likely we‘ll see further investment in and promotion of Saturday services.
"The Postal Service‘s unmatched ability to reach every address in the country, 6 days a week, is our unique differentiator," said Steve Monteith, USPS Chief Customer & Marketing Officer. "We know weekend delivery is important to our customers, and we‘re committed to continually improving our Saturday operations."
The Bottom Line
Whether you‘re an individual waiting on a care package or a business shipping orders to customers, it‘s clear that Saturday mail delivery is a vital service depended on by millions. USPS remains committed to 6-day delivery, handling over 90 million letters and packages every Saturday.
So the next time you‘re wondering "Will USPS deliver my package on Saturday?" – the odds are strongly in your favor. As a savvy consumer, you can maximize weekend delivery by:
- Choosing Priority Mail Express for guaranteed Saturday delivery by 10:30am.
- Sending items early enough in the week to allow for transit time.
- Checking your tracking regularly and signing up for Informed Delivery to preview incoming mail.
- Staying tuned to the latest service alerts for any disruptions due to holidays or emergencies.
Happy Saturday shopping! May your mailbox always be full of online orders and good news.
