Cheapest Way To Ship A Package | Best Rates & Discounts (2026)
What's the Cheapest Way to Ship Packages? 2026 Best Rates & Discounts
In this helpful guide, we'll cover what impacts shipping prices and the latest shipping discounts for 2026.
Key Points
- Shipping costs are determined by a combination of delivery speed, distance, box size, and package weight.
- USPS, FedEx, UPS, and DHL Express provide reliable shipping services for your domestic and international shipments—but each carrier has different pros and cons to consider.
- When calculating the cheapest way to ship a package, take advantage of the discounted shipping rates available on multi-carrier shipping apps like Easyship (up to 91% off).
- To get the cheapest shipping rates from multiple couriers, use a free shipping rate calculator to compare rates based on package size, weight, destination, and delivery speed.
What is the cheapest way to ship a package in the US in 2026?
The cheapest way to ship packages in 2026 depends on the exact box weight and delivery speed. USPS Ground Advantage (from $5.85) is the cheapest for most packages under 10 pounds, UPS Ground Saver (from $5.81) offers competitive rates for small parcels, and FedEx Express Saver (from $13.58) excels for heavy packages anywhere from 20–50 pounds. USPS Media Mail (from $4.63) is cheaper if you ship books, CDs, DVDs, or similar educational media.
Cheapest Shipping Rates in Q2 2026:
| Carrier Service | Cheapest Label |
|---|---|
| USPS Media Mail (1 lb) | USPS Media Mail is the cheapest media-only rate from $4.63 |
| USPS Ground Advantage (1 lb) | USPS Ground Advantage is the cheapest postal rate from $5.85 |
| UPS Ground Saver (1 lb) | UPS Ground Saver is the cheapest carrier rate from $5.81 |
Note: These are the lowest US domestic rates for a 1 lb package. Different item categories, delivery destinations, and box weights may result in a different price.
Why Finding the Lowest Shipping Rates Matters
Unexpected shipping costs and a lack of transparency around delivery times are top reasons for cart abandonment:
- High shipping and delivery costs (63%)
- Unclear or extended delivery times (45%)
- No offer or discount code (44%)
Compare All Carriers to Find the Cheapest Way to Ship a Package
No single carrier wins on price across every package type, route, or delivery speed. The only reliable way to guarantee you're getting the lowest rate is to compare across USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL Express for each individual shipment.
Cheapest Way to Ship a Package Based on Delivery Speed
Cheapest rates from NY to LA
| Service | Delivery Time | Tracking | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS Ground Saver | 5 working days | Regular | $9.14 |
| USPS Ground Advantage | 2–5 working days | Regular | $9.39 |
| UPS Ground | 4 working days | Regular | $9.78 |
| USPS Priority Mail | 1–3 working days | Regular | $12.58 |
| FedEx Express Saver | 2–3 working days | Excellent | $13.58 |
| FedEx Ground | 1–3 working days | Excellent | $13.94 |
Cheapest rates for 2–3 day shipping
| 2–3 Day Service | Delivery Time | Tracking | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Priority Mail | 1–3 working days | Regular | $12.58 |
| FedEx Express Saver | 2–3 working days | Excellent | $13.58 |
| FedEx Ground | 1–3 working days | Excellent | $13.94 |
| FedEx 2Day | 2 working days | Excellent | $14.93 |
| UPS 3 Day Select | 3 working days | Excellent | $15.03 |
| USPS Priority Mail Signature | 1–3 working days | Excellent | $16.28 |
| UPS 2nd Day Air | 2 working days | Excellent | $20.07 |
| UPS 2nd Day Air A.M. | 2 working days | Excellent | $22.04 |
| FedEx 2Day A.M. | 2 working days | Excellent | $30.11 |
Cheapest option for overnight delivery
| Overnight Service | Delivery Time | Tracking | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| FedEx Standard Overnight | 1 working day | Excellent | $36.48 |
| FedEx Priority Overnight | 1 working day | Excellent | $40.27 |
| UPS Next Day Air Saver | 1 working day | Excellent | $43.22 |
| UPS Next Day Air | 1 working day | Excellent | $49.76 |
| USPS Priority Mail Express | 1–2 working days | Excellent | $55.90 |
| UPS Next Day Air Early | 1 working day | Excellent | $79.76 |
Cheapest Way to Ship a Package Based on Weight
Cheapest rates for small parcels under 1 pound
| Service | Delivery Time | Tracking | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Ground Advantage | 2–5 working days | Regular | $6.84 |
| UPS Ground | 4 working days | Excellent | $8.28 |
| UPS Ground Saver | 5 working days | Excellent | $8.46 |
| USPS Priority Mail | 1–3 working days | Regular | $9.84 |
| USPS Ground Advantage Signature | 2–5 working days | Regular | $10.54 |
| FedEx Ground | 1–3 working days | Excellent | $14.03 |
Cheapest rates for packages under 5 pounds
| Service | Delivery Time | Tracking | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS Ground Saver | 5 working days | Excellent | $9.14 |
| USPS Ground Advantage | 2–5 working days | Regular | $9.39 |
| UPS Ground | 4 working days | Excellent | $9.51 |
| USPS Priority Mail | 1–3 working days | Regular | $12.58 |
| USPS Ground Advantage Signature | 2–5 working days | Regular | $13.09 |
| FedEx Express Saver | 2–3 working days | Excellent | $13.58 |
Cheapest rates for medium packages up to 10 pounds
| Service | Delivery Time | Tracking | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS Ground Saver | 5 working days | Excellent | $12.53 |
| USPS Ground Advantage | 2–5 working days | Regular | $12.78 |
| FedEx Express Saver | 2–3 working days | Excellent | $13.58 |
| FedEx 2Day | 2 working days | Excellent | $14.93 |
| USPS Ground Advantage Signature | 2–5 working days | Regular | $16.48 |
| USPS Priority Mail | 1–3 working days | Regular | $20.17 |
Cheapest rates for large 20-pound packages
| Service | Delivery Time | Tracking | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Ground Advantage | 2–5 working days | Regular | $12.78 |
| UPS Ground Saver | 5 working days | Excellent | $13.42 |
| FedEx Express Saver | 2–3 working days | Excellent | $13.58 |
| FedEx 2Day | 2 working days | Excellent | $14.93 |
| USPS Priority Mail | 1–3 working days | Regular | $20.17 |
| UPS Ground | 4 working days | Excellent | $21.31 |
Cheapest rates for heavy packages 50+ pounds
| Service | Delivery Time | Tracking | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| FedEx Express Saver | 2–3 working days | Excellent | $13.58 |
| FedEx 2Day | 2 working days | Excellent | $14.93 |
| FedEx 2Day A.M. | 2 working days | Excellent | $64.95 |
| UPS Ground Saver | 5 working days | Excellent | $69.89 |
| UPS Ground | 4 working days | Excellent | $69.94 |
| FedEx Ground | 1–3 working days | Excellent | $84.16 |
USPS vs FedEx vs UPS: Side-by-Side Carrier Comparison
| Service Type | Usps | Fedex | Ups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 10 lbs (Standard) | ✔ | ||
| Over 10 lbs (Standard) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Envelopes | ✔ | ||
| Light boxes | ✔ | ||
| Heavy boxes | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Two-day shipping | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Next-day shipping (AM) | ✔ | ||
| Next-day shipping (PM) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Expedited International | ✔ | ||
| Priority International | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Overnight | ✔ |
How Shipping Rates Are Calculated
Shipping companies calculate rates slightly differently which is why comparing across carriers on every shipment is essential. For each package you ship, consider four key factors:
1. Delivery Speed
The faster the delivery, the higher the cost.
- Best for 2–3 day shipping: USPS Priority Mail (under 10 lb); UPS and FedEx above 10 lb.
- Best for guaranteed 2-day: UPS 2nd Day Air or FedEx 2Day.
- Best for overnight: UPS Next Day Air Saver and FedEx Standard Overnight are significantly cheaper than USPS Priority Mail Express.
2. Transit Distance
Shipping services like USPS split the US into zones based on the distance your package travels. The further the destination from the origin, the higher the rate.
3. Package Weight
The heavier your package, the higher the shipping rate. Note: carriers use the larger of actual weight and dimensional weight to calculate shipping costs.
4. Box Size
The larger your package dimensions, the greater the shipping price. Options include Flat Rate Boxes (USPS) and Cubic Pricing (USPS).
How to Access Shipping Discounts
Carrier discounts are typically tied to shipment volume — the more you ship, the better your rates. Easyship offers an alternative route to discounted rates, saving up to 91% off retail rates.