The Cheapest Ways to Ship Packages: Beginners Guide
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
- Cheapest way to ship based on delivery speed
- The cheapest 2- to 3-day shipping options
- The cheapest overnight shipping options
- The cheapest shipping options by weight
- The cheapest way to ship a 2lb package
- The cheapest way to ship a 5lb package
- The cheapest way to ship a 10lb package
- The cheapest way to ship a 20lb package
- The cheapest shipping options for 50lb (large or heavy packages)
- The cheapest shipping for packages under 2lbs within 5 days
- The cheapest shipping for packages under 5lbs within 5 days
- The cheapest shipping for packages under 10lbs within 5 days
- The cheapest shipping for packages under 20lbs within 5 days
- The cheapest shipping for packages 50+ pounds within 5 days
- The cheapest shipping options by size
- The cheapest shipping for small packages
- The cheapest shipping for medium packages
- The cheapest shipping for large packages
- The cheapest and fasted shipping options: Table
- What is the process when shipping a package?
- How can you prepare to save on shipping and mailing costs in 2023?
Cheapest way to ship based on delivery speed
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.
The cheapest 2- to 3-day shipping options
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 options
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 cheapest shipping options by weight
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.
The cheapest way to ship a 2lb package
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
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” |
The cheapest way to ship a 10lb package
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
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” |
The cheapest shipping options for 50lb (large or heavy packages)
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” |
The cheapest shipping for packages under 2lbs within 5 days
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 shipping for packages under 5lbs within 5 days
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 shipping for packages under 10lbs within 5 days
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” |
*Unless oversize charges apply
The cheapest shipping for packages under 20lbs within 5 days
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” |
The cheapest shipping for packages 50+ pounds within 5 days
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 shipping options by package dimension
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 shipping for small packages
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 shipping for medium packages
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” |
The cheapest shipping for large packages
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” |
The cheapest and fastest shipping options: Summary
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 |
✓ |
||
What is the process when shipping a package?
Here’s a quick step-by-step checklist on how to ship a package:
- Prepare the package: Gather the items you’re shipping and the materials to pack it, including the box, labels and tape.
- Calculate shipping costs: Determine the size and weight of your package and look up the cost to ship the package. Compare rates using the carriers’ online tools.
- Address the package: You’ll need the recipient’s full address on the package, including name, street address, city, state and ZIP code.
- Select a shipping service: decide which shipping service you would like to use, such as USPS, FedEx or UPS.
- Ship the package: Take the package to a nearby shipping service location and pay for the shipping. The carrier will provide you with a tracking number that you can use to track your package.
- Track the package: Use the tracking number to track the package online or via the carrier’s app.
How can you prepare to save on shipping and mailing costs
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.