UPS Ground Shipping Time

Anish

June 8, 2023

When discussing deliveries, which is more important to you: faster delivery or cheaper shipping? According to a report on consumer behavior, 65% of shoppers prefer faster delivery, even if it means paying more. 

Analysis of consumer demographics and their delivery preferences reveal that the “boomers” and “Gen Z” age groups are willing to spend more if it means speedy deliveries. 

So, if you’re one of those willing to spend more for faster, more reliable delivery, this article can help provide you with options. 

UPS, or United Parcel Service, is one of the most prominent package delivery companies in the U.S. and worldwide. The company reports that UPS Ground delivery service completes over 90% of its shipping within three days. 

UPS provides various economical shipping options for their customers. If you’re considering buying its Ground service, read this article to answer some questions you may have:

  • What is UPS Ground shipping, and how does it work? 
  • How much does UPS Ground service cost? Is insurance included? 
  • How long does UPS Ground shipping usually take? Can it be expedited, and if so, how much will it cost? 
  • Who benefits from UPS Ground shipping?

This article will give you a clear overview of the duration of the delivery time for UPS Ground service. 

This write-up will explain how this service works, including who benefits from them and whether insurance is free of charge. It will also discuss whether UPS Ground can be expedited, including how much it will cost.

Having a better understanding of UPS Ground shipping can help you take advantage of this service. UPS Ground shipping provides reliable and economical delivery for domestic shipping use.

UPS works with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to deliver packages in the United States. Cross-company deliveries need coordination and constant monitoring, and having an online post office locator on hand can make this task easier. 

FindPostOffice.org has an expansive database of more than 31,330 post office facilities in the country. You only need to visit this site and use its easy-to-use search tools to help you manage your deliveries in the U.S. 

How Long Does UPS Ground Take?

UPS Ground provides reliable, cost-effective delivery within one to five business days. UPS Ground shipping takes around the same time as USPS Retail Ground shipping.

Average UPS Ground Shipping Times

The transit time for delivery is between one to five business days, with Saturday delivery standard for most residential addresses.

UPS Ground Shipping Time Delays

UPS makes every effort to fulfill its delivery commitments. Unfortunately, delays or disruptions may still occur due to severe weather, natural disasters, and other conditions beyond UPS’ control.

Does UPS Ground Deliver on Saturdays?

UPS is known for providing Saturday ground deliveries to businesses. This is an attractive feature for business owners because packages get to customers faster. 

You can also schedule Saturday pickup or opt-in to get Saturday ground commercial deliveries with no added costs. You can enroll by calling 1-800-PICKUPS.

Does UPS Ground Deliver on Sundays?

UPS typically doesn’t deliver on Sundays. As of the moment, UPS only offers Sunday deliveries via its SurePost service.  

UPS SurePost is a cost-efficient service for businesses to send non-urgent and low-value goods to their customers. UPS picks up the packages, and USPS delivers them to their destination seven days a week. 

However, Sunday delivery is available only in select areas with UPS Saturday operations and USPS Sunday service ZIP codes.

What Is UPS Ground Shipping?

UPS Ground is a fast, affordable delivery service that gets your packages to their destination within one to five business days. 

UPS Ground delivers packages to all business and home addresses in the United States and Puerto Rico. Packages can weigh up to 150lbs and be up to 108 inches long.

How Does UPS Ground Shipping Work

As the name implies, UPS Ground shipping transfers or ships packages through land travel instead of an airplane. A UPS vehicle fleet delivers packages throughout the U.S. and can work with USPS for package delivery.  

Pro Tip

Additional options are available when you create a shipment online, including Delivery Confirmation, Hold for Pickup, and Collect on Delivery (C.O.D).

Can UPS Ground Shipping Be Expedited?

UPS Express Critical is a same-day parcel shipping service. You can order a shipment by calling 1-800-714-8779 from the U.S. or Canada. You can also email UPS at UPSExpressCriticalInsideSales@ups.com.

Who Benefits Most From UPS Ground Shipping?

Businesses or eCommerce shippers that send a large quantity of merchandise might consider using UPS Ground. 

UPS Ground offers an excellent price structure for relatively fast shipping, allowing customers to get their packages quickly without paying much more than they would for USPS shipping services.

 UPS ground shipping is often the best option for sending a package when speed isn’t a priority.

Is Insurance Free With UPS Ground Shipments?

UPS will cover only a limited amount of loss or damage to packages depending on their contents and where they are being sent. 

If the value of your shipment exceeds this amount, you can declare a higher value by using the service Declared Value for Carriage. Declared value limits may vary according to the service chosen and the origin and destination of the shipment.

How Much Does UPS Shipping Cost?

Shipping costs vary according to various factors, including the origin and destination of a shipment and its weight. 

Calculating the time and cost of sending a UPS shipment to another country helps you compare UPS delivery times and published shipping rates.

Does UPS Ground Deliver to Your Home?

Yes, UPS can deliver directly to your home if requested. You can indicate the delivery location: at the front door, garage, or back door. 

Can I Use UPS Ground at the UPS Store?

Yes, you can. The UPS Store offers a range of shipping services, including overnight and regular ground delivery. You must bring the item that needs to be delivered to a UPS Store and let a UPS representative handle your package.

Does Tracking Come Free With UPS Ground Shipments?

Yes. UPS Ground shipping also includes free tracking information, available 24/7.

Where Is UPS Ground Available?

UPS Ground delivers to any home or business address in all 50 states in the  U.S., along with Puerto Rico.

UPS Ground Map

U.S. Ground Time-in-Transit Maps illustrate how many days it usually takes for packages to be delivered via UPS Ground services within the 50 states in the United States and Puerto Rico. Transit days are based on the shipping date and the 5-digit ZIP code.

How Is UPS Ground Delivered?

UPS Ground delivers packages using trucks instead of airplanes.

Can You Track a UPS Truck?

No. Technically, you can not track a UPS truck. You can only track your packages on the truck. UPS My Choice members can use the “Follow My Delivery” option to track their packages online.

Shipping UPS Ground Packages

 It would be best if you started packing your items in a sturdy box. If you don’t have one, visit the UPS Store to order your supplies online. You can also visit the UPS website for more information about ordering supplies. 

  • Seal your box with at least two inches of plastic or nylon tape. (Don’t use duct tape.)
  • Before packing, protect fragile items in bubble wrap, foam peanuts, or other materials that provide a cushion.
  • Be aware of additional rules for special-care items and prohibited goods.
  • When shipping a package, it’s essential to know the size and weight of your box.

The next step is creating a shipping label. Creating your labels online is simple, or you can visit the UPS Store for assistance. 

You have three options for getting your package to UPS:

  • UPS will pick up your package at an additional cost. You can schedule a pickup on their website.
  • You can drop off your package at the nearest UPS location. Remember to bring your identification with you.
  • Give the package to your friendly neighborhood mail carrier.

Comparison to Other UPS Services

If the estimated UPS Ground shipping time seems too long, consider using another domestic service with a shorter estimate.

You can pay extra to have your parcels shipped with UPS 2nd Day Air or UPS 3 Day Select to get guaranteed delivery within two or three days. You can pay a surcharge for UPS Next Day Air to get it delivered the next day.

What Is the Difference Between UPS Ground Shipping and Standard Shipping?

UPS Ground shipping offers a cost-effective solution for shipping domestic packages within the United States and Puerto Rico. UPS Ground is a day-definite delivery within one to five business days.

In contrast, UPS Standard international shipping is a reliable service for shipping less urgent parcels abroad. It offers a speedy, economical, and convenient door-to-door service. The delivery is day-definite and by the end of the day.

Is UPS Ground Faster Than Standard Shipping?

Delivery speeds may vary depending on the parcel’s destination. However, the delivery timeframe for both UPS Ground and UPS Standard is the same. Shipping usually takes one to five business days. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. How late does UPS deliver?

Shipments are generally delivered between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM and sometimes later than 7:00 PM to residences. UPS usually delivers by close of business for commercial addresses.

  1. Does UPS deliver on the weekend?

Yes, with UPS’ scheduled Saturday pickup, you can also get Saturday ground commercial deliveries free of charge. At the same time, UPS offers Sunday delivery via its SurePost service.

  1. What days does UPS deliver during the holidays?

Here are some of the holidays when UPS continues its deliveries: 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 16)

  • UPS offers pickup and delivery services.
  • UPS SurePost and Mail Innovations deliveries will take another business day due to the Federal holiday.
  • UPS Stores are open.

Valentine’s Day (February 14)

  • UPS offers pickup and delivery services.
  • UPS Stores are open.

President’s Day (February 20)

  • UPS offers pickup and delivery services.
  • UPS SurePost and Mail Innovations deliveries will take another business day due to the Federal holiday.
  • UPS Stores are open.

Good Friday (April 7)

  • UPS offers pickup and delivery services.
  • UPS Stores are open.

Easter (April 9)

  • UPS holiday; UPS pickup and delivery services are not available.
  • UPS Stores may be closed. You should check with your local UPS store for its specific hours of operation.
  • UPS Express Critical is available. 

Mother’s Day (May 14)

  • UPS pickup and delivery services are not available.
  • UPS Stores may be closed. You should check with your local UPS store for its specific hours of operation.

Memorial Day (May 29)

  • UPS pickup and delivery services are not available.
  • UPS Stores are closed.
  • UPS Express Critical is available. 

Juneteenth (June 19)

  • UPS offers pickup and delivery services.
  • UPS Stores are open.

Independence Day (July 4)

  • UPS holiday; UPS pickup and delivery services are not available.
  • UPS Stores are closed.
  • UPS Express Critical is available. 

Labor Day (September 4)

  • UPS holiday; UPS pickup and delivery services are not available.
  • UPS Stores are closed.
  • UPS Express Critical is available. 

Indigenous People’s Day or Columbus Day (October 9)

  • UPS offers pickup and delivery services.
  • UPS SurePost and Mail Innovations deliveries will take one additional business day due to the Federal holiday.
  • UPS Stores are open.

Veterans Day (November 11)

  • UPS offers pickup and delivery services.
  • UPS SurePost and Mail Innovations deliveries will take one additional business day due to the Federal holiday.
  • UPS Stores are open.

Thanksgiving Holiday (November 23)

  • UPS holiday; UPS pickup and delivery services are unavailable.
  • UPS Stores are closed.
  • UPS Express Critical is available. 

Black Friday (November 24)

  • UPS pickup and delivery services are unavailable.
  • UPS Stores are open.

Christmas Holiday (December 24)

  • UPS pickup and delivery services are unavailable.
  • Some UPS Stores may have modified business hours. You should check with your local UPS store for its specific hours of operation.
  • UPS Express Critical is available. 

Christmas Day (December 25)

  • UPS holiday; UPS pickup and delivery services are unavailable.
  • UPS Stores are closed.
  • UPS Express Critical is available. 

New Year’s Eve (December 31)

  • UPS pickup and delivery services are unavailable.
  • Some UPS Stores may have modified business hours. You should check with your local UPS store for its specific hours of operation.
  • UPS Express Critical is available. 

New Year’s Day or UPS Holiday (January 1)

  • UPS holiday; UPS pickup and delivery services are unavailable.
  • UPS Stores are closed.
  • UPS Express Critical is available. 
  1. How long does UPS ground take from California to Florida?

You can expect the standard one to five business days for deliveries made by UPS Ground.

References

  1. Our Shipping Services, Defined
    https://www.ups.com/us/en/support/shipping-support/shipping-services/domestic.page
  2. Mail & Shipping Services
    https://www.usps.com/ship/mail-shipping-services.htm
  3. UPS Service Alerts
    https://www.ups.com/us/en/service-alerts.page
  4. Domestic Shipping
    https://www.ups.com/us/en/support/shipping-support/shipping-services/domestic.page
  5. UPS Shipping Services
    https://www.ups.com/us/en/support/shipping-support/shipping-services.page
  6. Declared Value
    https://www.ups.com/ph/en/shipping/services/value-added/declared-value.page
  7. How much does it cost to ship a package?
    https://www.ups.com/ph/en/help-center/sri/shipping-voi.page
  8. Saturday Deliveries and Pick-Up Options
    https://www.ups.com/us/en/business-solutions/pickup-dropoff-options/weekend-pickups-deliveries.page
  9. UPS SurePost Rates
    https://www.ups.com/us/en/support/shipping-support/shipping-costs-rates/surepost-rates.page
  10. Shipping Within the United States
    https://www.theupsstore.com/pack-ship/domestic-shipping
  11. U.S. Ground Maps
    https://www.ups.com/maps?loc=en_US
  12. Follow My Delivery
    https://www.ups.com/wmd/map/request?z=1Z2F4512015468513
  13. How to Ship a Package
    https://www.ups.com/us/en/shipping/how-to-ship-package.page
  14. International Standard Shipping
    https://www.ups.com/fi/en/shipping/international/services/standard.page
  15. Expand Your Business Internationally
    https://www.ups.com/us/en/business-solutions/grow-your-business-solutions/expand-internationally.page
  16. Tracking and Managing your FedEx Deliveries
    https://www.fedex.com/en-us/tracking/guide-for-tracking-managing-deliveries.html
  17. My shipment tracking status is “On Vehicle Delivery”. What time will I receive my delivery?
    https://www.ups.com/ph/en/help-center/sri/tracking/on-vehicle-delivery-today.page
  18. UPS Holiday Schedule
    https://www.ups.com/us/en/support/shipping-support/shipping-services/holiday-shipping-schedule.page