UPS® Ground vs. USPS® Priority Mail® vs. FedEx® Ground: Which service is best?

Ground Shipping Guide: What It Is, Who Offers It & How to Choose the Right Option

Ground shipping refers to the delivery of packages via trucks, trains, or a mix of both, instead of air transport. This method is known for being one of the most cost-effective and accessible options, especially for domestic ecommerce shipments. While ground shipping might take a bit longer than air shipments, modern carrier networks have made it a reliable and fast choice for many deliveries.

Ecommerce businesses often rely on ground shipping to balance shipping speed with affordability, making it a great solution for large items or low-cost shipping needs. In this guide, we'll explore the top ground shipping services, help you compare carriers, and show you how to make the best choice for your business needs. We'll also highlight how Pitney Bowes can assist in optimizing your shipping process.

Table of Content:

• What is ground shipping?
• Benefits of Ground Shipping
• Carriers Offering Ground Shipping
• Which Ground Shipping Option Is Best for Your Ecommerce Business?
• Take Control of Ground Shipping Costs with Pitney Bowes
• Ground Shipping FAQs

What is Ground Shipping?

Ground shipping is a cost-effective delivery method that uses trucks or trains, either separately or together, to transport goods. While slower than air shipping, ground services are ideal for ecommerce businesses looking to offer affordable free shipping options. Ground shipping is particularly useful for last mile delivery, which can make a huge difference in reducing overall shipping costs.

It’s a great choice for businesses shipping to local or regional zones, where delivery speed is still competitive, and it helps manage shipping costs for larger, heavier packages. Major shipping carriers like USPS Ground Advantage, UPS Ground, and FedEx Ground provide ground services with tracking and various delivery options to ensure reliable and timely delivery.

Though not as fast as air delivery, ground shipping is an excellent solution for ecommerce businesses that need an affordable, scalable way to meet growing consumer expectations without compromising their bottom line.

Benefits of Ground Shipping

Ecommerce businesses and individual shippers often choose ground shipping because it balances cost, speed, and reliability better than most alternatives. It’s not just affordable—it’s flexible, scalable, and capable of meeting rising delivery expectations thanks to modern fulfillment centers, carrier networks, and smart inventory strategies.

Key benefits include:

• Cost-effectiveness – often the cheapest option for domestic deliveries and heavier parcels. Businesses can extend free shipping or discounted shipping offers to drive conversions.
• Scalability & flexibility – supports a wide range of package sizes and weights, with fewer restrictions compared to air freight.
• Competitive speed – while cross-country shipments may take longer, regional shipping zones can still deliver in 1–3 days; 2-day delivery is possible with distributed inventory or 3PLs.
• Service options – from Saturday delivery to residential service and flexible pickup/drop-off points, ground covers both standard and expedited needs.
• Reliability & tracking – dependable visibility, with fewer disruptions than air travel.
• Sustainability – generally a lower carbon footprint than air, with options like recyclable packaging or carbon offsets to support eco-friendly practices.

Ground services today are faster and more adaptable than many realize—making them a powerful tool for ecommerce growth and customer satisfaction.

Carriers Offering Ground Shipping

Four major shipping carriers—USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL—offer ground shipping services across the U.S. Each provides different service levels, delivery speeds, and pricing structures. Some options are designed for fast residential delivery, others for cost savings on heavy packages or large-volume business shipments. Below, we break down each carrier’s key services.

This section will provide a detailed breakdown of each carrier’s ground shipping services, helping you understand which service is best suited for your shipping needs, whether you’re managing an ecommerce business or sending a one-time package. From residential delivery to business shipments, each carrier offers cost-effective options for a variety of shipping volumes and delivery speeds.

USPS Ground Shipping Options

As the most accessible U.S. ground carrier, USPS delivers nationwide 6 days a week with broad residential coverage.

• USPS Ground Advantage® – Delivery in 2–5 business days, up to 70 lbs, tracking included. Rates start around $4.75; ideal for affordable, non-urgent ecommerce deliveries.
• Priority Mail® – Delivery in 1–3 business days, flat-rate or weight/zone-based. Includes Saturday delivery and no residential surcharges. Flat Rate Envelope starts around $9.95.
• USPS Retail Ground® – Delivery in 2–8 business days, for oversized or irregular packages. Best for shippers prioritizing cost over speed.

USPS also provides last mile delivery support for hybrid services like UPS SurePost and FedEx Ground Economy.

UPS Ground Shipping Options

UPS offers scalable ground shipping options with broad U.S. coverage and reliable final mile delivery.

• UPS Ground® – Delivery in 1–5 business days (90% within 3). Weight up to 150 lbs, size up to 108” long or 165” length + girth. Residential surcharge ~$3.70. Rates start around $8–$9 for 1 lb. Best for heavier, non-urgent packages.
• UPS SurePost® – Hybrid service where UPS handles pickup and USPS completes residential delivery. Delivery in 2–7 business days, up to 70 lbs. Lower cost, slower than standard Ground, often used by ecommerce businesses shipping lightweight, non-time-sensitive parcels.

UPS is favored by ecommerce businesses for competitive heavy-package pricing, wide coverage, and optional Saturday delivery.

FedEx Ground Shipping Options

FedEx operates two main ground services, designed for business and residential deliveries.

• FedEx Ground® – Delivers to business addresses Mon–Fri in 1–5 business days (3–7 for AK/HI). Packages up to 150 lbs, 108” long, 165” length + girth. Rates typically $8.90–$11.32 depending on zone. Ideal for B2B shipments.
• FedEx Home Delivery® – Residential delivery 7 days a week, 1–5 business days. Same weight/dimension limits as Ground. Includes ~$4 residential surcharge. Best for ecommerce retailers needing flexible weekend options.

FedEx offers strong reliability, competitive pricing, and coverage comparable to UPS, making it a go-to shipping carrier for both lightweight and heavy ecommerce orders.

DHL Ground Shipping Options

While best known for international logistics, DHL also provides niche ground delivery services in the U.S.

• DHL eCommerce Ground – Delivery in 3–8 business days, up to 70 lbs. Hybrid model with USPS last mile delivery, reaching mailboxes and P.O. Boxes. Rates often start around $6–$7 for lightweight parcels.
• Coverage: 18 U.S. distribution centers, though not as widespread as UPS/FedEx.
• Limitations: Packages must not exceed 27” in length or 17” in combined length and height. Quotes vary by weight and zone, with no flat-rate option.

DHL Ground is best for high-volume ecommerce shippers seeking affordable residential reach, especially when paired with global fulfillment needs.

Carriers Ground Shipping Options Compared

Notes:

• Delivery speeds may vary by shipping zone.
• Hybrid options like SurePost and DHL eCommerce can be more cost-effective for lightweight residential deliveries but may add 1–2 extra days to transit times.

Which Ground Shipping Option Is Best for Your Ecommerce Business?

Choosing the best ground shipping service for your ecommerce business depends on several factors beyond price. While USPS Ground Advantage might be ideal for cost-effective deliveries, UPS Ground and FedEx Ground may be better suited for heavier items or faster delivery speeds. Each carrier offers varying delivery speeds, pricing structures, and package weight limits. The best option for your business will depend on your budget, the delivery speed expectations you have, and the kind of experience you want to provide to your customers.

Evaluate Delivery Time vs. Shipping Cost Tradeoffs

With ground shipping, the key tradeoff is delivery time versus shipping cost. Ground services are far more affordable than air, but actual delivery times vary by carrier and shipping zone.

• USPS Ground Advantage® – Typically the most affordable option, especially for lightweight items. Delivery window: 2–5 business days, making it slower but cost-effective.
• UPS Ground® – Offers zone-based pricing and faster service in many regions, often delivering in 1–3 business days with consistent reliability.
• FedEx Ground® – Similar to UPS, with regional delivery times as quick as 1–3 days and options for guaranteed day-specific delivery.
• Time-definite upgrades – Both UPS and FedEx allow time-definite or day-definite services for an added fee, useful when meeting strict customer expectations.

The right choice depends on your customers’ expectations. For non-urgent orders, longer delivery windows save money and protect margins. For time-sensitive shipments, faster ground services may be worth the higher cost to ensure customer satisfaction.

Consider the Type and Size of Goods You Ship

The best ground services depend on the type and size of your shipments. Different carriers are optimized for different needs:

• Shipping small packages: USPS Priority Mail® is often the top choice for lightweight parcels (under 5 lbs). It offers fast delivery in 1–3 days, flat rate boxes, free package pickup, Saturday delivery, and no residential surcharge — making it ideal for affordable, nationwide coverage.
• Shipping large packages: UPS Ground® and FedEx Ground® handle heavier, bulkier, or fragile items more efficiently. Both support packages up to 150 lbs (vs. the 70 lb cap for USPS Ground Advantage®) and generally apply lower shipping charges with fewer penalties for oversized shipments.
• High-volume lightweight orders: UPS SurePost® and FedEx Ground Economy® combine carrier networks with USPS final delivery, reaching every U.S. address. These services are slower but cost-effective for non-urgent ecommerce fulfillment.
• Special handling: For oversized or irregularly shaped items, expect dimensional pricing or surcharges. Carriers like FedEx Home Delivery® provide tailored solutions to manage awkward freight.

Matching your package profile with the right service helps balance cost, reliability, and delivery speed.

Think About Where You Ship and Who You’re Shipping To

Different carriers excel at different shipping zones and customer delivery needs. USPS offers extensive coverage, delivering to every U.S. address, with no residential surcharge. This makes it ideal for ecommerce businesses shipping to residential addresses, especially for P.O. Boxes or military addresses. Meanwhile, FedEx Ground and UPS Ground apply a residential delivery surcharge (around $4–$5) and are better for businesses that need to ship larger volumes to specific regions or commercial addresses. When shipping to rural areas, regional carriers or partnerships may offer additional savings.

Shipping Zones & Distances:

Compare Shipping Rates and Surcharges

The base rates for ground shipping depend on package weight, delivery zone, and the carrier. USPS often offers the most cost-effective shipping for smaller packages, especially under 1 lb. However, UPS Ground and FedEx Ground can be more suitable for larger items or when faster service is required. Fuel surcharges and residential delivery fees may also apply, especially with UPS Ground or FedEx Ground. Using a rate comparison tool like PitneyShip® or ShipAccel® can help ecommerce businesses compare rates, avoid unexpected charges, and optimize their shipping strategies.

Take Advantage of Multi-Warehouse Fulfillment

To meet delivery speed expectations and reduce shipping costs, consider using multi-location fulfillment. By distributing your inventory across various warehouses or fulfillment centers, you can reduce the zone distance between your customers and the nearest warehouse. This helps maintain affordable ground shipping rates while meeting faster delivery times. Working with 3PLs (third-party logistics providers) and integrating multi-node shipping can also cut costs and improve operational efficiency for ecommerce businesses.

Integrate with Shipping or Ecommerce Fulfillment Software

Leveraging shipping software like PitneyShip® or ShipAccel® helps streamline the ground shipping process. These platforms allow you to compare rates, print shipping labels, and track shipments all from one dashboard. With real-time rate comparisons and integrations with ecommerce platforms, you can reduce cart abandonment and improve shipping operations. For ecommerce businesses, this level of automation not only saves time but also ensures you are always selecting the most efficient shipping service based on cost and delivery speed.

Take Control of Ground Shipping Costs with Pitney Bowes

Ground shipping doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. With Pitney Bowes’ PitneyShip® and PitneyShip® Pro, ecommerce businesses can easily optimize ground shipping costs and save on every package they ship. Whether you're sending one package or thousands, our platform allows you to compare shipping rates in real-time, access discounted UPS rates, and print shipping labels—all from one user-friendly interface. Here's how it works:

1. Select the type of packaging and enter the recipient’s information, including their email address to enable delivery zone tracking and notifications.
2. Input the package weight and dimensions, and instantly view a list of shipping options, including deeply discounted rates from UPS. You can sort by price or delivery speed to find the best option for your needs.
3. Choose the carrier that fits your budget and timeline, then print your shipping label with just a click.
4. Affix the label to your package and it’s ready to ship!

Additionally, ShipAccel, our integrated ecommerce fulfillment solution, complements PitneyShip® by optimizing your order fulfillment process. Whether fulfilling orders across the country or internationally, ShipAccel ensures streamlined operations and scalable growth. By combining PitneyShip® for efficient ground shipping and ShipAccel for fulfillment, your business can lower costs, enhance service speed, and scale seamlessly.

Explore how Pitney Bowes can help your business grow with smarter logistics today.

Ground Shipping FAQs

How long does ground shipping take?

Ground shipping typically takes 1 to 5 business days within the continental U.S., depending on the distance between origin and destination.

Does ground shipping include tracking?

Yes, most ground shipping services include tracking so you and your customers can monitor the delivery status in real time.

Can I use ground for international shipments?

Generally, no. Ground shipping is mainly used for domestic deliveries. However, some carriers like DHL offer limited ground options across borders, such as to Canada or Mexico.

Is ground shipping cheaper than air shipping?

Yes, ground shipping is usually much cheaper than air because it uses trucks instead of planes and takes longer to deliver.

What is the difference between ground and standard shipping?

“Ground shipping” refers to packages transported by truck or van, while “standard shipping” is a broader term that may include ground, air, or a combination of both—depending on the carrier.