What Is the Cheapest Way to Send Something Next Day?

Want to send something tomorrow-but don’t want to get hit with a $75 shipping bill? You’re not alone. Every day, people need to get packages out fast: a replacement part, a birthday gift, legal documents, or even a small business order. But not everyone can afford premium services like FedEx Priority Overnight or UPS Next Day Air Saver. The good news? There are legit, affordable ways to get next-day delivery without breaking the bank-if you know where to look.

Don’t Assume the Big Names Are the Cheapest

Most people default to FedEx, UPS, or USPS Priority Mail Express because they’re familiar. But that’s often the most expensive path. For example, sending a 2-pound package from Chicago to Columbus via FedEx Ground Economy costs $14.50, but it takes 2-4 days. Want it overnight? That jumps to $58.50. USPS Priority Mail Express for the same weight and distance? $32. That’s better, but still not the lowest.

Here’s what most people miss: regional carriers. Companies like OnTrac, LaserShip, and Estes Express operate in specific states and regions. They don’t have national networks, but they’re way cheaper for local next-day runs. OnTrac, for instance, offers next-day delivery across the West Coast for as low as $12.95 for a 1-pound package. If you’re shipping within California, Nevada, Arizona, or Oregon, this beats USPS and UPS every time.

USPS Priority Mail Express Is Often the Best Value

USPS is the only carrier legally required to deliver to every address in the U.S.-including rural routes, PO boxes, and apartment buildings. That’s why they’re often the cheapest for overnight delivery, especially if you’re not shipping heavy or oversized items.

For packages under 70 pounds, USPS Priority Mail Express starts at $28.75 for a flat-rate envelope (12.5" x 9.5") if you print the label online. That’s the same price whether you’re sending it across town or across the country. No zone pricing. No fuel surcharges. Just flat rates.

Compare that to UPS Next Day Air Saver: $52 for a small box going from New York to Atlanta. Or FedEx First Overnight: $71. USPS wins by a landslide-if your item fits in the envelope or small flat-rate box. And if you drop it off at a Post Office before 12 p.m., you get guaranteed delivery by 12 p.m. the next day.

Use Shipping Aggregators to Compare Real-Time Rates

You don’t have to guess which carrier is cheapest. Tools like Shippo, Pirate Ship, and Easyship pull live rates from multiple carriers and show you the lowest price for next-day delivery.

For example, I tested sending a 3-pound package from Austin to Dallas. Here’s what I saw:

Next-Day Delivery Rates from Austin to Dallas (January 2026)

Carrier	Service	Price	Delivery Time
USPS	Priority Mail Express	$28.75	12 p.m. next day
OnTrac	Next Day	$14.50	By 5 p.m.
UPS	Next Day Air Saver	$39.90	3 p.m. next day
FedEx	Standard Overnight	$51.25	10:30 a.m. next day

OnTrac was the clear winner-under $15. But here’s the catch: OnTrac only covers 8 states. If you’re outside their network, USPS is your safest bet. These aggregators also let you print labels at home, skip the line at the post office, and sometimes get discounts you can’t find in-store.

Timing Matters More Than You Think

Cutting costs isn’t just about choosing the right carrier-it’s about when you ship. Most carriers have cutoff times. Miss them, and your package goes out the next day.

USPS Priority Mail Express cutoff is usually 2 p.m. local time at the Post Office. But if you drop it off at a collection box, it’s often 12 p.m. UPS and FedEx cutoffs vary by location, but many are 3 p.m. or 5 p.m. for next-day delivery. If you’re shipping from home, schedule a pickup. Most carriers offer free pickups if you print the label online.

Here’s a pro tip: If you ship on a Friday, don’t assume Saturday delivery is guaranteed. USPS and FedEx offer Saturday delivery for an extra fee. UPS doesn’t deliver on Saturdays unless you pay for it. So if you’re shipping something urgent on a Friday, use USPS and drop it off before 2 p.m. Friday to get it delivered Saturday without extra cost.

Small Packages? Use Flat-Rate Envelopes

USPS flat-rate envelopes are a game-changer. They cost the same whether they’re empty or packed with 10 pounds of stuff. A small flat-rate envelope holds up to 1 pound and costs $28.75 for next-day delivery. A medium one holds up to 70 pounds and still costs $34.75.

Compare that to FedEx or UPS, which charge by weight and distance. If you’re shipping a stack of documents, a small flat-rate envelope is the cheapest way to go. Just make sure you’re not overpacking it-USPS will charge you extra if it’s too heavy or thick.

What Doesn’t Work (And Why)

Some people try to save money by using ground shipping and hoping it arrives fast. Don’t. FedEx Ground and UPS Ground are not next-day services. Even if you pay extra for “expedited ground,” it still takes 2-4 days.

Another mistake? Using Amazon Shipping. Amazon doesn’t offer standalone next-day delivery to the public. You can only use it if you’re selling on Amazon and enrolled in their program.

And skip the “same-day delivery” apps like DoorDash or Uber Connect. They’re great for food or small personal items, but they don’t handle legal documents, electronics, or anything requiring tracking or insurance. Plus, they’re not reliable for business use.

Real-World Example: Sending a Laptop Charger Overnight

Imagine you’re a freelance graphic designer. Your client’s laptop charger died. They need it by 9 a.m. tomorrow. The charger weighs 0.5 pounds. You live in Atlanta.

You have three options:

1. USPS Priority Mail Express: $28.75. Drop it off at the Post Office before 2 p.m. It arrives by 12 p.m. tomorrow. Includes tracking and insurance up to $100.
2. OnTrac: $12.95. But wait-you’re in Georgia. OnTrac doesn’t serve the Southeast. Not an option.
3. UPS Next Day Air Saver: $41.50. Delivers by 3 p.m. More expensive, no real benefit.

USPS is the only smart choice. Fast, reliable, and under $30.

When to Pay More

Sometimes, the cheapest isn’t the best. If you’re shipping:

• High-value items (over $1,000) - go with FedEx or UPS for better insurance
• Time-sensitive medical supplies - use FedEx Priority Overnight for guaranteed early delivery
• Large or fragile items - UPS or FedEx offer better handling and tracking

For most people, though, the cheapest option works fine. You don’t need to pay $70 to send a book or a pair of shoes overnight.

Final Checklist for the Cheapest Next-Day Delivery

• Check if you’re in an OnTrac, LaserShip, or other regional carrier zone
• Use USPS Priority Mail Express if you’re outside regional coverage
• Use a flat-rate envelope if your item weighs under 1 pound
• Print your label online-never pay at the counter
• Ship before the cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. for USPS)
• Don’t use Amazon, DoorDash, or ground shipping for next-day needs

If you follow this, you’ll save 50-70% on next-day shipping. That’s $30-$50 saved per package. For small businesses or frequent shippers, that’s hundreds a month.