Delivery days from Iowa
From Des Moines, the closest states are Nebraska, Missouri and South Dakota, where mail usually arrives at the short end of each range. The farthest is Oregon, about 1,500 miles away. Locally around Des Moines, First-Class Mail usually takes 2 days and Ground Advantage 2 days; the far side of Iowa can take a day or two longer.
| To | First-Class Mail | Ground Advantage | Priority Mail | UPS or FedEx Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| Alaska | 4 | 12–25 | 3–4 | 1–2 weeks |
| Arizona | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| Arkansas | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2–3 |
| California | 4 | 4 | 2–3 | 4–5 |
| Colorado | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| Connecticut | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| Delaware | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| Washington, DC | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| Florida | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| Georgia | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| Hawaii | 4 | 14–18 | 3–4 | 1–2 weeks |
| Idaho | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| Illinois | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2–3 |
| Indiana | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2–3 |
| Local (Des Moines area) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Kansas | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2–3 |
| Kentucky | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2–3 |
| Louisiana | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| Maine | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| Maryland | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| Massachusetts | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| Michigan | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2–3 |
| Minnesota | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2–3 |
| Mississippi | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| Missouri | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2–3 |
| Montana | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| Nebraska | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1–2 |
| Nevada | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| New Hampshire | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| New Jersey | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| New Mexico | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| New York | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| North Carolina | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| North Dakota | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2–3 |
| Ohio | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2–3 |
| Oklahoma | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2–3 |
| Oregon | 4 | 4 | 2–3 | 4–5 |
| Pennsylvania | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| Rhode Island | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| South Carolina | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| South Dakota | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2–3 |
| Tennessee | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2–3 |
| Texas | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| Utah | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| Vermont | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3–4 |
| Virginia | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| Washington | 4 | 4 | 2–3 | 4–5 |
| West Virginia | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3–4 |
| Wisconsin | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2–3 |
| Wyoming | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2–3 |
USPS columns are USPS's own service standards between these cities (effective November 1, 2026); UPS and FedEx are estimates from distance. USPS days count Saturdays; UPS and FedEx count business days. Sundays and holidays aren't counted. Routes to or from Alaska and Hawaii travel by air or barge: "1–2 weeks" is typical for ground, and "3+" means at least that many days by air.
Measured from Des Moines to each state's main population center. Your exact ZIP codes can differ by a day either way: enter both ZIP codes for your route. Estimates, not guarantees.
Questions people ask
How long does mail take within Iowa?
Around Des Moines, First-Class Mail usually takes 2 days and Ground Advantage 2 days, not counting Sundays and holidays. Between far-apart cities in Iowa, add a day or two; enter both ZIP codes for your route.
How long does mail take from Iowa to California?
About 4 days by First-Class Mail, 4 days by USPS Ground Advantage, 2–3 days by Priority Mail, and 4–5 business days by UPS or FedEx Ground.
How long does mail take from Iowa to New York?
About 4 days by First-Class Mail, 3 days by USPS Ground Advantage, 3 days by Priority Mail, and 3–4 business days by UPS or FedEx Ground.