Days, by distance
USPS doesn't publish Priority Mail Express standards in its data files, so these are estimates from distance, the same as the calculator uses:
| Route | Miles | Estimate (business days) |
|---|---|---|
| New York → Los Angeles | 2,460 | 2–3 |
| Chicago → Houston | 940 | 2 |
| Atlanta → Miami | 610 | 2 |
| Boston → Washington, DC | 390 | 1–2 |
| Denver → Dallas | 660 | 2 |
| Seattle → Portland, OR | 140 | 1 |
| Phoenix → Las Vegas | 250 | 1–2 |
| Minneapolis → St. Louis | 470 | 1–2 |
Estimates in delivery days. USPS gives the guaranteed date when you buy the label.
The guarantee
Priority Mail Express comes with a money-back guarantee: if it misses the guaranteed date, you can claim a refund of the postage. The guarantee doesn't apply to or from Alaska and Hawaii, and some exceptions apply; USPS lists them with the label.
Sundays and holidays
Express is the one USPS service that delivers on Sundays and holidays, so it can arrive sooner than a business-day count suggests. That matters around Christmas and three-day weekends.
Is it worth it?
For documents or gifts that must arrive by a date, often yes: it's usually the cheapest overnight option of the three carriers. For everything else, Priority Mail at 2–3 days costs much less. Compare prices on USPS postage cost.
Estimates, plus USPS's guaranteed date
Days are counted from the day the carrier accepts the package (day 0), skipping Sundays and holidays. Holiday peak (mid-November to late December) can add a day or more. For a specific shipment, check the carrier's own tool.
Service information checked November 2026.
Other services
- USPS First-Class MailLetters, cards and large envelopes.
- USPS Ground AdvantageUSPS's everyday package service.
- USPS Priority MailFaster USPS packages, with Flat Rate boxes.
- USPS Priority Mail ExpressUSPS's fastest service, with a money-back guarantee.
- UPS GroundUPS's economy service, zip to zip.
- FedEx Ground and Home DeliveryFedEx's economy services, zip to zip.
Or compare every carrier at once on the delivery-time calculator.
Questions people ask
Is Priority Mail Express really overnight?
To many destinations, yes, but not all: some routes are guaranteed in 2 days. USPS shows the guaranteed date when you buy the label.
Does Priority Mail Express deliver on Sunday?
Yes. It's the only USPS service that delivers on Sundays and holidays.
What happens if Priority Mail Express is late?
You can request a refund of the postage under USPS's money-back guarantee. It doesn't cover shipments to or from Alaska and Hawaii, and some other exceptions apply.