Compare the cheapest and fastest overnight shipping rates across carriers with carrier discounts on overnight costs with Stamps.com. Calculate shipping costs, fees and surcharges for express and priority shipments.
Use Stamps.com today to unlock savings on overnight shipping and keep your delivery guarantee while avoiding excessive postage and shipping fees.
From rate shopping to customs clearance, Stamps.com centralizes the workflows you use every day so you can scale to new markets without adding busywork.
| Carrier / Service | Typical Delivery Time | Approximate Starting Rate* | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS – Priority Mail Express | 1 business day (to many ZIPs) | From ~US$31.40 (online/commercial) | Cheapest overnight solution for many domestic parcels |
| UPS – Next Day Air / Next Day Air Early | Next business day | Small packages ~US$60-80 (1-5 lbs) | When speed is key and you need a major carrier’s network |
| DHL – Express / Domestic Overnight | Next business day (in select zones) | Rates can run USD ~$100+ depending on zone & weight | When you need fast courier service and potentially international reach |
| Using Stamps.com (multi-carrier platform) | Varies by service selected | Access to discounted rates below retail | When you want to compare shipping carriers, generate labels, and save on freight/postage costs |
*Rates are illustrative and subject to change by carrier, package weight, size, zone and surcharges.
Overnight shipping typically carries premium pricing because speed is prioritized. But simply paying the retail rate without comparing service levels or carrier options often means you pay more than necessary. By doing a proper shipping cost comparison — factoring in package weight, package size, destination zone, service level (priority vs express vs overnight) and delivery time — you can find the sweet spot between speed and cost. Even when selecting “overnight shipping,” some services labeled overnight may have cut-off times or limitations (e.g., zone coverage) that affect actual delivery. For example, USPS guarantees Priority Mail Express overnight in many 3-digit ZIP zones when mailed before the cutoff. Ultimately by using a tool like Stamps.com you can avoid paying inflated shipping fees, generate shipping labels in one place, and access cheapest shipping rates as part of a broader shipping strategy.
—Adriana Hurtado, Procurement Manager, Midwest Vision Partners
When time is critical, you can’t afford surprises — or high costs. With Stamps.com, you compare real-time overnight rates from the major carriers, select the fastest or most affordable option, and print labels in minutes. Get your package there first — without paying more than you need to.
The cheapest overnight shipping option depends on your package weight, size, origin and destination. For many U.S. domestic small parcels, using USPS Priority Mail Express might offer one of the lowest retail entry points (starting around US$31.40 online). However, when you use Stamps.com you can access even lower discounted rates across carriers, making that service even more cost-effective.
You can use a shipping rate calculator for each carrier (UPS, DHL, USPS) or use a platform like Stamps.com that aggregates carriers under one dashboard. Enter the same origin, destination, package weight and size for “overnight shipping” or “express shipping” service level and then you can compare shipping cost, delivery prices and choose the best. Always include any pickup or dimensional surcharges.
To calculate shipping cost you need the package weight, package size (dimensions for dimensional weight), origin ZIP and delivery ZIP (zone), and your desired service level (priority, express, overnight). Then you can use the carrier’s online rate calculator or shipping platform to estimate the final shipping fees and shipping label cost. For UPS, for example, they have a shipping cost calculator.
Overnight shipping generally carries higher delivery prices than standard or 2-day service. For example, overnight delivery may cost double or more compared to ground service for the same package weight/zone due to the speed guarantee. Some services (like early-morning or courier pickup) cost even more. A shipping comparison helps you determine if the faster service justifies the higher cost.
Yes, Stamps.com supports generating shipping labels, comparing shipping carriers, and selecting services across carriers including priority and express shipping. This means you can evaluate UPS overnight, DHL express overnight and USPS overnight/priority all within one platform, making the shipping comparison and label creation efficient.
Not always. If your delivery timeline is flexible or you’re trying to optimize for cost, you might choose a priority or 2-day service instead of overnight. The cheapest overnight shipping may still cost significantly more than a slower service. Use shipping cost comparison to evaluate whether speed or cost is your priority for that parcel.