What Is UPS Ground Shipping & Is It the Best Fit for You?
by Jaidyn Farar
Looking for the best way to ship non-urgent packages with UPS? You’re in the right place!
UPS Ground shipping is a reliable, affordable option for delivering goods domestically. Understanding the features, benefits, and potential drawbacks of this service will help you optimize your logistics and save money on shipping.
What is UPS Ground shipping, and when should businesses use it? Let’s see if this shipping service is the right fit for your needs.
What is UPS Ground® shipping?
UPS Ground shipping is a domestic shipping service that can be used to transport individual packages weighing up to 150 pounds. It’s a secure way to ship high-cost items, and it’s one of the most affordable methods for sending large or heavy shipments to customers.
As the name implies, UPS Ground uses trucks for transportation, so it takes longer than air shipments; you can generally expect packages to arrive within one to five business days. UPS Ground comes with accurate tracking so you and your customers can monitor a package’s progress during transit. Additionally, the shipping cost includes up to $100 worth of coverage in case a package is lost or damaged.
How big can packages be?
Packages shipped via UPS Ground can be up to 150 pounds, 108 inches long, and 165 inches in combined length and girth.
Girth refers to the measurement around the thickest part of a package. For example, if the package is a rectangular box, the girth is calculated by adding together the lengths of the four sides that make up the width and height of the box.
Girth = (width x 2) + (height x 2)
How long does UPS Ground shipping take?
UPS Ground shipping takes between one and five business days, and according to UPS, 90% of UPS Ground packages are delivered in three days or fewer. You can get an exact estimate of shipping time using the UPS Ground time-in-transit map.
Simply type in your shipping date and either the origin or destination zip code, and you’ll see a map outlining delivery times across the country. For example, a package shipped from Utah to Texas would take between three and four days to arrive.
How much does UPS Ground shipping cost?
UPS Ground shipping costs vary based on package weight and distance, and rates also depend on whether your business has negotiated a volume discount with UPS.
In the table below, we’ll look at some starting rates for shipping a package with UPS Ground. These rates are what you’ll pay if you have an account with UPS and/or have scheduled a package pickup.
For the most accurate cost estimation, use the UPS cost calculator.
Package weight | Starting price |
|---|---|
1 pound | $10.70 |
5 pounds | $12.56 |
10 pounds | $14.29 |
15 pounds | $15.92 |
20 pounds | $17.02 |
Many businesses negotiate volume discounts with carriers to get lower rates. But if you have a multi-carrier strategy, it can become time-consuming to negotiate with each carrier and integrate them with your systems.
The EasyPost Shipping API allows you to connect with over 100 carriers in a single integration. It also gives you access to more affordable rates for major carriers like UPS, USPS, FedEx, and DHL, as well as local and regional carriers. Sign up for free and start saving on shipping.
UPS Ground vs. UPS SurePost
What is the most cost-effective way to ship ground? While UPS Ground is an affordable option, you may be able to save money with UPS SurePost®. UPS SurePost is a shipping service for non-urgent, lightweight shipments.
Which is best for your business needs?
UPS Ground | UPS SurePost | |
|---|---|---|
Delivery time | 1-5 business days | 2-6 business days |
Package size | Up to 150 pounds, 108 inches long, 165 inches in combined length and girth | Up to 70 pounds, 60 inches long, 130 inches in combined length and girth |
Weekend pickup and delivery | Saturday | Saturday and Sunday |
Ideal for | High-value shipments; packages over 10 pounds | Packages under 10 pounds |
Contract required? | No | Yes |
Is UPS Ground shipping the best fit for you?
UPS Ground shipping is a great fit if you ship packages domestically and don’t need next-day or two-day delivery. It’s also a secure, affordable way to send large packages—those that weigh over 70 pounds. Key benefits of UPS Ground include accurate tracking services and up to $100 of package coverage included the shipping cost.
What if I need faster shipping?
If you need a package delivered in fewer than five business days, UPS has options for that too. Consider the following services:
- UPS 3 Day Select®: Three business days
- UPS 2nd Day Air®: Two business days
- UPS Next Day Air®: Guaranteed next-day delivery
UPS Ground frequently asked questions
Still have questions about UPS Ground? We have answers!
Does UPS Ground come with shipping insurance?
All UPS Ground packages come with up to $100 worth of coverage included in the shipping cost—however, this coverage is a little different from traditional shipping insurance. While it protects shipments against loss and damage, you must prove that UPS was at fault in order to have your claim approved.
For more comprehensive protection, including coverage for porch piracy, most merchants purchase shipping insurance from a provider like EasyPost.
What days and times does UPS Ground deliver?
UPS Ground delivers packages Monday through Friday, with Saturday delivery available for most residential addresses. It does not deliver on Sundays. Most packages arrive by 8 p.m.
Does UPS Ground offer package tracking?
Yes, UPS Ground offers tracking services for free, allowing you to monitor your shipments 24/7. When you pair these tracking services with a tracking API, you can easily offer customers access to a branded tracking portal and automatic updates.
Save on UPS Ground shipping with EasyPost
It’s a pressing question for every ecommerce business: how can I keep shipping costs as low as possible? While researching carriers is helpful, there’s a better way. Shipping software like EasyPost automates the carrier and shipping method selection process, optimizing for cost and delivery speed. And because EasyPost negotiates with carriers on your behalf, you can access rate discounts no matter how many packages you ship per month.
Sign up for free to save on UPS Ground shipping (and more) with EasyPost.