California to Texas Shipping Rates

California to Texas spans 1,200-1,500+ miles, generally falling into Zone 5-6 territory depending on exact origin and destination. Los Angeles to Houston is Zone 5, while San Diego to El Paso (the closest TX city) can be Zone 4. Zone classification significantly affects pricing - Zone 6 rates are roughly 15-20% higher than Zone 5 for the same weight.

Understanding zones helps you estimate costs before comparing quotes. For USPS, Zone 5 Ground Advantage for a 5 lb package runs about $9.50, while Zone 6 pushes to $10.75.

USPS: Best budget option, especially for packages under 10 lbs. Ground Advantage delivers reliably in 3-5 days. Priority Mail often arrives in 2 days on this high-volume corridor.

UPS: Strong infrastructure on this route with distribution hubs in both states. Ground service is reliable at 3-4 days. Best for heavier packages (10+ lbs) where USPS rates climb steeply.

FedEx: Competitive with UPS on ground rates. FedEx Ground delivers similarly at 3-4 days. Their 2Day service is excellent for time-sensitive shipments at a moderate premium.

For CA to TX shipments, ground services offer the best value for non-urgent packages. The 3-5 day window is acceptable for most e-commerce and personal shipments. However, consider express options when:

• Shipping perishables or time-sensitive items
• Weekend delivery is required (UPS/FedEx Saturday delivery available)
• The item value justifies faster, more tracked shipping

Priority Mail Express guarantees 1-2 day delivery with money-back guarantee. UPS Next Day Air and FedEx Priority Overnight deliver by 10:30 AM but cost $50-80+ for this distance.