New York to California Shipping: Rates & Guide
East coast to west coast shipping rates and carrier options for NY to CA routes
How much does it cost to ship from New York to California?
New York to California shipping costs $8-$12 for packages under 1 lb, $12-$18 for 1-5 lbs, and $18-$50 for heavier packages. This is a Zone 8 route with 5-7 day ground transit. USPS Priority Mail (2-3 days) costs $10-$25, and overnight options start at $28.
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| Carrier | Service | Price | Delivery Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USPS | Ground Advantage (1 lb) | $8.50 | 5-7 days | Cheapest |
| USPS | Priority Mail (2 lb) | $12.45 | 2-3 days | |
| USPS | Large Flat Rate Box | $22.45 | 2-3 days | |
| UPS | Ground (5 lb) | $19.50 | 5 days | |
| FedEx | Ground (5 lb) | $19.75 | 5 days |
Ground Advantage (1 lb)
Priority Mail (2 lb)
Large Flat Rate Box
Ground (5 lb)
Ground (5 lb)
* Prices shown are discounted ShipWave rates. Actual rates vary by exact dimensions, weight, and origin/destination.
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NY to CA Shipping Overview
New York to California represents the maximum domestic shipping distance - a Zone 8 route spanning roughly 2,800 miles. Whether you're shipping from Manhattan to Los Angeles or Buffalo to San Diego, Zone 8 rates apply.
Ground packages typically route through major hubs in the Midwest (Chicago, Kansas City) before reaching California distribution centers. This journey takes 5-7 business days via ground services.
Carrier Comparison for NY to CA
USPS: Best for packages under 5 lbs. Ground Advantage offers the lowest rates; Priority Mail provides faster 2-3 day delivery. Flat Rate boxes are ideal for heavy, compact items.
UPS Ground: Consistent 5-day transit with detailed tracking. Better for business shipments needing guaranteed delivery dates. Commercial rates available through shipping platforms.
FedEx Ground: Similar to UPS with 5-day transit. Strong in metropolitan California areas. FedEx SmartPost offers economy option for non-urgent packages.
Holiday and Peak Season Considerations
Zone 8 routes are most affected by peak season delays. During November-December, add 2-3 days buffer to ground transit estimates.
Ship early for holiday deadlines: Ground by December 10th, Priority Mail by December 18th, Express by December 21st for Christmas delivery to California.
Pro Tips to Save More
Ship before noon for same-day processing
UPS and FedEx pickups before noon ship same-day. USPS accepts packages until 5pm at most locations for same-day dispatch.
Use Large Flat Rate Box strategically
USPS Large Flat Rate Box ($22.45) beats weight-based pricing for 8+ lb packages to California. Maximum weight is 70 lbs.
Consider time zone differences
California is 3 hours behind New York. Schedule deliveries appropriately - a 10am NY delivery requirement means 7am local time.
Track actively on long-distance shipments
Zone 8 packages pass through 4-6 facilities. Track progress daily and contact carrier if package stalls at any hub for 48+ hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Ground shipping takes 5-7 business days. USPS Priority Mail takes 2-3 days. Overnight services deliver next business day. Add 1-2 days during holiday peak seasons.
- USPS Ground Advantage is cheapest for packages under 5 lbs. For heavier items, compare USPS Flat Rate boxes against weight-based UPS/FedEx Ground rates using a shipping calculator.
- A 10 lb package from NY to CA costs approximately $22-28 via USPS Ground Advantage, $24-30 via UPS Ground, or $22.45 via USPS Large Flat Rate Box (if it fits). Commercial rates are 20-30% lower.
- UPS and FedEx Ground have identical 5-day transit times for NY to CA. For express shipping, both offer overnight and 2-day options with similar pricing. Choose based on pickup convenience or existing account discounts.
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