Same State Shipping: Rates & Guide
Get the lowest rates and fastest delivery for shipping within your state
How much does same state shipping cost?
Same-state shipping costs $4-$7 for packages under 1 lb and $6-$12 for 1-5 lb packages. Intrastate shipping is Zone 1-4 (depending on state size), offering the lowest domestic rates. Delivery typically takes 1-3 days. For large states like California or Texas, Zone 4 may apply to opposite ends.
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| Carrier | Service | Price | Delivery Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USPS | Ground Advantage (1 lb) Zone 1-2 | $4.50 | 1-2 days | Cheapest |
| USPS | Ground Advantage (1 lb) Zone 3-4 | $5.75 | 2-3 days | |
| USPS | Priority Mail (2 lb) | $8.50 | 1-2 days | |
| UPS | Ground (5 lb) Zone 2 | $9.25 | 1-2 days | |
| FedEx | Ground (5 lb) Zone 2 | $9.50 | 1-2 days |
Ground Advantage (1 lb) Zone 1-2
Ground Advantage (1 lb) Zone 3-4
Priority Mail (2 lb)
Ground (5 lb) Zone 2
Ground (5 lb) Zone 2
* Prices shown are discounted ShipWave rates. Actual rates vary by exact dimensions, weight, and origin/destination.
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Why Same-State Shipping is Cheapest
Same-state (intrastate) shipping offers the lowest domestic rates because packages travel shorter distances and pass through fewer handling facilities.
Shipping zones are based on distance between zip codes. Within small states (Rhode Island, Connecticut), most shipments are Zone 1-2. Large states (California, Texas) may have Zone 3-4 for cross-state shipments.
Local routing also means faster delivery - often 1-2 days even with ground services.
Zone Variations by State Size
Small States (RI, CT, DE, NJ): Almost all intrastate shipping is Zone 1-2. Maximum savings.
Medium States (OH, PA, NY, IL): Zone 1-2 for nearby cities, Zone 3 for opposite ends.
Large States (CA, TX, FL, AK): Zone 1-3 typical, Zone 4 possible. LA to San Francisco is Zone 3; Miami to Pensacola is Zone 4.
Extra Large (AK, HI): Alaska and Hawaii have special pricing regardless of intrastate distance.
Same-State Shipping Strategies
Use ground services: Zone 1-3 ground often delivers as fast as Priority Mail at 30-50% lower cost. Test delivery times before committing to expensive services.
Consider local carriers: Regional carriers like OnTrac (West), Spee-Dee (Midwest), or LSO (Texas) offer competitive same-state rates.
Leverage fast ground delivery: Same-state ground often arrives next-day, making express services unnecessary for most shipments.
Pro Tips to Save More
Ground often matches Priority speed
Within-state ground frequently delivers in 1-2 days. Test with non-urgent packages before paying Priority Mail premiums.
Check regional carrier rates
OnTrac, Spee-Dee, LSO, and other regional carriers specialize in specific states with competitive rates and fast delivery.
Know your state's zone range
Large states span multiple zones. Shipping from San Diego to San Francisco is Zone 3, not Zone 1. Calculate accurately.
Consider local pickup/delivery
For truly local shipping (same city), services like courier delivery or local pickup may be more economical than carrier shipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Yes, same-state shipping is the cheapest domestic option. Zone 1-4 rates are 30-60% lower than Zone 7-8 cross-country rates. A 1 lb package shipping within-state costs $4-6 vs $8-12 coast-to-coast.
- Ground shipping within the same state takes 1-3 days. Priority Mail delivers in 1-2 days. Many same-state ground packages arrive next-day, especially within the same region of a state.
- Same-state shipping is typically Zone 1-4 depending on distance and state size. Small states are Zone 1-2. Large states like California or Texas can be Zone 3-4 for opposite ends.
- USPS is usually cheapest for packages under 5 lbs. UPS Ground offers predictable delivery dates and better tracking for business use. For very local shipping (Zone 1), costs are similar.
- All carriers use zone-based pricing, so same-state shipping is automatically cheaper due to shorter distances. No special "same state" discount exists - it's built into zone pricing.
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