You’re standing by the window, staring at the empty curb, wondering if you missed the sound of the Grumman LLV or if it’s just one of those days. We’ve all been there. You have a bill that needs to go out or a package you’re tracking like a hawk, and the silence from the mailbox is deafening.
Does the us mail run today?
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The short answer is yes. Since today is Thursday, January 15, 2026, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is operating on a normal schedule. There are no federal holidays currently pausing the machines or keeping the carriers at home. If your flag is up, they're coming.
The Confusion Around Mid-January
Honestly, it makes sense why you’re double-checking. We are currently sandwiched between the post-New Year's slump and the first major federal holiday of the year that actually halts the mail: Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Because Dr. King’s actual birthday is January 15, many people assume the post office shuts down today. It doesn't. While schools or local municipal offices might hold events today, the federal government—and by extension the USPS—observes the holiday on the third Monday of January.
In 2026, that falls on Monday, January 19. That is the day you can expect your mailbox to stay empty. Today, however, it’s business as usual.
Why Your Mail Might Feel Like It’s Not Running
Sometimes the mail "doesn't run" for reasons that have nothing to do with a calendar. If you're sitting there at 4:00 PM and the box is still empty, it's usually one of three things.
- Staffing shortages: It’s a real issue. If your regular carrier is out sick, a "floater" has to cover the route. They might be doing two routes in one day, meaning they won't get to your street until much later than usual.
- The "Last Mile" Bottleneck: The USPS recently reported that while on-time delivery scores are up, the average delivery time is roughly 2.5 days. If your package hasn't arrived, it might just be stuck in the "last mile" processing at your local Destination Delivery Unit (DDU).
- Weather Hurdles: Even though it’s 2026 and we have better tech, a sudden ice storm or heavy flooding in your region can still ground the fleet.
What About FedEx and UPS?
If you're looking for a package from a private carrier, they definitely run today. FedEx and UPS don't follow the federal holiday schedule to a T anyway, but since today isn't a holiday for anyone, they are out in full force.
Interestingly, there’s been a bit of a shift in how these companies interact. You've probably noticed that sometimes a UPS package shows up in a USPS truck. That's "SurePost." If you're tracking one of those, and the USPS says it’s "out for delivery" today, you'll get it.
Key Dates to Watch This Month
Since we're already talking about the schedule, you might want to mark your calendar for these upcoming postal shifts.
- Monday, Jan 19 (MLK Day): No regular mail. Post offices are closed.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: The day after a holiday is always a "heavy" day. Expect your mail to arrive slightly later than usual because the carriers are stuffed to the gills with two days' worth of letters.
Actionable Steps for Today
If you absolutely need to know where your mail is right now, don't just keep looking out the window.
First, check Informed Delivery. If you haven't signed up for this yet, you're missing out. It’s a free service where the USPS emails you a grayscale scan of the envelopes arriving in your box that day. If your dashboard is empty, you aren't getting mail today.
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Second, if you're waiting on a package and the tracking says "Delivered" but the box is empty, wait until tomorrow. Often, carriers will scan an item as delivered when they are still a block away to keep their metrics up, then realize they can't make it to your door before their shift ends. It usually shows up the next morning.
Basically, the mail is running. If your box is empty, it's likely just a light mail day or a late carrier.