Checking the mailbox to find it empty is a tiny, specific kind of letdown. You’re waiting on that tax form, a birthday card from your aunt, or maybe just a new pair of shoes you ordered at 2 a.m. on a Tuesday. If you’re asking does US Postal Service run today, the answer is almost always a resounding yes—unless you’ve hit one of those pesky federal holidays that sneak up on the calendar.
Today is Wednesday, January 14, 2026. It's a normal Wednesday. There aren't any federal holidays today, which means your mail carrier is out there doing their thing. You can expect your letters, those thick stacks of coupons, and your packages to arrive at their usual time.
What about the post office buildings?
Post offices are fully operational today. If you need to buy stamps, send a certified letter, or finally mail back that return, the counters are open. Most local branches stick to their standard 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. window, though some smaller rural spots might take a long lunch.
The blue collection boxes are also being serviced. If you drop a letter in one before the last pickup time listed on the door, it’ll start its journey tonight. Basically, it’s business as usual for the USPS.
Does US Postal Service run today during holidays?
Even though they’re running today, things get confusing when holidays roll around. We just finished the New Year's Day rush, and the next big "stop" for the mail is right around the corner.
In 2026, the USPS observes 11 federal holidays. On these days, the heavy doors of the post office stay locked, and those iconic white trucks stay parked.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day: This is the big one coming up on Monday, January 19, 2026. If you're waiting for mail then, you'll be waiting until Tuesday.
- Presidents' Day: Monday, February 16, 2026.
- Memorial Day: Monday, May 25, 2026.
- Juneteenth: Friday, June 19, 2026.
- Independence Day: Saturday, July 4, 2026. Since it's a Saturday, the holiday is technically observed on Friday, July 3 for many federal workers, but the USPS typically closes on the actual holiday.
- Labor Day: Monday, September 7, 2026.
- Columbus Day: Monday, October 12, 2026.
- Veterans Day: Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
- Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 26, 2026.
- Christmas: Friday, December 25, 2026.
Honestly, the "Monday holidays" are the ones that trip people up. Because the mail doesn't run on Sunday, a Monday holiday creates a 48-hour dead zone where nothing moves. If you've got a bill due on a Tuesday after a holiday, you've gotta get it in the mail by the previous Friday just to be safe.
The Priority Mail Express loophole
There is one weird exception to the "no mail" rule. USPS Priority Mail Express. This is their premium, "I need it there yesterday" service.
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It actually delivers 365 days a year.
If it’s Christmas Day, a Sunday, or Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a Priority Mail Express package can still land on a doorstep. It costs a small fortune compared to a first-class stamp, but it's the only way to beat the holiday pause.
Why your mail might be late even if they're running
Sometimes you know for a fact the post office is open, but your mailbox is still a ghost town. It happens.
Weather is the most common culprit. The "neither snow nor rain" creed is a nice sentiment, but if a blizzard makes the roads impassable or a hurricane is barreling down the coast, the USPS will prioritize safety. If the trucks can't get from the regional hub to your local office, your mail isn't moving.
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Staffing shortages have also been a thing lately. You might see a "help wanted" sign at your local branch. When a route doesn't have a dedicated carrier, sometimes other carriers have to split the route after they finish their own. This leads to mail showing up at 7:00 p.m. or, in rare cases, not at all for that day.
Using Informed Delivery to stop guessing
If you’re tired of walking to the curb just to find out the mail hasn't come yet, you should probably sign up for Informed Delivery. It's a free service from the USPS where they email you photos of your mail before it arrives.
Every morning around 7:30 or 8:00, you get an email showing grayscale scans of the envelopes heading your way. It’s kinda addictive. It’ll also tell you about packages and give you the tracking numbers. If you see your tax refund in the email but not in the box, you know exactly when to start asking questions.
Real-world tips for shipping right now
Since the USPS is running today, it's a good time to handle any pending shipments before the MLK Day break next week.
Ground Advantage is the new standard for most people. It replaced First-Class Package Service and Retail Ground. It’s generally the cheapest way to send something that weighs more than a letter but doesn't need to be there in two days. It usually takes 2-5 business days.
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If you’re shipping something fragile, don't rely on a "Fragile" sticker. Those packages go through high-speed sorting machines that can't read. Use at least two inches of cushioning around your item. Seriously.
Also, if you're printing labels at home through a service like Pirate Ship or the USPS website, you can just leave the package for your carrier. You don't even have to go to the post office. Just schedule a pickup online or leave a note. It saves a lot of time and avoids the midday line at the counter.
Key takeaways for today
- Does US Postal Service run today? Yes, it is a standard business day.
- Are post offices open? Yes, standard hours apply.
- Is there mail delivery? Yes, for all mail classes including First-Class, Ground Advantage, and Priority.
- What's the next closure? Monday, January 19, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Check your tracking numbers early in the afternoon. Most residential deliveries happen between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., but if your carrier is running a double route, it might be later. If you're mailing something urgent today, try to get it to the post office before the late afternoon "cutoff" time—usually around 4:00 or 5:00 p.m.—to ensure it leaves the facility on tonight's truck. This prevents your mail from sitting in the local office overnight, which can shave a full day off the total delivery time.