Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026. If you’re standing by the window waiting for that Amazon package or wondering if it's worth driving to the local post office with a stack of returns, here is the short answer: Yes, USPS is working today.
But wait. There’s a "kinda" attached to that. Since it’s Saturday, the rules are a little different than a standard Tuesday. Most post office retail counters have shorter hours on Saturdays—often closing by noon or 2:00 PM—and while mail carriers are out on their routes, they’re mostly focused on Priority Mail and packages rather than the deep piles of junk mail you get during the week.
Why the Confusion About the Schedule?
Honestly, the reason people keep asking "is USPS working today" this weekend is because we are staring down a federal holiday. Monday, January 19, 2026, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Because the holiday falls on a Monday, the "holiday weekend" vibes start early. While the Post Office is definitely open today (Saturday) and running limited package deliveries tomorrow (Sunday), everything comes to a screeching halt on Monday. If you have something urgent, today is basically your last chance to get it into the system before the Tuesday morning reset.
Is USPS Working Today for Delivery?
Yes. If you are expecting a letter or a package, the blue trucks are out.
Saturday delivery is standard for USPS, though it usually feels a bit lighter. They prioritize Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail. If you’re waiting on a standard first-class letter from your aunt in Ohio, it might show up today, or it might wait until Tuesday if the route is heavy.
Here is how the next 48 hours look:
- Today (Saturday, Jan 17): Full residential delivery. Retail lobbies are open, but check your local zip code because many close early on Saturdays.
- Tomorrow (Sunday, Jan 18): No regular mail. However, USPS does deliver Priority Mail Express and certain Amazon packages on Sundays in most major metro areas.
- Monday (Monday, Jan 19): No delivery. No retail service. It's a federal holiday.
What About the Post Office Lobbies?
If you just need to drop a pre-paid package in the bin, most post office lobbies are actually open 24/7. You can walk in, use the self-service kiosk (if your location has one), and drop your box.
But if you need to talk to a human being to weigh a package or buy stamps, you need to move fast. Most small-town branches shut their windows at 11:00 AM or 12:00 PM on Saturdays. Larger city hubs might stay open until 3:00 PM.
Does the Trump Administration’s Recent Policy Affect This?
There has been some chatter online about changes to federal holiday observances in 2026. To be clear: while the current administration has made adjustments to things like fee-free days at National Parks—moving some to June 14th (the President's birthday and Flag Day)—Martin Luther King Jr. Day remains a protected federal holiday.
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The USPS follows the federal calendar set by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Since MLK Day is a legal public holiday under 5 U.S.C. 6103, the Postal Service will be closed this coming Monday, regardless of other administrative shifts in park fees or minor scheduling tweaks.
Handling the Monday Gap
Since you know now that is USPS working today, you should probably use this window of time wisely. If you miss the cutoff today, your mail is going to sit in a blue box or a sorting facility for about 60 hours.
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If you have a "must-get-there-now" situation and you’ve already missed the Saturday window, you have a few options. FedEx and UPS often operate on different schedules. While UPS usually closes for MLK Day, FedEx Office locations often stay open, even if their delivery drivers are off.
Expert Tips for Saturday Mailing
- Check the Last Collection Time: Look at the sticker on the blue collection box. If it says the last pickup is 10:00 AM on Saturday and it’s currently 2:00 PM, that mail isn't moving until Tuesday.
- Use the Kiosk: If the line is out the door, use the Automated Postal Center (APC). It prints postage and gives you a receipt that works for tracking.
- Priority Mail Express: This is the only service that technically "works" on the Monday holiday, but it costs a fortune. If you send it today (Saturday), it’ll likely arrive Sunday or Monday despite the holiday.
Basically, if you have errands to run, do them now. The post office is humming along for a few more hours before the long weekend officially puts the brakes on the mail.
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Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify your local hours: Use the USPS Post Office Locator to see if your specific branch closes at noon or later today.
- Drop your mail before 4 PM: Even if the retail counter is closed, many hubs do one final sweep of the indoor drop slots in the late afternoon.
- Plan for the Monday blackout: Ensure any bills or time-sensitive documents are dispatched today to avoid the MLK Day delivery pause.