If you’ve got something urgent that needs to go in the mail, then chances are that you’re looking for an express shipping service you can count on. There are a lot of companies out there offering services like these, so how do you choose?
In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at FedEx Express to help you decide if this is the right service for you. More specifically, we’ll look at the different types of express shipping services and how these compare to other companies.
How Fast Is FedEx Express In [currentyear]?
FedEx Express delivers in 1 to 3 business days in [currentyear]. Overnight services include FedEx First Overnight, Priority Overnight and Standard Overnight. Two- to three-day services include 2Day AM, 2Day, and Express Saver. First Overnight is the fastest service, with delivery promised by 8 AM to most addresses. FedEx Express is faster than Priority Mail but is comparable to UPS.
To get even more details about FedEx’s Express shipping options, along with other related facts, keep reading!
What Is FedEx Express?
FedEx Express’ network focuses on delivering packages by a certain time (i.e., time-definite delivery).
This strategy is different from FedEx’s Ground network, which focuses on delivering packages by a certain day.
Overnight Express services, including FedEx First Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight, and FedEx Standard Overnight, come with a money-back guarantee.
That means if your package arrives even one minute past the posted delivery time, you’re eligible to receive a refund for the cost of shipping.
How Fast Is FedEx Express?
FedEx’s Express services are broken down into 2 groups: overnight shipping and 2-3 day shipping.
As the name suggests, overnight packages arrive the next business day, while 2-3 day packages arrive in 2 to 3 business days.
Within each of these groups, there are 3 tiers of service. Let’s take a look at the delivery times for each one:
- FedEx First Overnight packages arrive the next business day between 8:00 – 9:30 AM
- Priority Overnight arrives the next business day by 10:30 AM
- Standard Overnight arrives the next business day by 3:00 PM
Two- to three-day shipping options include 2Day AM, 2Day, and Express Saver.
- 2Day AM packages arrive by 10:30 AM on the second business day
- 2Day packages arrive by 4:30 PM on the second business day
- Express Saver packages arrive by 4:30 PM on the third business day
What Is the Fastest Delivery Service for FedEx?
FedEx First Overnight is the fastest delivery option the company offers.
With this service, you can expect to receive your package or envelope by 8:00 AM the next business day in most areas.
Extended areas (i.e., those that are rural) receive the First Overnight deliveries by 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, or 2:00 PM.
Is FedEx Ground Faster Than Express?
FedEx Ground is not faster than FedEx Express.
In general, FedEx Ground promises delivery in 1 to 5 business days within the continental United States and in 3 to 7 business days to Alaska and Hawaii.
FedEx Express shipments arrive either overnight or in 2 to 3 business days.
While these delivery times may seem comparable, Express shipping, even with Express Saver, will move your packages more quickly. That’s especially true if you’re shipping long-distance.
There are a couple of reasons behind this.
For one, FedEx Express uses mostly airplanes to transport packages, whereas FedEx Ground uses trucks.
It goes without saying that planes get packages where they need to go much faster.
It’s also the case that Express services focus on delivering by a specific time. Ground deliveries focus on delivering by a specific date.
Because Express shipments are time-bound (and sometimes backed with a money-back guarantee), deliveries arrive more quickly.
Is FedEx Express Faster Than UPS?
When looking at both companies’ express shipping options, both FedEx Express and UPS offer similar services for domestic routes.
For example, both FedEx First Overnight and UPS Next Day Air Early offer delivery in 1 business day by 8:00 AM.
Similarly, both FedEx Priority Overnight and UPS Next Day Air offer delivery in 1 business day by 10:30 AM.
When it comes to international shipping, UPS is usually faster than FedEx because it has a more extensive network outside of the United States.
Is FedEx Express Faster Than Priority Mail Express?
On average, FedEx Express tends to be faster than USPS Priority Mail Express.
Whereas FedEx Standard Overnight promises delivery by 3:00 PM, Priority Mail Express can take up until 6:00 PM to make next-day deliveries.
In addition, FedEx offers more overnight options that get packages into customers’ hands as early as the morning of the next business day.
USPS only offers one delivery time for Priority Mail Express.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on what does operational delay mean FedEx, is FedEx government-owned, and are FedEx packages insured.
Conclusion
Depending on the FedEx Express service you select, you could have your package as soon as the morning of the next business day. Naturally, the fastest services are also the most expensive, but FedEx also offers a variety of cheaper 2- to 3-day Express services.
In general, FedEx and UPS are quite comparable when it comes to their express delivery times (at least domestically), but FedEx is much faster than USPS Priority Mail Express.
