UPS Ground priced lowest at 30, 40 and 50 lb on both 2026-07-27 test lanes. The matrices show every rival.
Heavy weights, both lanes, quoted 2026-07-27
Each column is a real quote for an appropriately sized carton at that weight, boxes stepping from about 20 × 16 × 12 in at 30 lb up to 24 × 18 × 14 in at 50 lb.
Newark, NJ 07102 to Atlanta, GA 30303
| Service | 30 lb | 40 lb | 50 lb |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS Ground | $31.52 lowest | $38.45 | $45.01 |
| FedEx Ground Economy | $33.05 | $47.92 | $55.23 |
| FedEx Ground | $43.15 | $53.64 | $63.45 |
| UPS 3 Day Select | $49.61 | $61.86 | $74.10 |
| UPS Ground Saver | $51.79 | $59.75 | $66.50 |
Los Angeles, CA 90011 to New York, NY 10001
| Service | 30 lb | 40 lb | 50 lb |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS Ground | $51.92 lowest | $65.52 | $76.04 |
| FedEx Ground Economy | $60.59 | $79.66 | $91.79 |
| UPS Ground Saver | $73.62 | $87.66 | $98.50 |
| FedEx Ground | $80.23 | $97.53 | $112.57 |
| UPS 3 Day Select | $87.88 | $110.64 | $131.88 |
A clean sweep: UPS Ground undercut everything in all six weight-lane combinations, from $31.52 up to $76.04. The services built for lightweight economy drift to the back of heavy boards, and eastern shippers got a bonus that day, the cheapest rows also carried the fastest 3-4 day windows.
Where parcel ends
The tables on this page are honest parcel territory. Past it, palletized freight usually beats forcing three overweight parcels. SMKlog sells parcel labels only and does not arrange pallet or freight shipments.
Dense beats bulky at every weight
A compact 40 lb box of tools prices as the tables show. A feather-light but sofa-sized box can quote higher than either, because volume gets billed once it outruns the scale.
Handle the label like cargo
Mark the weight on the outside, keep the label on the largest flat face, and never strap two boxes into one unit. Carriers re-measure heavy parcels more often than light ones.
Heavy shipping, straight answers
What is the cheapest way to ship a heavy package?
For 30 to 50 lb on 2026-07-27, UPS Ground took all six of our weight-lane cells, from $31.52 for 30 lb Newark to Atlanta up to $76.04 for 50 lb Los Angeles to New York.
At what point should I stop using parcel shipping?
When the box grows well past the 50 lb, 24 × 18 × 14 in territory shown here, or when there are several heavy boxes moving together. SMKlog sells parcel labels only and does not arrange pallet or freight shipments.
How fast do heavy parcels travel?
On the eastern lane the cheapest rows quoted 3-4 business days at every weight. Coast to coast, ground windows stretched to 6-7 days, with 3-4 day service available at a steep premium.
Does the price rise smoothly with weight?
Roughly, yes. The eastern floor went $31.52, $38.45, $45.01 across 30, 40 and 50 lb, a steady climb with no cliff between bands on that lane that day.