Zones 1 to 9
Carriers slice the country into bands measured from your origin ZIP. Neighbouring states are usually zone 2 or 3; coast to coast is zone 7 to 9.
Distance and zones
How much does it cost to ship a package to another state?
Between $8.69 and $14.16 for the identical box, depending only on where it lands. Six real quotes from one origin, all of them run on 2026-07-24. Each price is the complete one, label and SMKlog's charge together, with no second number at checkout.
Live parcel ratesReal quotes, datedTracking included
Six destinations, one carton
Everything here came from a 2026-07-24 run on the exact box and ZIPs listed. Put your own pair in for a current number.
One box, six destinations
| Destination | Cheapest quote | Service | Estimated transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA 19103 | $8.69 | USPS Ground Advantage | 2-3 business days |
| Pittsburgh, PA 15201 | $8.72 | USPS Ground Advantage | 2-3 business days |
| Atlanta, GA 30303 | $8.94 | USPS Ground Advantage | 3-4 business days |
| Chicago, IL 60601 | $8.94 | USPS Ground Advantage | 3-4 business days |
| Los Angeles, CA 90001 | $14.16 | USPS Ground Advantage | 4-5 business days |
| Seattle, WA 98101 | $14.16 | USPS Ground Advantage | 4-5 business days |
Same carton, same day, same carriers: $8.69 to the nearest destination and $14.16 to the farthest. That $5.47 spread is the zone system, and it is why no published table can answer "how much to ship to another state" without your two ZIP codes.
How zones work
Weight multiplies distance
The zone gap grows with weight. A 1 lb box barely notices the country; a 50 lb box coast to coast costs nearly double the same box two states over.
Transit is not linear either
Ground services quote a business-day window that widens with distance. Paying for air only makes sense when the window actually matters.
Common questions
How much does it cost to ship a package to another state?
For a 12 × 9 × 6 in 5 lb box leaving New Jersey on 2026-07-24: $8.69 to Philadelphia, $8.94 to Chicago, and $14.16 to Los Angeles. State lines do not matter; zones do.
Is it cheaper to ship within the same state?
Usually, because it is a shorter zone — but not always. A long state like Texas or California can cost more end to end than crossing into a neighbouring state.
How long does ground shipping take across the country?
Typically four to six business days coast to coast, one to two for a neighbouring state. Carriers publish those as estimates rather than promises, and weather moves them.
Do I pay more for a residential address?
On UPS and FedEx, yes — residential delivery carries a surcharge that is already inside every price quoted here. USPS does not charge separately for residential.
Can I quote the price before I know the exact address?
Yes, ZIP codes are enough for an accurate rate. The full address is only needed when you buy the label.