We quoted the same 25 x 20 x 10 cm carton at every weight step on both lanes and copied the numbers over untouched.
Ground Saver vs Ground, weight by weight
The test parcel is a packed carton of 25 x 20 x 10 cm, roughly 10 x 8 x 4 inches, re-quoted at ten weights. Ground Saver rows came back with a transit estimate instead of a range: 4 business days on the eastern lane, 6 on the western one. Totals are what checkout collects, with SMKlog's charge already inside.
Newark, NJ 07102 to Atlanta, GA 30303
| Weight | UPS Ground Saver | UPS Ground | UPS Ground transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 lb | – | $10.31 | 3-4 business days |
| 2 lb | $10.52 | $11.07 | 3-4 business days |
| 3 lb | $12.07 | $12.47 | 3-4 business days |
| 5 lb | $13.65 | $14.05 | 3-4 business days |
| 10 lb | $17.56 | $21.94 | 3-4 business days |
| 15 lb | $20.50 | $23.70 | 3-4 business days |
| 20 lb | $23.00 | $27.27 | 3-4 business days |
| 30 lb | $51.79 | $31.52 | 3-4 business days |
| 40 lb | $59.75 | $38.45 | 3-4 business days |
| 50 lb | $66.50 | $45.01 | 3-4 business days |
Los Angeles, CA 90011 to New York, NY 10001
| Weight | UPS Ground Saver | UPS Ground | UPS Ground transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 lb | – | $12.99 | 6-7 business days |
| 2 lb | $13.29 | $13.69 | 6-7 business days |
| 3 lb | $15.53 | $15.93 | 6-7 business days |
| 5 lb | $19.25 | $19.30 | 6-7 business days |
| 10 lb | $25.51 | $29.03 | 6-7 business days |
| 15 lb | $30.48 | $34.71 | 6-7 business days |
| 20 lb | $35.06 | $42.13 | 6-7 business days |
| 30 lb | $73.62 | $51.92 | 6-7 business days |
| 40 lb | $87.66 | $65.52 | 6-7 business days |
| 50 lb | $98.50 | $76.04 | 6-7 business days |
Read the two price columns together and a pattern jumps out. From 2 through 20 lb, Ground Saver sits under Ground on every single row of both lanes; at 10 lb from Newark it's $17.56 against $21.94. Then the curve snaps: the 30 lb Newark row prices at $51.79 on Saver while Ground asks $31.52, and Los Angeles shows the same reversal at $73.62 versus $51.92. Heavy parcels are where the economy label turns expensive.
Mind the 30 lb cliff
Both lanes flipped between 20 and 30 lb in our capture. If your packed box lands anywhere near that band, quote it at the real weight rather than a guess; a bathroom-scale error of a few pounds can put you on the wrong side of a twenty-dollar swing.
The post office finishes many deliveries
Saver parcels commonly transfer to USPS for the final stretch. That makes the tier a practical pick for addresses regular UPS drivers treat as out-of-the-way, and it explains why the quoted estimate runs a day or two behind Ground.
Direction changes the answer
The identical carton at 5 lb quoted $13.65 eastbound and $19.25 westbound on Saver. Lanes price individually, so a rate you remember from last month's shipment in the other direction tells you little about today's.
Ground Saver questions, answered from the data
Is UPS Ground Saver cheaper than UPS Ground?
Only up to a point. In our 2026-07-27 capture it undercut Ground at every weight from 2 to 20 lb on both lanes, then the order reversed hard: a 30 lb box from Newark quoted $51.79 on Ground Saver against $31.52 on Ground. Past 20 lb, price both tiers before assuming.
How long does UPS Ground Saver take?
Our quotes carried an estimate of 4 business days on the Newark to Atlanta lane and 6 business days from Los Angeles to New York, without a stated range. The last stretch is often handed to your local post office, which adds a little variability at the doorstep.
Why is there no 1 lb Ground Saver price in the table?
The tier we resell applies to parcels over 1 lb, so the 1 lb quote sets came back without it. At exactly 1 lb the capture showed UPS Ground at $10.31 from Newark and $12.99 from Los Angeles instead.
Are these the amounts I would actually pay?
Yes, on quote day. Each figure is the full checkout total from 2026-07-27, SMKlog's charge included, for the box described above. Carriers refile prices often, so treat the table as a snapshot and pull a fresh quote for your own ZIPs.