About the St. Louis–Pittsburgh lane
What this lane costs
| — Weight | — USPS retail | — L5 estimated | — You save |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 lb | $8.05 | $4.83 | $3.22 (40%) |
| 5 lb | $14.85 | $8.91 | $5.94 (40%) |
| 10 lb | $24.55 | $14.73 | $9.82 (40%) |
| 25 lb | $44.40 | $26.64 | $17.76 (40%) |
| 50 lb | $75.90 | $45.54 | $30.36 (40%) |
Retail rates are USPS Ground Advantage at Zone 4. L5 estimate assumes a 40% commercial discount typical for shippers in our volume bands. Request a custom quote for binding rates.
Carrier comparison: USPS, UPS, FedEx
When picking a carrier for the origin-to-destination lane, weight class is what usually decides.
USPS: USPS's flat-rate boxes can be the cheapest option for dense, heavier items in the 5–20 lb range when they fit.
UPS: UPS Ground tends to win in the 10–70 lb band, especially on commercial-to-commercial deliveries.
FedEx: FedEx tends to win on transit reliability for time-definite commitments at the cost of higher rates.
Transit time and timing considerations
What L5 customers ship on this lane
Optimizing your costs on this corridor
For shippers running this lane regularly, here's where the cost optimization shows up:
- On lanes like this, hybrid services (USPS Ground Advantage with regional injection) often beat both single-carrier UPS and FedEx ground.
- Mid-zone lanes are where multi-carrier rate-shopping really shows up: differences between USPS, UPS, and FedEx can hit 25–40% on the same package.
About St. Louis as a shipping origin
About Pittsburgh as a destination
Frequently asked questions
What USPS zone is the St. Louis to Pittsburgh route?
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This lane is USPS Zone 4 (301–600 mi). Zones are calculated from the first three digits of each ZIP and represent the distance band between Sectional Center Facilities. Lower zones mean lower rates and faster transit.
Is overnight shipping available from St. Louis to Pittsburgh?
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Yes. UPS Next Day Air, FedEx Priority Overnight, and USPS Priority Mail Express all serve this lane. Pricing varies by weight and dimensions — typically $30–$120 for parcels under 10 pounds. For most shippers, overnight only makes sense for time-critical commitments.
Can I get insurance on shipments going from St. Louis to Pittsburgh?
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Yes — every L5 shipment includes baseline carrier liability (typically $100 per parcel). For high-value shipments, declared-value coverage is available at competitive rates. We file claims on your behalf if anything goes wrong.
How do I get a real rate quote for shipments on this lane?
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Use the L5 rate calculator for an official rate by service, weight and zone, or contact our team with your typical shipment profile (volume per week, average weight, dimensions). We'll send back an apples-to-apples comparison versus your current shipping setup within 24 hours.
Get a custom rate for this lane
If you ship from St. Louis to Pittsburgh regularly, we can build a custom rate program around your actual volume and shipment profile. Speak with us and a named account rep will send a detailed comparison versus your current shipping setup within one business day.