You’re standing by the window, peering out for that familiar white-and-blue truck. Maybe you're waiting on a tax document, a birthday card from Grandma, or that package you ordered at 2 AM on Tuesday. It’s Sunday, January 18, 2026. You’re asking yourself: do us postal service run today?
The short answer is: mostly no, but kinda yes.
Honestly, the way the USPS handles weekends and holidays is a bit of a maze. Since today is a Sunday, you shouldn't expect your regular mail carrier to come whistling up the driveway with a stack of bills and circulars. Standard residential and business delivery is a no-go on Sundays.
But wait. If you see a postal worker scurrying around your neighborhood today, you aren't hallucinating. They are definitely out there.
The Sunday Delivery Loophole
So, why are those trucks moving if the post office is "closed"?
Basically, the USPS has a massive deal with major retailers—most notably Amazon. Because of these contracts, they deliver packages on Sundays in most major metropolitan areas and even many smaller suburbs. If you have an Amazon haul or a Priority Mail Express package arriving, it very well might land on your porch today, January 18.
But standard first-class letters? Forget about it. Those are sitting tight in the sorting facility.
There is another layer to this today. We are currently on the eve of a federal holiday. Tomorrow, Monday, January 19, 2026, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This creates a "dead zone" for mail that catches people off guard every single year.
Why Tomorrow Makes Today Even More Complicated
Since tomorrow is a federal holiday, the US Postal Service will be fully observing it. That means the "no delivery" rule for regular mail extends from today straight through tomorrow.
If you’re waiting for something important, here is the reality:
- Sunday, Jan 18: Only Priority Mail Express and certain Amazon/retail packages move.
- Monday, Jan 19 (MLK Day): Only Priority Mail Express moves. Retail lobbies are locked.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: Normal life resumes. The backlog hits your mailbox.
It’s easy to get frustrated. You’ve got stuff to send, or you’re expecting a check. But the USPS is a government-adjacent behemoth, and they stick to the federal calendar like glue. According to the 2026 USPS Holiday Schedule, MLK Day is one of the eleven days a year where the gears almost entirely stop turning.
What stays open when the mail stops?
Even though the carriers aren't out in full force, the USPS hasn't completely vanished. Most post offices have lobbies that stay open 24/7 if they have P.O. Boxes. You can walk in, use the Self-Service Kiosks (SSKs), and buy stamps or weigh a package.
I’ve done this plenty of times. You scan your box, pay with a card, and drop it in the bin. It won't leave the building today or tomorrow, but it’s out of your house. That counts for something, right?
Real-World Logistics: FedEx and UPS vs. USPS
People always ask if the private guys are running. It’s a fair question because they don't follow the same rulebook.
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For today, Sunday the 18th, FedEx Home Delivery is generally active. They’ve moved to a seven-day-a-week model for most of the country. UPS, on the other hand, is pretty quiet on Sundays unless it's their "SurePost" service (which actually hands the package off to the USPS for the final leg—meaning it might not move today anyway).
Tomorrow is where they diverge. While the post office is shuttered for MLK Day, FedEx and UPS usually stay open. They might have "modified service," but they aren't taking the full day off like the federal workers. If you’re desperate to ship something tomorrow, head to a UPS Store or a FedEx Office location. They'll take your money.
The "Non-Widely Observed" Myth
There’s a weird bit of postal trivia you should know. Inside the USPS, they sometimes refer to MLK Day as a "non-widely observed" holiday in the business world. This doesn't mean they don't observe it—they definitely do. It means other businesses stay open.
Because banks and post offices close but many offices and shops stay open, there’s often a massive spike in outgoing mail created on Monday that just sits in blue collection boxes.
Pro tip: Do not stuff a blue collection box on a Sunday or a holiday Monday if you can avoid it. Those boxes can get overstuffed, and since nobody is emptying them, your mail is just sitting ducks for 48 hours. Wait until Tuesday morning.
Summary of the 2026 Holiday Slog
To keep your expectations in check for the rest of the year, remember that the USPS will also be closed on:
- Presidents' Day - Monday, Feb 16
- Memorial Day - Monday, May 25
- Juneteenth - Friday, June 19
- Independence Day - Saturday, July 4 (observed Friday, July 3)
Each of these follows the same pattern. No regular mail, closed windows, but the occasional ghost-truck delivering an Amazon box.
What You Should Do Right Now
If you are currently wondering "do us postal service run today" because you have an urgent deadline, here is your action plan:
- Check your tracking number. If it doesn't say "Priority Mail Express," it is not coming today.
- Use the Kiosk. If you need to send a letter, find a 24-hour lobby with a kiosk. It will get a digital postmark for today, which can be legally important for things like late payments or applications.
- Check the porch. If you're expecting a package from a major retailer, keep your eyes peeled. The "Sunday delivery" crews are separate from your usual mailman.
- Relax until Tuesday. For 90% of mail, nothing is going to happen until Tuesday morning, January 20.
The postal system is an aging, complex machine. It’s frustrating when you need it and it’s paused, but knowing the schedule helps you avoid standing at the curb like a lonely statue. Grab a coffee, enjoy the Sunday, and wait for the Tuesday rush.