If you’re standing by the window waiting for the mail truck, you might be waiting a long time. Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. Usually, Sundays are the one day of the week you can count on a quiet mailbox, but this weekend is a bit different because of what’s happening tomorrow.
Is postal service open today? Not in the way you’re likely hoping. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) doesn’t run regular residential delivery on Sundays, and tomorrow, Monday, January 19, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Since that's a federal holiday, the post office is essentially extending their weekend.
The Reality of the MLK Day Weekend Shutdown
Most people don't realize that a holiday landing on a Monday creates a 48-hour "dead zone" for standard mail. Today, the local retail counters are closed. Your local postmaster and the carriers are off duty. If you have a package that was "out for delivery" yesterday and didn't make it, it's probably sitting in a sorting bin right now and won't move until Tuesday morning.
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That's the big catch. Because MLK Day is a federal holiday, the USPS follows a strict schedule:
- Sunday, Jan 18: Closed (Standard Sunday schedule).
- Monday, Jan 19: Closed (Federal Holiday observance).
- Tuesday, Jan 20: Normal operations resume.
Honestly, it can be frustrating if you're waiting on a check or a specific document. But there is one small exception. USPS Priority Mail Express often keeps moving. This is their "premium" service. If someone paid the high-tier overnight fee, there’s a chance a specialized driver might show up, but for 99% of us, the mailbox stays empty.
What About UPS and FedEx?
You might see a brown or white truck rolling through your neighborhood today, but don't get your hopes up too high. UPS and FedEx have their own rules for this specific holiday weekend in 2026.
UPS treats MLK Day as a full holiday. They won't be picking up or delivering standard Ground or Air packages tomorrow. Today, being Sunday, they are also largely inactive for standard residential services. FedEx is a little more "kinda-sorta" about it. While they do have some modified services running, most of their standard operations are paused.
If you absolutely must get a package out today, your best bet is a FedEx Office location. Many of them stay open even when the trucks aren't moving. You can drop your box off, but just know it’ll likely sit there until the Tuesday morning rush.
Self-Service is Your Best Friend
If you're just looking for stamps or need to weigh a package, you don't actually need a human worker. Most post office lobbies stay open even when the counters are locked. You can use the Self-Service Kiosks (SSK).
These machines are actually pretty great. You can:
- Buy stamp booklets.
- Weigh a package and print a shipping label.
- Get a tracking number.
- Drop small packages into the secure bin.
It's a lifesaver if you have a bill that must be postmarked by a certain date. Dropping it in the blue box or the lobby bin today ensures it's the first thing they scan when they walk back into the building on Tuesday.
Planning Your Week Ahead
Since the mail is effectively "stuck" until Tuesday, January 20, expect a massive bottleneck. When the postal service reopens after a three-day break (Saturday-Monday), the volume is double or triple what it usually is.
This means your mail carrier might be running late on Tuesday. If your mail usually arrives at 2:00 PM, don't be shocked if it's 5:30 PM before you hear the lid of the mailbox clink. They’re essentially processing three days of letters and Amazon boxes in a single shift.
Actionable Steps for Today
- Check your tracking: If your USPS tracking says "Arriving by Monday," it's probably wrong. Expect it Tuesday.
- Use the Kiosk: If you have to ship something, go to the post office lobby now to beat the Tuesday morning line.
- Digital alternatives: If you're waiting for a bill or a check, check your bank's app or the vendor's website. Most financial institutions are also closed tomorrow, so electronic transfers might be your only move.
- Informed Delivery: If you haven't signed up for the USPS "Informed Delivery" service, do it today. You'll get an email every morning with a grayscale scan of what's actually in your mail stream, so you don't have to walk out to the curb for nothing.
The postal service will be back in full swing on Tuesday morning. For today and tomorrow, take the hint from the carriers and enjoy the break.