You’re standing there with a stack of bills, a birthday card for your aunt, or maybe that return package you’ve been meaning to drop off for three weeks. You wonder: is the us postal open today? Honestly, there’s nothing more annoying than driving all the way to the post office only to find those heavy blue doors locked tight and the lobby lights dimmed.
The short answer? Yes. Today is Thursday, January 15, 2026, and the United States Postal Service is operating on a normal schedule. No federal holidays are clogging up the works today. You can expect your mail carrier to swing by your house at the usual (sometimes unpredictable) time, and your local retail branch will be open for business.
Why Today is a Green Light for Your Mail
It's easy to get confused because January is a minefield of "is the post office open?" moments. We just crawled out of the New Year's Day slump, and we are currently sandwiched between two major events. We are past the January 1st shutdown, and we haven't quite hit the next big one yet.
The next time the entire system grinds to a halt is Monday, January 19, 2026, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Since today is only the 15th, you have a solid window to get your shipping done.
Today actually carries a bit of "postal flair" if you’re into that sort of thing. The USPS is officially dedicating the Muhammad Ali Forever stamps today at a ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky. While that doesn't change your local branch's hours, it’s a cool bit of trivia for the philatelists among us. It’s a normal business day, through and through.
Typical Hours: When Can You Actually Get Inside?
While the USPS is "open," that doesn't mean your specific local branch is open 24/7. Most people assume every post office follows a 9-to-5 grind, but that’s a bit of a myth.
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- Main City Hubs: Usually open early, around 8:00 AM or 8:30 AM, and stay open until 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM.
- Small Town Branches: These can be tricky. Some close for an hour at lunch (kinda old school, right?) or shut down as early as 3:30 PM.
- The "Lobby" Factor: Even if the retail counter is closed, many lobbies stay open 24 hours so you can access your PO Box or use the Self-Service Kiosk (APC).
If you’re planning a trip, basically just aim for the 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM window to be safe. That's the sweet spot where you won't get hit by the early morning rush or the "I'm leaving work and need to mail this" crowd.
What About FedEx and UPS?
Sometimes when people ask "is the us postal open today," they really just mean "can I send this box?"
UPS and FedEx are also fully operational today. They don't follow the federal holiday schedule exactly like the USPS does, but they usually stay open on the "minor" holidays anyway. Since today isn't a holiday at all, you've got your pick of the litter.
If you're in a massive rush, FedEx Office locations or The UPS Store often have later hours than the post office. Some FedEx spots are even open until 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM. Just keep in mind you'll pay a premium for that convenience compared to a standard USPS Ground Advantage rate.
Avoiding the "Locked Door" Surprise Next Time
Look, the USPS is pretty predictable once you know the 11 days they take off. In 2026, the big ones to watch out for after this week are:
- January 19 (MLK Jr. Day)
- February 16 (Presidents' Day)
- May 25 (Memorial Day)
If it’s a Monday and it feels like a "long weekend," there's a 90% chance the post office is closed. But for today, Thursday the 15th, you are totally in the clear.
Pro tip: If you just need to buy stamps or ship a simple package, check your local grocery store. Places like Publix, Kroger, or even some Walgreens sell stamps at the customer service desk. You don't always have to brave the line at the actual post office.
Before you head out, double-check your local branch's specific closing time on the official USPS website. It only takes a second and saves you the frustration of staring at a "Closed" sign through a glass door. If you have a package ready to go with a label already printed, you can also just schedule a free pickup for tomorrow on the USPS website and let the mail carrier do the heavy lifting for you.