It is Saturday, January 17, 2026, and if you are standing by your mailbox waiting for that package or a stack of bills, you can breathe easy. The US Postal Service is running today. Honestly, the confusion usually stems from the fact that we are smack in the middle of a holiday weekend. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, January 19, 2026. Because that is a federal holiday, everything shifts. But today? It’s a normal Saturday for the mail carriers. They’re out there.
You've probably noticed that the rhythm of the mail feels a bit different lately. Between the massive price hikes hitting tomorrow—yes, Sunday, January 18—and the looming holiday closure, today is basically the last "normal" window to get things moving before the system hits a speed bump.
Why the US Postal Service is Running Today (But Closing Soon)
Since today is Saturday, the USPS is operating on its standard weekend schedule. Most local post office branches are open, though many close early, often around noon or 1:00 PM. If you need to drop off a heavy box or buy stamps from a real person, you should probably head out now.
But here is the catch: Monday is a total shutdown.
On Monday, January 19, the post office observes MLK Day. That means:
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- No regular residential or business mail delivery.
- All retail post office locations are closed.
- No pickup from those blue collection boxes.
The only exception is Priority Mail Express. USPS keeps that moving 365 days a year, even on the biggest federal holidays, though you pay a premium for that "never-sleeps" service. If you’re using standard Ground Advantage or Priority Mail, nothing is moving on Monday.
The Sunday Price Jump
There is a specific reason you might want to visit a kiosk today. Tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, 2026, the USPS is implementing a significant price increase. We are looking at rates jumping roughly 6% to 8% across the board.
If you have a stack of packages ready for USPS Ground Advantage or Priority Mail, getting them scanned in today will literally save you money. Once the clock strikes midnight, the new 2026 rates kick in. It’s one of those small "insider" details that people usually miss until they see the higher total on the screen Monday morning.
Weather and Local Disruptions
Even though the schedule says "open," Mother Nature sometimes has other plans. Right now, there are active service alerts across several regions.
High winds and winter weather are currently battering parts of the Northern Plains and the Northeast. In places like North Dakota, Minnesota, and parts of New York, local postmasters have the authority to suspend delivery if the roads are genuinely unsafe for the carriers.
If your street looks like a skating rink, don't be shocked if the mail truck doesn't make it today. You can always check the USPS Service Alerts page, which provides real-time updates on facility closures due to "acts of God" or power outages. Honestly, it’s a better resource than just guessing based on the national calendar.
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What About FedEx and UPS?
It is a bit of a mixed bag if you’re looking for alternatives.
- UPS: They are running a normal Saturday schedule today. However, like the USPS, they will be closed on Monday, January 19, for MLK Day, except for their "Express Critical" service.
- FedEx: They actually stay open on Monday. While the government-backed mail stops, FedEx usually keeps their Ground and Express networks running on MLK Day, though some local offices might have modified hours.
The 2026 "Postmark" Controversy
There is a bit of a weird situation brewing that experts are talking about this week. Illinois county clerks just issued a warning about new USPS rules regarding postmarks.
Basically, as of late December 2024 and continuing into this 2026 election cycle, the date your mail is postmarked might not be the same day you dropped it off. This is a huge deal for anyone mailing legal documents or mail-in ballots.
If you drop something in a blue box today, Saturday, after the final collection time, it won't be processed until Tuesday. Why? Because Sunday is a non-processing day and Monday is a holiday. That three-day gap can be the difference between a document being "on time" or legally void.
Actionable Steps for Today
If you have urgent business with the US Postal Service today, here is the smartest way to handle it:
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- Beat the Clock: Go to the post office before noon. Most retail counters close early on Saturdays, and once they lock the doors, you're stuck using the Self-Service Kiosks.
- Ship Before Sunday: Since prices go up tomorrow (Jan 18), ship any pending packages today to lock in the lower 2025/early 2026 rates.
- Check the Blue Box: Look at the "Last Collection" time on the sticker. If you miss that window today, your mail will sit in that metal box until Tuesday morning because of the MLK Day holiday.
- Use the Kiosk: If the line is out the door, remember that most lobbies stay open 24/7 for the Self-Service Kiosks. You can weigh packages and buy postage without talking to a single soul.
The mail is definitely moving today, but the window is closing fast before the long holiday weekend takes over. Get your errands done now so you aren't stuck wondering where your package is come Monday morning.