You’re standing in front of a heavy glass door with a stack of boxes, and the handle won't budge. We’ve all been there. It’s 5:01 PM on a Tuesday, or maybe it’s a random Monday that feels like a workday but is actually a federal holiday you forgot existed. Figuring out what time are post offices open shouldn't feel like solving a cryptic puzzle, yet here we are.
Honestly, the United States Postal Service (USPS) doesn't make it easy because there is no single "standard" time for every location. A tiny outpost in rural Nebraska might close for lunch while a massive hub in Chicago stays open until nearly midnight.
The Reality of Retail Hours vs. Lobby Access
Most people think of "open" as the time a human being is standing behind the counter ready to scan your package. That’s actually the Retail Window Hours. Generally, most urban and suburban post offices open their retail counters between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM and close between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM on weekdays.
But here is where it gets interesting.
👉 See also: Animal Print Animal Print: Why This Double-Take Trend is Actually a Wardrobe Essential
The Lobby Access Hours are often much longer. If you just need to drop a pre-paid package into a bin or check your PO Box, you can often do that as early as 6:00 AM or as late as 10:00 PM. Some locations even offer 24-hour lobby access.
- Retail Window: When you can buy stamps, ship international, or talk to a clerk.
- Lobby Access: When the outer door is unlocked for PO Box users and automated kiosks.
- Self-Service Kiosks: These are the real MVPs. They’re usually available whenever the lobby is open, allowing you to weigh packages and buy postage without ever talking to a soul.
Weekend Schedules Are a Total Wildcard
Saturday is a coin toss. If you live in a big city, your local branch probably opens around 9:00 AM and shuts down by 1:00 PM or 2:00 PM. In smaller towns? You might only have a narrow window from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
And Sunday? Basically, forget about it.
With very few exceptions (like major regional hubs such as the James A. Farley Building in New York, which used to be 24/7 but has scaled back), retail windows are closed on Sundays. However, if you have a PO Box, you might still be able to get into the lobby.
What Time Are Post Offices Open on Holidays in 2026?
The USPS observes 11 federal holidays. If the holiday falls on a Sunday, the post office usually closes on the following Monday. If it's a Saturday holiday, they might close the Friday before.
For 2026, keep these specific dates on your radar:
- New Year’s Day: Thursday, January 1 (Closed)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 19 (Closed)
- Presidents' Day: Monday, February 16 (Closed)
- Memorial Day: Monday, May 25 (Closed)
- Juneteenth: Friday, June 19 (Closed)
- Independence Day: Saturday, July 4 (Closed)
- Labor Day: Monday, September 7 (Closed)
- Columbus Day: Monday, October 12 (Closed)
- Veterans Day: Wednesday, November 11 (Closed)
- Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 26 (Closed)
- Christmas Day: Friday, December 25 (Closed)
The Passport Service Trap
Don’t just show up at 4:30 PM expecting to get your passport photo taken. Passport services almost always have different hours than the regular mail desk. Most offices require an appointment, and those slots usually end an hour or two before the retail counter closes.
I’ve seen dozens of people get turned away because they didn't realize the "Passport Fair" or walk-in hours were only from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Always check the specific USPS Retail Customer Appointment System online before you make the trip.
Pro Tips for Beating the Clock
If you’re racing against a deadline, remember that the "Postmark" matters. If the retail window closes at 5:00 PM, but the "Last Collection" time on the blue box outside says 4:00 PM, your mail isn't moving until tomorrow.
- Check the "Last Collection" time. It's usually printed on a small sticker on the collection bin.
- Use the USPS App. It uses your GPS to find the nearest open location and—crucially—tells you their specific retail hours for today.
- Approved Postal Providers. Places like Walgreens, Costco, or your local grocery store often sell stamps and sometimes ship packages during their normal business hours, which are usually much later than the post office.
If you really need to ship something at 9:00 PM on a Tuesday, your best bet is often a private carrier like FedEx or UPS, but even their retail storefronts (like The UPS Store) typically close by 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM.
The smartest move is to verify your specific branch using the Official USPS Locator. It is the only 100% accurate source for whether that specific door will be locked when you get there.
To ensure your mail actually goes out today, verify the "Last Collection" time at your local branch rather than just the closing time. If you missed the window, look for a "Self-Service Kiosk" location, which often allows for later drop-offs in secured bins.