To know when UPS will arrive, track the package on ups.com or in the UPS app and look for the estimated delivery date and time window. Then join UPS My Choice (free) to get delivery-day alerts and, once the package is out for delivery, a narrower estimated window. UPS says Ground packages usually arrive at homes between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays, and sometimes later.
This page is about predicting when the driver will show up. To follow a package’s journey and read each status, start with our UPS tracking guide.
What Hours Does UPS Deliver?
UPS says Ground packages are generally delivered Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. to residences, and sometimes later. Business addresses get deliveries during their normal business hours. UPS also says drivers can deliver as late as 9 p.m. on an ordinary day, and even later during the holiday season.
Your exact time depends on where your address falls on the driver’s route that day, so the same address can get a morning delivery one week and an evening delivery the next. Our guide to what time UPS delivers covers cutoffs and weekend service in more detail.
If a package marked “Out for Delivery” doesn’t arrive that day, UPS says it will try again on the next business day.
How Do You See Your UPS Delivery Window?
Enter the tracking number on ups.com or in the UPS app. The tracking page shows the scheduled delivery date, and for many residential packages it also shows an estimated time window on the delivery day. If you don’t have the number, our guide to the UPS tracking number shows where to find it.
The estimate gets more precise as the package moves. Each scan updates the tracking history, and our explainer on when and how UPS scans packages explains why a package can go quiet between hubs without being late. The best signal that delivery is close is the “Out for Delivery” status: the package is on the truck and should arrive that day.
- Track the package and note the scheduled delivery date.
- Select “Get Updates” on the tracking page to receive status alerts by email or text.
- Check again on the delivery morning for an estimated time window once the package is loaded.
- Open the Follow My Delivery map (My Choice members) when it appears, about an hour before the window.
What Does UPS My Choice Show About Arrival Time?
UPS My Choice is the most reliable way to know when UPS will arrive at your door. The free membership shows incoming packages addressed to you, sends delivery notifications, shows estimated delivery times, and shares delivery photos. You don’t need to wait for the seller to send a tracking number.
| Feature | What it tells you | Who gets it |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated delivery time | A time estimate on the delivery day, generally a 4-hour window | All My Choice members |
| Delivery alerts | Notices when the package ships, goes out for delivery, and is delivered | All My Choice members |
| Follow My Delivery map | The driver’s location as your stop approaches | Logged-in members, once out for delivery |
| Confirmed 2-hour window | A narrower confirmed window chosen inside the 4-hour estimate | Members, for a fee; Premium includes two requests a year |
| Delivery photo | Where the driver left the package | Members, on many residential deliveries |
UPS lets members request the confirmed 2-hour window from two days before the scheduled delivery until the morning of the delivery day. UPS doesn’t charge for it unless the package is delivered within the confirmed window. To decide whether the paid tier is worth it, see our breakdown of whether UPS My Choice is worth it.
When does the Follow My Delivery map appear?
UPS shows the live map only when three conditions are met. The package must be “Out for Delivery”. You must be logged in as a My Choice or My Choice for Business member. In the U.S., the stated delivery window or service commitment time must be about an hour away. If UPS hasn’t given an estimated window, the map won’t appear.
How Does the UPS Service Affect When It Arrives?
The shipping service the sender chose sets the delivery date and, for air services, a time-of-day commitment. UPS says Ground packages can’t be scheduled for a specific time, while express shipments have guaranteed delivery times that vary by service.
| UPS service | Delivery day | Typical time of day |
|---|---|---|
| UPS Ground | 1–5 business days by distance | 9 a.m.–9 p.m. to homes; business hours to businesses |
| UPS 3 Day Select | Third business day | End of day |
| UPS 2nd Day Air | Second business day | End of day |
| UPS 2nd Day Air A.M. | Second business day | Morning, to most commercial addresses |
| UPS Next Day Air Saver | Next business day | End of day |
| UPS Next Day Air | Next business day | Morning, typically by 10:30 a.m. in many areas |
| UPS Next Day Air Early | Next business day | Early morning, as early as 8 a.m. in major cities |
Commit times vary by destination ZIP code. The UPS Calculate Time and Cost tool shows the exact day and time for a given route. For transit times by service and distance, see our guide to how long UPS takes to deliver.
What If UPS Doesn’t Arrive When Expected?
A missed window usually means the package will come on the next business day, not that it’s lost. What to do depends on what tracking shows:
- Still “Out for Delivery” in the evening: drivers can deliver until 9 p.m. or later in peak season. If it doesn’t come, UPS tries again the next business day.
- A delivery notice on your door: the driver tried and couldn’t complete the delivery. Our guide to the UPS InfoNotice explains how to reschedule or pick up. Our guide to how many times UPS will attempt delivery covers what happens after each try.
- An “Exception” status: something outside the normal route has delayed the package, such as weather or an address problem. Our guide to fixing a UPS delivery exception walks through the usual causes.
- “Delivered” but no package: UPS suggests checking porches, patios, garages, and neighbors. If it’s still missing, open a loss investigation within 30 days of the expected delivery date.
If you won’t be home, My Choice lets you hold the package, leave it with a neighbor, or reroute it to a UPS location. If you need a person, the UPS customer service number and hours lists the right line. Many other delivery questions are answered in our UPS frequently asked questions guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I know when UPS will arrive at my house?
Track the package on ups.com or in the UPS app to see the scheduled date. Then sign up for free UPS My Choice to get delivery alerts and an estimated time on the delivery day. Once the package is out for delivery, logged-in members may also see a live Follow My Delivery map about an hour before the delivery window.
What time does UPS stop delivering?
UPS says its drivers can deliver as late as 9 p.m., and later during the holiday season. Ground packages to homes generally arrive between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays, while businesses get deliveries during their normal hours. If a package that was out for delivery doesn’t arrive, UPS tries again the next business day.
Can I choose an exact time for my UPS delivery?
Not for UPS Ground, which UPS says can’t be scheduled for a specific time. UPS My Choice members can request a confirmed 2-hour window inside the original 4-hour estimate, for a fee. Premium members get two requests a year included. Requests open two days before the delivery date and close on its morning.
Why did my UPS delivery window change?
UPS estimates a time window from the driver’s planned route, so the window can change as the day goes on. Heavy volume, weather, or a stop that takes longer than planned can push it later. The “Out for Delivery” status and the Follow My Delivery map, when available, are the best guides to when UPS will actually arrive.
Sources
- UPS Tracking Support: delivery hours, out for delivery, Follow My Delivery map
- UPS My Choice: estimated delivery times and 2-hour windows
- UPS Help and Support Center: missed deliveries and loss investigations
- UPS Shipping Services overview
For a comparison of delivery options beyond UPS, see our roundup of the best shipping services and solutions, or browse every UPS topic on our UPS shipping hub.
Part of our UPS Tracking and Delivery guide. Related: UPS Tracking Number, UPS Tracking Statuses, UPS Tracking.
