Denver is the logistics anchor of the Mountain West, and shipping there prices like the midpoint it is — neither coast wins by much, and the ground tiers bunch tightly.
Denver lane, one defined box, carrier quotes captured live on 2026-07-27 and printed without adjustment.
To put real numbers on this page we quoted a 12 × 10 × 6 in box at 5 lb, packed with household goods, through the SMKlog calculator to Denver from each coast. Nothing in the tables was edited afterward. The price shown is the entire amount collected at checkout, including SMKlog's charge.
| Carrier | Service | Price | Quoted transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS | Ground Advantage | $15.91 | 6-7 business days |
| UPS | Ground Saver | $16.47 | 5 business days |
| UPS | Ground | $17.00 | 3-4 business days |
| FedEx | Ground Economy | $17.52 | 6-7 business days |
| UPS | 3 Day Select | $25.00 | 3-4 business days |
| Carrier | Service | Price | Quoted transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS | Ground Advantage | $13.29 | 4-5 business days |
| UPS | Ground Saver | $13.52 | 5 business days |
| UPS | Ground | $14.05 | 3-4 business days |
| FedEx | Ground Economy | $14.31 | 3-4 business days |
| UPS | 3 Day Select | $19.94 | 3-4 business days |
Denver favored the western origin on 2026-07-27: USPS Ground Advantage quoted $13.29 from Los Angeles against $15.91 from Newark. Mountain-town ZIPs west of the Front Range can trail Denver by a day on the identical service, and the window attached to your quote reflects the ZIP you type. These figures were true on quote day; carriers reprice too often for any table to stay true, so check the lane fresh.
Los Angeles sits fewer rate zones from Denver than Newark does, and the gap of a couple of dollars between the two Ground Advantage rows is that difference made visible. Zone position is set by the ZIP pair; it's the one pricing input you can't pack your way out of.
Carriers don't judge cosmetics. If the old barcodes are covered, the flaps close square and the cardboard isn't crushed, a reused box rides the same trucks at the same price. Just don't upsize; billing follows volume once a box gets big for its weight.
From the Newark side, UPS Ground quoted 3-4 business days at $17.00 while the cheaper USPS row quoted 6-7. For just over a dollar, the wait roughly halves. Deals like that hide in the transit column on many lanes, which is why it deserves as much attention as the price.
Working from our 2026-07-27 quotes for a 12 × 10 × 6 in, 5 lb box: $15.91 from Newark or $13.29 from Los Angeles, both USPS Ground Advantage, both final at checkout with SMKlog's charge inside. Budget from a live quote though; your box and ZIPs set the real figure.
Our quotes ranged from 3-4 business days (UPS Ground and 3 Day Select, plus FedEx from the West) out to 6-7 on the slower ground tiers. Each row above lists the window its carrier attached on 2026-07-27 for this exact ZIP pair.
On the Los Angeles leg: $13.29 with USPS Ground Advantage, versus $15.91 for the same service from Newark on 2026-07-27. Cheapest is a moving target, decided by box, route and the week's rate filings, so re-check live when you actually ship.
Completely. Quote the box, choose a live rate, pay and print, all as a guest. Tracking numbers come standard.