Iowa prices as pure middle distance from either coast — the two tables below land within a couple of dollars of each other, which is the plains-state signature.
Benchmark quotes to Des Moines, captured 2026-07-27. Two origins, one box, no massaging.
Des Moines is the measuring stick on this page: we quoted a 12 × 10 × 6 in box at 5 lb, household goods inside, through the SMKlog calculator from the East Coast and the West. What the carriers returned is tabled below, untouched. Prices are complete; SMKlog's charge is already counted.
| Carrier | Service | Price | Quoted transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS | Ground Saver | $13.52 | 5 business days |
| UPS | Ground | $14.05 | 3-4 business days |
| FedEx | Ground Economy | $14.31 | 6-7 business days |
| UPS | 3 Day Select | $19.94 | 3-4 business days |
| UPS | 2nd Day Air | $21.96 | 2-3 business days |
| Carrier | Service | Price | Quoted transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS | Ground Advantage | $15.91 | 6-7 business days |
| UPS | Ground Saver | $16.47 | 6 business days |
| UPS | Ground | $17.00 | 6-7 business days |
| FedEx | Ground Economy | $17.52 | 7-8 business days |
| UPS | 3 Day Select | $25.00 | 3-4 business days |
The 2026-07-27 floors: UPS Ground Saver at $13.52 from Newark, USPS Ground Advantage at $15.91 from Los Angeles. Des Moines and Cedar Rapids draw the same zone bands from distant origins, so either quotes about alike. What was true at quote time drifts as carriers refile, and only the live number for your own route is worth money.
Carriers convert volume into a billable weight and charge whichever is larger, that or the scale reading. It's why the same 5 pounds costs more in a big box than a small one. Fit the box to the item and the math stays on your side.
Type the item as you'd say it out loud; SMKlog estimates the packed box and quotes USPS, UPS and FedEx against it live. Prefer precision, enter the dimensions yourself. The comparison, the payment and the printable tracked label all follow in one sitting.
UPS 2nd Day Air quoted 2-3 business days from Newark at $21.96, against $14.05 for UPS Ground at 3-4 days. One day saved, about eight dollars spent. On some lanes the fast tier is a bargain; here the table says otherwise. Always check which case you're in.
Two dated answers from 2026-07-27: $13.52 (UPS Ground Saver, Newark origin) and $15.91 (USPS Ground Advantage, Los Angeles origin) for a 12 × 10 × 6 in, 5 lb box. Each is the whole checkout charge, SMKlog's portion included. Your own quote is a minute away and will be current.
The 2026-07-27 quotes put UPS Ground at 3-4 business days from Newark and 6-7 from Los Angeles, with 2nd Day Air at 2-3 from the East. The slowest window on the page was 7-8. Carrier-stated windows accompany every price in the tables.
UPS Ground Saver from Newark, at $13.52 with a 5-day window; the western low was USPS Ground Advantage at $15.91. Note how close the runners-up sit, though. Gaps under a dollar flip with any rate filing, so the live comparison should make your final pick.
None at any step. Guest quoting, guest payment, immediate label download, tracking already assigned.