Read the days column first
Our Newark table shows why: the cheapest row, $10.37, quoted 6-7 business days, while UPS Ground Saver at $11.26 quoted 3. Eighty-nine cents for several days saved is the kind of trade the price column alone will hide.
Corridor pricing
Shipping to Massachusetts: what it really costs
Boston caps the Northeast corridor: from the New York area this is short-zone, fast-window shipping; from Los Angeles it is the full continent.
Live carrier pricesNo signup to buy a labelTracking included
Priced, not guessed
Real box, real routes: these carrier figures were pulled live on 2026-07-27 and dated so you can judge them.
Live prices to Boston, MA — quoted 2026-07-27
We priced one honest parcel, a 12 × 10 × 6 in box at 5 lb of household goods, to Boston on 2026-07-27, once from Newark and once from Los Angeles, using the SMKlog calculator. The results below are unedited carrier quotes, and each shows the full amount charged at checkout, label and SMKlog's charge combined.
From Newark, NJ (07102) to Boston, MA 02108
| Carrier | Service | Price | Quoted transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS | Ground Advantage | $10.37 | 6-7 business days |
| UPS | Ground Saver | $11.26 | 3 business days |
| UPS | Ground | $11.96 | 1 business day |
| USPS | Priority Mail | $14.15 | 2-3 business days |
| FedEx | Ground Economy | $14.98 | 2-3 business days |
From Los Angeles, CA (90011) to Boston, MA 02108
| Carrier | Service | Price | Quoted transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS | Ground Advantage | $17.30 | 6-7 business days |
| UPS | Ground Saver | $19.14 | 6 business days |
| UPS | Ground | $19.30 | 7-8 business days |
| UPS | 3 Day Select | $27.17 | 3-4 business days |
| USPS | Priority Mail | $28.19 | 2-3 business days |
The bottom rows on 2026-07-27 were $10.37 from Newark and $17.30 from Los Angeles, both USPS Ground Advantage. From far away, Worcester and Springfield quote like Boston. Cape Cod ZIPs can pick up an extra day in the summer crush. Quotes age quickly, so use these as context and pull today's numbers for your own route.
Volume can outweigh the scale
Carriers compare a box's actual weight with a volume-based figure and bill the larger of the two. Light, bulky shipments, pillows, lampshades, that sort of thing, get hit hardest. If you can go down a box size, do it.
Protect what is hard to replace
The carriers price the box the same whether it holds sweaters or a camera lens. When the contents are valuable, adding shipping protection at checkout gives you a payout path if the parcel is lost or arrives broken.
Shipping to Massachusetts: common questions
How much does a package to Massachusetts cost?
Using a 12 × 10 × 6 in box at 5 lb on 2026-07-27, Boston came in at $10.37 from Newark and $17.30 from Los Angeles at the cheapest. What is listed is what your card is charged, the label and SMKlog charge together. Your route and box will move it.
How many days does shipping to Massachusetts take?
Depends what you pay for. On our run, Newark options ranged from 1 business day on UPS Ground to 6-7 on the cheapest tier, while the cheapest Los Angeles row also quoted 6-7 business days. The carriers supplied every window shown.
How do I ship to Massachusetts for the least money?
On our dated run the answer was USPS Ground Advantage, $10.37 from Newark and $17.30 from Los Angeles. Cheapest is a moving target, though. Reprice on shipping day and let the live list pick the winner.
Can I get a label without registering?
Yes. There is no signup step: describe the contents, supply the ZIPs, view live prices from the three major carriers, and check out. The label and tracking number appear right after payment.