If you’re looking for the USPS Priority Mail® rates from North Carolina to all 50 states, the cost depends on two key factors:
- Shipping zone– determined by the distance between the origin ZIP code in North Carolina and each destination ZIP code.
- Package weight(or flat-rate option).
- How USPS Zones Work
USPS defines zones based on distance from the origin ZIP:
- Zone 1: 1–50 miles
- Zone 2: 51–150 miles
- Zone 3: 151–300 miles
- Zone 4: 301–600 miles
- Zone 5: 601–1000 miles
- Zone 6: 1001–1400 miles
- Zone 7: 1401–1800 miles
- Zone 8: over 1800 miles
- Zone 9: US territories & some military addresses EasyPost+5Pirate Ship+5USPS+5Parcel Monkey+5PostalPro+5Postage Price Calculator+5Easyship+1Postage Price Calculator
To determine the zone for each state, you’d input your 3-digit NC ZIP and each state’s ZIP into the USPS Domestic Zone Chart tool Postage Price Calculator.
- Rate Examples for a Typical 4-lb Package
Using the 2021 commercial rates as a reference (noting they may be slightly outdated), here are example prices for a 4 lb package by zone:
- Zone 1 & 2: $8.10
- Zone 3: $8.58
- Zone 4: $9.21
- Zone 5: $10.43
- Zone 6: $14.80
- Zone 7: $16.78
- Zone 8: $18.96
- Zone 9: $35.63ShipStation+4ShippingEasy+4Pirate Ship+4EasyPost
These rates are commercial; retail prices at the Post Office are often higher.
- Flat Rate Shipping — Uniform Nationwide
If you’d prefer a flat cost regardless of weight or destination:
- Flat Rate Envelope: $11.00 retail / $9.70 online
- Padded Flat Rate Envelope: $10.50 online (retail may be higher) EasyPost+3USPS+3USPS+3PostalPro+3Easyship+3ShippingEasy+3
Flat-rate boxes (up to 70 lbs) are also available and cost the same nationwide.
- Upcoming Holiday Price Increases
Starting October 5, 2025, USPS will implement temporary rate increases for Priority Mail and Ground Advantage, lasting through January 18, 2026. Price hikes range from $0.40 to $16, depending on zone and weight Postage Price Calculator+15USPS+15USPS+15the-sun.com+1. So keep in mind that current rates may soon be outdated.
- Summary Table (Example: 4-lb Package, Commercial Rate)
| Zone | Distance From NC | Estimated Cost (4 lb) |
| 1–2 | Nearby states (e.g., VA, SC) | ~$8.10 |
| 3 | Mid Atlantic / Southeast | ~$8.58 |
| 4 | Further south/north | ~$9.21 |
| 5 | Midwest / parts of FL, IL | ~$10.43 |
| 6 | West Coast / further away | ~$14.80 |
| 7 | Pacific Northwest / Hawaii regions | ~$16.78 |
| 8 | Overseas zones | ~$18.96 |
| 9 | Territories (e.g., Puerto Rico) | ~$35.63 |
Your Next Steps
To get precise current rates for sending to all 50 states, I recommend:
- Use the USPS Retail or Business Rate Calculator:
- Visit [USPS Retail Postage Calculator] or [Business Calculator] to input origin ZIP, weight, and destination ZIP for each state USPS+3ShippingEasy+3Parcel Monkey+3Postage Price Calculator.
- Use online shipping toolslike Pirate Ship or ShippingEasy to get live quotes (often with discounts) Pirate Ship.
- Consider flat-rate optionsif your packages fit within those limits—they’re consistent and hassle-free.
TL;DR
- Rates vary by zone and weight; for a 4-oz package, you might pay anywhere from ~$8 to ~$35 (depending on zone).
- Flat-rate envelopes offer a simple, fixed cost regardless of location.
- Holiday surcharges begin October 5, 2025—be aware of temporary increases.
Let me know your package weight and average dimensions, and I can help you estimate region-specific costs or compare flat-rate vs. zoned pricing!
You said:
What is the flat rate for all 50 states
ChatGPT said:
If your goal is to ship via USPS Priority Mail at a flat rate to any of the 50 states (including territories), you’re in luck—USPS offers identical pricing nationwide, regardless of the destination’s distance or the originating point (like North Carolina).
Here are the current retail (Post Office) prices for domestic Priority Mail Flat Rate packaging:
- Flat Rate Envelope(12½″ × 9½″): $11.00
- Legal Flat Rate Envelope(15″ × 9½″): $11.20
- Padded Flat Rate Envelope: $11.95
- Small Flat Rate Box: $11.70
- Medium Flat Rate Box: $21.05
- Large Flat Rate Box: $29.95
- APO/FPO/DPO Large Flat Rate Box: $28.70
ShipStation+14USPS+14USPS+14USPS Store+10Postal Explorer+10ShipStation+10Pitney Bowes
These rates apply uniformly across all 50 states and U.S. territories (as long as flat rate packaging is used).
Holiday Season Temporary Surcharge Coming Soon
Be aware that USPS has approved temporary price increases for the 2025 holiday season (effective October 5, 2025 through January 18, 2026):
- Large Flat Rate Boxes: additional $1.45
- All other Flat Rate products(envelopes and smaller boxes): additional $0.90
USPS
Adjusted retail holiday rates will be:
| Packaging Type | Current Price | Holiday Surcharge | Holiday Price |
| Flat Rate Envelope | $11.00 | +$0.90 | $11.90 |
| Legal Flat Rate Envelope | $11.20 | +$0.90 | $12.10 |
| Padded Flat Rate Envelope | $11.95 | +$0.90 | $12.85 |
| Small Flat Rate Box | $11.70 | +$0.90 | $12.60 |
| Medium Flat Rate Box | $21.05 | +$0.90 | $21.95 |
| Large Flat Rate Box | $29.95 | +$1.45 | $31.40 |
| APO/FPO/DPO Large Box | $28.70 | +$1.45 | $30.15 |
These holiday-adjusted rates also apply uniformly nationwide. USPS Store+15USPS+15USPS+15Wikipedia+10Stamps.com+10ShipStation+10USPS Store+4Western Oregon University+4USPS+4Easyship+5ShipStation+5Pitney Bowes+5
Summary
- Same flat rate applies to all 50 states, no matter where you’re shipping from in the U.S.
- Expect a $0.90–$1.45 surchargeduring the Oct 5, 2025 – Jan 18, 2026 holiday window, depending on package size.
Let me know if you’d like a breakdown of commercial (online or business) rates, or help determining whether flat-rate or weight-based shipping is more cost-effective for your specific packages!