The best time of day to drop off returns (shortest lines)

Standing in long lines at UPS or FedEx is frustrating. Choosing the right time to drop off returns can save you significant time. This guide reveals the best times to drop off returns for the shortest wait times and fastest service.

Understanding Peak Times

Why Lines Form

Peak times happen because:

• Everyone goes at same times
• Lunch hours (11 AM - 1 PM)
• After work (4 PM - 6 PM)
• Saturdays
• First of the month

Result: Predictable rushes that create long lines.

Best Times for Shortest Lines

Early Morning (9-10 AM)

Why it's best:

• Fewest customers
• Fresh staff
• Shortest lines
• Fastest service
• Best parking

Wait time: Typically 5-10 minutes

Best for:

• Quick drop-offs
• People with flexible schedules
• Morning people
• Avoiding crowds

Mid-Afternoon (2-3 PM)

Why it's good:

• Post-lunch lull
• Fewer customers
• Reasonable wait times
• Good service
• Less crowded

Wait time: Typically 10-15 minutes

Best for:

• Afternoon availability
• Moderate wait acceptable
• Steady service

Late Afternoon (Before 4 PM)

Why it works:

• Before rush starts
• Moderate traffic
• Reasonable waits
• Good option
• Better than rush

Wait time: Typically 10-20 minutes

Best for:

• If you can go before 4 PM
• Avoiding rush
• Moderate timing

Worst Times to Avoid

Lunch Rush (11 AM - 1 PM)

Why it's worst:

• Everyone on lunch break
• Highest traffic
• Longest lines
• Slowest service
• Most crowded

Wait time: Typically 25-40 minutes

Avoid if possible: Longest typical waits.

After Work Rush (4-6 PM)

Why it's bad:

• Everyone after work
• High traffic
• Long lines
• Slow service
• Crowded

Wait time: Typically 20-35 minutes

Avoid if possible: Second worst time.

Saturday Mornings

Why it's busy:

• Weekend errands
• Everyone's free time
• High traffic
• Long lines
• Very crowded

Wait time: Typically 25-40 minutes

Avoid if possible: Often worst time of week.

First of the Month

Why it's busy:

• Billing cycles
• More shipping
• Higher volume
• Longer waits
• More traffic

Wait time: Typically 20-30 minutes

Avoid if possible: More crowded than usual.

Day-by-Day Guide

Monday

Best times: 9-10 AM, 2-3 PM Avoid: 11 AM-1 PM, 4-6 PM Overall: Moderate day, early morning best

Tuesday

Best times: 9-10 AM, 2-3 PM Avoid: 11 AM-1 PM, 4-6 PM Overall: Good day, often less crowded than Monday

Wednesday

Best times: 9-10 AM, 2-3 PM Avoid: 11 AM-1 PM, 4-6 PM Overall: Midweek, moderate traffic

Thursday

Best times: 9-10 AM, 2-3 PM Avoid: 11 AM-1 PM, 4-6 PM Overall: Moderate day, similar to Wednesday

Friday

Best times: 9-10 AM (before noon) Avoid: Afternoon, 4-6 PM (especially bad) Overall: Afternoon can be busy, morning best

Saturday

Best times: Early morning (if open), late afternoon Avoid: Morning, mid-day Overall: Usually busiest day, avoid if possible

Sunday

Availability: Many locations closed If open: Usually less crowded Check: Location hours first

Location-Specific Tips

UPS Store

Best times:

• 9-10 AM (best)
• 2-3 PM (good)
• Early morning (excellent)

Avoid:

• Lunch hours
• After work
• Saturday mornings

FedEx Office

Best times:

• 9-10 AM (best)
• 2-3 PM (good)
• Early morning (excellent)

Avoid:

• Lunch hours
• After work
• Saturday mornings

Post Office

Best times:

• Right at opening (9 AM)
• Mid-afternoon
• Early morning

Avoid:

• Lunch hours
• After work
• First of month
• Saturday mornings

Retail Stores (Kohl's, etc.)

Best times:

• Opening hours
• Mid-afternoon
• Weekday mornings

Avoid:

• Evenings
• Weekends
• Peak shopping times

Seasonal Considerations

Holiday Season (November-January)

Reality:

• All times busier
• Longer waits everywhere
• Peak season
• Plan extra time
• Consider pickup services

Best still: Early morning, but expect longer waits.

Normal Periods

Reality:

• Standard patterns apply
• Best times work well
• Predictable patterns
• Manageable waits

Best: Follow normal best times.

Tips for Fastest Service

Go Early

Best practice:

• Early morning (9-10 AM)
• Shortest lines
• Fastest service
• Best experience

Result: Significant time savings.

Avoid Peak Times

Best practice:

• Avoid lunch hours
• Avoid after work
• Avoid Saturday mornings
• Plan around peaks

Result: Shorter waits, better experience.

Use Alternative Locations

Options:

• UPS Access Points (often faster)
• Drop boxes (instant, no line)
• Less busy locations
• Alternative options

Result: Faster service, less waiting.

Have Everything Ready

Best practice:

• Package ready
• Label attached
• Payment ready
• Be efficient

Result: Faster when it's your turn.

Quick Reference Guide

Best Times (Shortest Lines)

• 9-10 AM: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Best)
• 2-3 PM: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Good)
• Before 4 PM: ⭐⭐⭐ (Good)

Moderate Times

• 10-11 AM: ⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate)
• 3-4 PM: ⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate)

Avoid (Longest Lines)

• 11 AM-1 PM: ⭐ (Avoid)
• 4-6 PM: ⭐⭐ (Avoid)
• Saturday mornings: ⭐ (Avoid)

The Bottom Line

The best time to drop off returns is early morning (9-10 AM) when lines are shortest and service is fastest. Mid-afternoon (2-3 PM) is also good. Avoid lunch hours (11 AM-1 PM), after work (4-6 PM), and Saturday mornings when lines are longest.

Planning your return drop-offs around these optimal times can save you 20-30 minutes per return. If you have flexibility in your schedule, use it to your advantage and go during off-peak times.

Remember: A little planning goes a long way. Even going 30 minutes earlier or later can make a huge difference in wait times.

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