Speedee Prices 2025: Shipping Rates, Zones & Fees Guide

• 9 min read

Finding the best deal on shipping can feel like a moving target. If you’re in the Midwest, you’ve likely heard of Spee-Dee Delivery, a popular regional carrier. Understanding speedee prices is a great first step, but what exactly are they? In short, speedee prices are the rates charged by Spee-Dee Delivery for shipping packages within their regional network, determined primarily by weight, distance, and package size. The real secret to saving money, however, is knowing how those prices stack up against national carriers for every single package you send.

This guide will break down how Spee-Dee calculates its prices and give you a complete playbook for lowering your shipping costs, whether you’re shipping across the state or across the country.

What is Spee-Dee Delivery?

Spee-Dee Delivery is a regional shipping carrier that offers service primarily in the Upper Midwest, including states like Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. They also serve parts of Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, and Nebraska. They are known for reliable, next day ground delivery within much of their service area. Because they focus on a specific region, speedee prices can be very competitive for local and zone to zone shipments.

However, if your package is heading outside their network, or if it has an unusual weight or size, comparing speedee prices with rates from USPS, UPS, and FedEx becomes essential.

How Spee-Dee Prices Are Calculated

Spee-Dee’s pricing model is straightforward, but knowing the key components can help you anticipate your costs. Unlike some national carriers, they keep surcharges to a minimum, which is a significant advantage.

Core Pricing: Zones and Weight

Like most carriers, Spee-Dee uses a zone based pricing system. The distance a package travels from its origin to its destination is categorized into zones. A shipment to a nearby town might be Zone 2, while a package going across the state could be Zone 5. The higher the zone, the higher the cost. This is combined with the package’s weight to determine the standard rate.

Different Rate Types for Different Shippers

Spee-Dee offers several pricing tiers depending on how you ship:

  • Standard Rate: This is for customers with a regular pickup schedule, typically businesses that ship at least a couple of times per week.
  • On-Call Rate: If you ship sporadically (less than four times a month), you can use the on call pickup service. The rates are about 25% higher than standard rates, and there is a flat fee for the pickup itself, with options for same day or next day service.
  • Walk-in Counter Rate: For individuals or businesses without an account, Spee-Dee has 39 walk in locations. You can pay the walk in rate on the spot, which is different from the standard commercial rate.
  • LTL Rate: For large shipments like pallets, Spee-Dee offers Less Than Truckload (LTL) rates. Their LTL pricing method is based on pallet positions and distance (zones) rather than complex freight classes, which can simplify costs for bigger items.

Common Surcharges and Fees

While Spee-Dee has fewer accessorial fees than many competitors, there are a couple of key surcharges to be aware of:

  • Fuel Surcharge: This is a variable percentage added to all shipments to cover fluctuating fuel costs. It is based on the National U.S. Average On-Highway Diesel Fuel Prices and is adjusted weekly.
  • Delivery Area Surcharge (DAS): A flat fee is applied to packages going to specific ZIP codes that are more difficult or costly to serve. For LTL shipments, this surcharge is applied per pallet.

Annual Rate Announcements

Spee-Dee typically announces any rate adjustments for the upcoming year in the fourth quarter (around November). For 2025, Spee-Dee announced there would be no increase in its base rates for parcel and pallet shipments, a move that contrasts with the general rate increases announced by national carriers.

How to Always Find the Cheapest Shipping Rate

The smartest shippers don’t stick to one carrier. They compare their options every time. Here is how you can make sure you are getting the best deal, whether it involves speedee prices or another service.

1. Compare Rates from Multiple Carriers

Never assume one carrier is always the cheapest. A heavy 20 pound box going across the country is often cheapest with FedEx Ground. For specifics, see our guide to the cheapest way to ship a 20 lb box. For lightweight parcels under a pound, USPS Ground Advantage is typically the winner.

The only way to know for sure is to compare them side by side. If you’re deciding between the two most common options, read our breakdown of which is cheaper: UPS or USPS. Instead of visiting each website individually, you can use a free multi carrier shipping calculator to instantly see rates from all the major players. This simple check is the fastest way to see if regional speedee prices beat the national competition for your specific shipment.

2. Get Discounted Online Rates, Not Retail Prices

Walking up to a retail counter at The UPS Store or a post office is one of the most expensive ways to ship. Carriers offer significant commercial shipping discounts to customers who buy and print postage online.

For example, a 5 pound package with UPS Ground might cost $11.76 at a retail store but only around $10.10 if you purchase the label online. The savings are even bigger with the Postal Service. To get the most accurate comparison, you should always look at the discounted online rates for national carriers when comparing them against speedee prices.

3. Choose the Right Service Level

Matching your package to the right service is crucial for saving money.

  • For Packages Under 1 lb: Use USPS Ground Advantage. It delivers in 2 to 5 days and is almost always the most economical choice for small, light items.
  • For Heavier or Faster Shipments: USPS Priority Mail offers 1 to 3 day delivery and includes free tracking and insurance.
  • For Media: If you’re sending books or DVDs, USPS Media Mail is incredibly cheap, though it is slow.

When evaluating speedee prices, remember their core service is fast regional ground. If your package isn’t urgent, a slower service like USPS Ground Advantage might be a cheaper alternative.

4. Use Flat Rate Boxes for Heavy Items

For dense, heavy items, flat rate shipping can be a game changer. With a USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate box, you pay one price regardless of weight (up to 70 pounds). A Medium Flat Rate box costs about $17.10 to ship anywhere in the U.S.

This is particularly relevant when considering speedee prices, which are based on weight and distance. If you have a heavy item going a long way (and outside Spee-Dee’s network), a flat rate box will almost certainly be your cheapest option.

5. Weigh and Measure Your Packages Accurately

Incorrect dimensions can lead to surprise fees. Carriers use a system called dimensional weight, where they charge for the space a package takes up if it’s large but light.

Under declaring the weight or size can result in costly post delivery adjustments from carriers. Accurate measurements are key to getting an accurate quote. Notably, Spee-Dee Delivery states that it does not use dimensional weight pricing for its on-call services, which can be a significant cost advantage for large, light packages.

6. Use Shipping Software for Deeper Discounts

You don’t need to be a massive corporation to get great shipping discounts. Online shipping platforms like Shippo, ShipStation, and Easyship provide access to commercial rates that are much lower than retail. These platforms often have no monthly fee for smaller shippers and can unlock savings of 40% to 60% or more on certain shipments.

Using these tools makes it easy to compare the best available UPS or USPS rate against the latest speedee prices to make an informed decision. Finding the right tools is easy when you use an online shipping calculator that points you to the best providers.

The Bottom Line

While speedee prices offer excellent value for regional, next day shipments in the Midwest, they are one piece of a larger puzzle. Understanding their zone based rates, surcharges, and different service tiers is the first step. To truly minimize your shipping costs, you need a strategy that involves comparing all your options. By using the right tools, securing online discounts, and choosing the correct service for each package, you can ensure you’re never overpaying for shipping again.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How are Spee-Dee prices calculated?
Spee-Dee prices are calculated based on package weight, the distance (zone) it is traveling, and the type of service used (e.g., standard account, on call, or walk in). They also add a variable fuel surcharge and a delivery area surcharge for certain ZIP codes.

2. Is Spee-Dee cheaper than UPS or FedEx?
For shipments within their specific Midwestern service area, speedee prices can often be cheaper than national carriers. For shipments going outside their network, or for very heavy items that could use flat rate boxes, national carriers are often more competitive. The only way to know for sure is to compare rates.

3. What is the Spee-Dee Delivery service area?
Spee-Dee primarily serves Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, with additional service to parts of Michigan, Missouri, and Nebraska.

4. What is a fuel surcharge?
A fuel surcharge is a fee that carriers add to their base rates to cover the changing cost of fuel. Spee-Dee’s fuel surcharge is updated weekly based on a national index of diesel prices.

5. How can I get the cheapest overall shipping rates?
The best way to save is to compare rates from multiple carriers for every shipment, use online shipping software to access commercial discounts, and select the service level (e.g., ground vs. priority) that matches your needs.

6. Does Spee-Dee use dimensional weight?
Spee-Dee has stated it does not use dimensional (DIM) weight pricing for some services like On-Call, which can make it cheaper for shipping large but lightweight boxes compared to carriers that do.