Post offices and banks follow federal holiday schedules, so they close on the same days nationwide — but individual branches may have different hours
Most U.S. post offices and banks close on federal holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. On those days, mail does not move and you cannot visit a branch. On regular business days, hours vary by location — a downtown branch may stay open until 6 p.m. while a suburban one closes at 5 p.m., and post offices in grocery stores have different hours than standalone locations.
The fastest way to know whether a specific branch is open right now is to search for it by name and address on Google Maps, your bank's website, or USPS.com. Google shows real-time status — "Open now" or "Closed" — and the exact hours for today. Your bank's app or website usually has a branch locator with hours listed. The post office locator at USPS.com shows hours for each location and whether it is currently open.
Key Takeaways
- Federal holidays close all post offices and most banks nationwide, but regular business days have location-specific hours you need to check individually.
- Google Maps shows real-time open/closed status and today's hours for any branch when you search by name and address.
- Your bank's website or app has a branch locator that displays hours for locations near you.
- USPS.com post office locator tells you hours and current status for any postal location.
- Some bank branches inside grocery stores or pharmacies keep different hours than standalone branches.
How to find hours for a specific bank branch
Go to your bank's website and look for "branch locator" or "find a branch." Enter your zip code or address. The results page shows hours for each location — usually listed as "Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Sunday Closed" or similar. Some banks also show whether the branch is open right now.
If you use your bank's mobile app, the branch locator is usually on the home screen or in the menu. Tap it, enter your location, and you see the same hours. Many apps also let you tap a branch to call it directly or get directions.
For branches inside grocery stores or pharmacies — Chase inside Walmart, Bank of America inside Kroger — check the store's hours first. The bank branch inside closes when the store closes, even if a standalone branch would stay open later.
How to find hours for a specific post office
Go to USPS.com and click "Find Locations" at the top of the page. Enter your address or zip code. The results show every post office near you with hours listed for each day of the week. Click on a specific location to see whether it is open right now, its full hours, and services available (some small post offices do not offer all services).
Google Maps also works: search "post office near me" and the results show hours, real-time status, and directions. This is often faster than USPS.com if you just need to know whether the nearest one is open now.
Post offices inside UPS stores, grocery stores, or pharmacies may have different hours than standalone post offices. The locator on USPS.com notes which locations are inside other businesses, and you can call to confirm hours before you go.
Federal holidays when banks and post offices close
All post offices close on these federal holidays. Most banks close on the same days, though a few may stay open on some holidays — call ahead if you are unsure. The holidays are:
- New Year's Day (January 1)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January)
- Presidents' Day (third Monday in February)
- Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
- Juneteenth (June 19)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day (first Monday in September)
- Columbus Day (second Monday in October)
- Veterans Day (November 11)
- Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, most banks and post offices observe it on Friday. When it falls on a Sunday, they observe it on Monday. Check your bank's website or call ahead if the holiday is on a weekend, because some institutions follow different rules.
What to do if you need banking or mail services on a holiday
Most banks offer ATM access 24/7, even when branches are closed. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your ATM has mobile deposit), and check your balance any time. Online banking — transfers, bill pay, account changes — works on holidays too.
For mail on a federal holiday, post offices are closed and mail does not move. If you need to mail something urgently, some UPS stores and FedEx locations are open on federal holidays and can ship packages. Check their hours on Google Maps or their websites.
If you need to deposit a check on a holiday, most banks let you use mobile deposit through their app — photograph the front and back of the check and submit it. The deposit posts the next business day.
Why hours vary between branches
Banks and post offices set hours based on foot traffic and staffing. A busy downtown location may stay open until 6 or 7 p.m. on weekdays, while a small suburban branch closes at 5 p.m. Some branches are open on Saturday; others are not. Post offices in rural areas may have shorter hours than those in cities.
Staffing shortages can also change hours temporarily. If a post office or bank branch is understaffed, it may close early or reduce hours for a few weeks. This is usually posted on the location's page on Google Maps or the bank's website, but calling ahead is the safest way to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my bank open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
No, most banks close on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (the third Monday in January). However, ATMs remain available 24/7, and you can use online banking to transfer money or pay bills. Call your bank if you need to speak to someone, as a few smaller banks may have different holiday schedules.
Can I mail a package at a post office on a federal holiday?
No, all post offices close on federal holidays and mail does not move. If you need to ship something urgently, UPS stores and FedEx locations are often open on federal holidays. Check their hours on Google Maps or their websites before you go.
What if Google Maps says a branch is open but I go and it is closed?
Google's information is usually current, but hours can change without warning due to staffing or emergencies. If you are making a special trip, call the branch directly to confirm it is open. The phone number is listed on Google Maps and the bank's website.
Do bank branches inside grocery stores have the same hours as standalone branches?
No, branches inside grocery stores, pharmacies, or Walmart close when the store closes. A standalone bank branch might be open until 6 p.m., but the one inside a grocery store closes at 9 p.m. or whenever the store closes. Check the store's hours, not just the bank's hours.
Can I deposit a check on a federal holiday?
Yes, if you use mobile deposit through your bank's app. Photograph the front and back of the check and submit it through the app. The deposit posts the next business day. ATM check deposit also works on holidays at most banks, though the deposit posts the next business day.