Postal Service's money-saving plan could slow delivery by a day; see how your Zip code would be affected

Where mail delivery would slow the most (Washington Post map; click the image to enlarge it or click here for the interactive version, which allows you to enter any Zip code and see the effect of the plan)

Many Americans might have to wait longer for their mail if the U.S. Postal Service's strategic restructuring plan is approved, according to an analysis by The Washington Post.

"The new delivery regimen, for which the agency seeks regulatory approval, disproportionately affects states west of the Rocky Mountains and the country’s mainland extremities, including large swaths of southern Texas and Florida," Jacob Bogage and Kevin Schaul report for the Post. "The new plan eliminates most air service and adds four- and five-day standards, increasing the time it takes the average letter to get delivered to some parts of the country by a day."

Officials in both parties said they worry about how the new standards would slow mail delivery to rural communities, though a USPS analyst said in written testimony to the Postal Regulatory Commission that the changes would affect urban areas and rural areas about equally; the Post’s analysis found the same thing. Still, some lawmakers say they're concerned because rural residents tend to rely more on mail service.

"I’m telling you that the mail, in my opinion, in my state has not gone by where the Pony Express is. It is really important," Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., told the Post. "So what are you trying to do here? I mean, you’re trying to just eliminate rural America, is that what the goal is? Because where I come from . . .  people still depend upon the mail."

The Post has an interactive feature where you can plug in your Zip code and see how the slowdown will affect your area.