Most “how to get groceries delivered” guides read like they were written years ago — the same tired list of Instacart and Walmart, nothing about how fast delivery has actually gotten in 2026. Here’s the full picture, including two things most competitors haven’t caught up on yet: 30-minute ultrafast delivery and actual drone delivery landing on driveways.
The Quick Answer
Getting groceries delivered in the US is easier — and faster — than ever. You can order through a dedicated delivery app, straight from a national retailer’s own service, or from a wholesale club, with options ranging from a 30-minute rush order to a scheduled slot later in the day.
Below is a full breakdown of your options, from the fastest to the most budget-friendly.
Dedicated Grocery Delivery Apps
These platforms partner with multiple local supermarkets, retail chains, and specialty stores to bring groceries straight to your door:
- Instacart — The largest grocery delivery service in the US. It connects you with personal shoppers who pick up items from your preferred local stores (like Kroger, Aldi, or CVS) and deliver in as little as an hour.
- DoorDash & Uber Eats — Known for restaurant delivery, but both now have full “Grocery” sections, pulling from local supermarkets and convenience stores, often in under 45 minutes.
New in 2026: Ultrafast 30-Minute Delivery
This is the part most competing articles are missing. Grocery delivery isn’t just “same-day” anymore — some retailers now deliver in 30 minutes or less, no exaggeration.
Amazon Now delivers thousands of items, from fresh groceries to everyday household essentials, in 30 minutes or less. It’s widely available in cities including Atlanta, Dallas–Fort Worth, Philadelphia, and Seattle, with rapid expansion underway across dozens of other U.S. cities such as Austin, Houston, Minneapolis, Orlando, Phoenix, Denver, and Oklahoma City.
How much does it cost? Prime members pay a discounted delivery fee of $3.99 per order, while non-Prime customers pay $13.99, with a small additional order fee applying to orders under $15.
How does it work? Amazon fulfills these ultrafast orders through a network of smaller, local fulfillment locations placed close to where customers live and work, which shortens the distance a delivery has to travel.
Even Newer: Drone Grocery Delivery
If 30-minute delivery still sounds too slow, drones are already landing on doorsteps in some markets. Walmart recently announced that shoppers in Salt Lake City will soon be able to get groceries delivered by drone, with orders arriving in about 30 minutes using a tether system that gently lowers packages directly onto a customer’s yard or driveway. The rollout isn’t a one-city experiment either — Walmart has confirmed it plans to expand the drone program to more than 270 locations within the next year.
This matters if you live in a suburban area without dense delivery-app coverage — drone delivery is specifically built to reach spots that traditional delivery drivers take longer to service.
Major National Supermarkets & Retailers
If you’d rather order directly from a retail giant instead of a third-party app:
- Walmart Grocery — Offers widespread, affordable same-day delivery nationwide. A Walmart+ subscription gets you free delivery on orders over $35.
- Amazon Fresh — Available to Prime members in select metro areas, with curated selections and integration with Whole Foods Market.
- Target — Uses its in-house service, Shipt, to deliver same-day groceries and household items straight from store shelves.
Wholesale Clubs (Bulk Delivery)
Want to stock up in bulk? You don’t always need a membership card to get it delivered:
- Costco — Offers same-day fresh grocery delivery powered by Instacart, plus 2-day delivery for non-perishables.
- Sam’s Club — Provides same-day delivery directly through their site for members, bringing bulk savings to your door.
How to Place Your First Order (Step by Step)
- Choose your platform — download an app like Instacart, or check if Amazon Now / Walmart is available in your area.
- Enter your delivery address — your ZIP code determines which stores and services (including 30-minute or drone delivery) are available near you.
- Build your cart — most services require a $35 minimum order to skip extra delivery fees.
- Choose a delivery window — pick an urgent 30-minute or “within 2 hours” slot, or schedule for later.
- Add a tip — standard practice in the US is 10%–20% of your order total for the driver or shopper.
- Track and receive — follow your order in the app, and set “leave at my door” if you want contactless delivery.
Which Option Should You Actually Pick?
- Need it in the next 30 minutes? Check if Amazon Now or drone delivery is live in your city first — this is the fastest option available in 2026.
- Ordering a full weekly shop? Instacart or your retailer’s own app (Walmart, Target/Shipt) gives you the widest store selection.
- Buying in bulk for a family? Costco or Sam’s Club delivery saves the most per item.
- On a tight budget? Walmart+ and Prime memberships both unlock free or discounted delivery once you’re ordering regularly.
Sources:
- Amazon rolls out 30-minute delivery on thousands of groceries and essentials,
- Walmart drone grocery delivery coming to Salt Lake City
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast can groceries actually be delivered now?
As fast as 30 minutes with services like Amazon Now, and Walmart’s new drone delivery targets a similar 30-minute window in select cities.
Do I need a membership to get groceries delivered?
Not always — Costco delivery through Instacart doesn’t require a membership, though most retailer-specific perks (like free delivery) are membership-based.
Is there a minimum order for grocery delivery?
Most services set a $35 minimum to avoid extra fees, though this varies by platform.
Should I tip my grocery delivery driver?
Yes — 10%–20% of the order total is standard practice in the US.