Amazon’s delivery network reached its fastest speeds ever in 2025, marking the third consecutive year of improvements in delivery speed.
In the U.S., Prime members received more than 8 billion items on the same or the next day, a more than 30% increase over 2024, with groceries and everyday essentials making up half of the total items. Same-day delivery specifically — which is available free for Prime members who spend $25 or more — saw a 70% year-over-year increase in the number of items delivered in 2025.
Amazon’s ability to offer more same- and next-day deliveries than ever before is the result of years of investment in its infrastructure, including the regionalization of its U.S. delivery network. Last year, Amazon zeroed in specifically on improving and expanding delivery to rural areas and of perishable items, two improvements that were key to driving the 2025 increase.
Late last year also marked the debut of the Amazon Now ultra-fast delivery option in the U.S. and UK, with a pilot currently underway that offers thousands of household essentials and grocery items available for delivery in 30 minutes or less.
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With all this now becoming the norm, it’s worth remembering where it all started: Prime first launched in 2005, with free two-day delivery on a selection of 1 million items, primarily DVDs, CDs, and books. Flash forward to today and not only is two-day delivery now seen as slow, but the number of items available for free delivery has increased to 300 million across 35 categories.
“One of the big reasons customers join Prime is to save time and money, and our record-breaking delivery speeds are helping members save more of both,” said Doug Herrington, CEO of Worldwide Amazon Stores in a statement. “By expanding our fast, free delivery options to rural communities and adding fresh groceries and prescription medications to our offering, we’re proving that members don’t have to choose between speed, selection and savings — Prime membership delivers all three.”
