TLDR
- Amazon is rolling out 1-hour and 3-hour delivery in hundreds and 2,000+ U.S. cities respectively
- Over 90,000 products are eligible, including groceries, medications, and electronics
- Prime members pay $9.99 for 1-hour and $4.99 for 3-hour delivery; non-members pay more
- The service uses Amazon’s existing Same-Day Delivery sites as the backbone
- Amazon is also testing 30-minute delivery via a separate “Amazon Now” program in select cities
Amazon (AMZN) stock edged up 0.99% on Tuesday after the company announced the launch of 1-hour and 3-hour delivery options across parts of the United States.
The news dropped on March 17, 2026, and comes as Amazon continues to push the boundaries of how fast it can get products to customers’ doors.
Three-hour delivery is now live in over 2,000 cities and towns across the U.S. One-hour delivery is available in hundreds of those locations.
Amazon $AMZN is rolling out one-hour and three-hour delivery in some parts of the United States 🇺🇸
The company said three-hour delivery is available in about 2,000 cities and towns in the U.S., while one-hour delivery is available in hundreds of those areas – CNBC pic.twitter.com/p4JNoLJzRN
— Evan (@StockMKTNewz) March 17, 2026
More than 90,000 products are eligible for the service. That includes pantry staples, over-the-counter medications, cleaning supplies, clothing, and toys.
Prime members will be charged $9.99 for the 1-hour option and $4.99 for 3-hour delivery. Customers without a Prime membership will pay $19.99 and $14.99 respectively.
Amazon is powering the new service through its existing Same-Day Delivery sites. It has also added dedicated search filters — “in 1 hour” and “in 3 hours” — and a new storefront page in areas where the options are available. Shoppers can also browse via Amazon’s getitfast site.
“Our customers are busier than ever and are looking for new ways to save time while keeping their households running,” said Udit Madan, Amazon’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations.
Madan added: “We’re excited to say that two decades after Prime launched, we’re still innovating to make delivery even faster, while maintaining the same everyday low prices and vast selection Amazon is known for.”
Amazon first launched free two-day delivery with Prime back in 2005. It shifted to same-day as the new standard in 2019 after pouring billions into its fulfillment network.
History of Fast Delivery Attempts
This isn’t Amazon’s first attempt at pushing speed to the extreme. The company shut down its standalone Prime Now service in 2021. In 2024, it pulled the plug on a program offering fast delivery from brick-and-mortar and mall retailers.
Some earlier programs didn’t stick — but Amazon hasn’t stopped trying.
The company is currently piloting “Amazon Now,” a 30-minute delivery service for everyday essentials and fresh groceries. That test is running in Seattle and Philadelphia, as well as international markets including the UAE, India, Brazil, and Mexico.
Amazon has also been working on drone delivery for over a decade, starting with two small test markets before expanding to several U.S. cities.
Competitive Landscape
The push comes as rivals sharpen their own delivery speeds. Walmart says it can reach 95% of American households in under three hours, leaning on its large network of physical stores.
Quick-commerce platforms like Instacart, DoorDash, and Uber Eats are also delivering from a growing list of retailers within a couple of hours.
Amazon said it started the 1-hour and 3-hour service via small-scale tests late last year and expects to expand it to more areas of the country in the coming months.
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