Postal Service Looks to End Overnight Mail Delivery

An Ohio letter carrier heads out from his branch post office with his cart full of mail to be delivered in Akron on July 16, 2010. (AP)

Get ready to wait longer for letters.

The Postal Service on Monday plans to formally propose eliminating "overnight standards" for first-class mail, as it makes sweeping changes in a bid to avoid insolvency.

Sue Brennan, Postal Service spokeswoman, confirmed to Fox News that the service is moving forward with the overnight standard change. If approved, it means first-class mail would generally take more than a day to reach its destination.

"For example, D.C. mail to Northern Virginia could take an additional day," she said.

First-class mail currently is guaranteed to arrive within a one-to-three day window.

Brennan explained that the Postal Service needs to overhaul service standards as it closes hundreds of processing facilities. The office announced in September it would look at closing 252 more facilities, aimed at saving up to $3 billion -- after closing nearly 190 over the past five years.

It's looking at losing up to 35,000 positions as well, and ending Saturday delivery.

First-class mail volume has dropped precipitously in recent years, contributing to the Postal Service's financial woes. According to the office, total mail volume over the past five years dropped by more than 43 billion pieces.

The latest proposal will come before the Postal Regulatory Commission.