Title 39 — Postal ServiceRelease 119-73
§5003 Establishment of post roads
Title 39 › Part PART V— - TRANSPORTATION OF MAIL › Chapter CHAPTER 50— - GENERAL › § 5003
Summary
Lists five kinds of routes that count as post roads: U.S. waters, operating railroads and air routes, canals, public roads/highways/toll roads, and letter‑carrier routes—each when used to carry mail.
Full Legal Text
Title 39, §5003
Postal Service — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The following are post roads:
(1)the waters of the United States, during the time the mail is carried thereon;
(2)railroads or parts of railroads and air routes in operation;
(3)canals, during the time the mail is carried thereon;
(4)public roads, highways, and toll roads during the time the mail is carried thereon; and
(5)letter-carrier routes established for the collection and delivery of mail.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
39 U.S.C. § 5003
Title 39 — Postal Service
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73