Which U.S. States Have the Most Lost or Stolen Packages in 2026?

Which U.S. states experience the most lost or stolen packages? A new ranking from AutoDS attempts to answer that question by analyzing online searches related to missing deliveries. The study places Alaska, Hawaii, and Vermont at the top of the list—not because they necessarily experience more theft, but because residents in those states search more frequently for missing shipments. The findings highlight the unique logistical challenges these regions face.

The report examined more than 150 search terms associated with lost packages, missing mail, undelivered shipments, and porch piracy. Based on those searches, AutoDS created a ranking of the states where concern over missing deliveries is highest.

It’s important to note that the study does not measure actual package thefts or confirmed losses. Instead, it tracks online search volume per 100,000 residents, providing insight into where consumers are most likely to look for information after a package goes missing or fails to arrive.

The Top Five States

According to AutoDS, these were the states with the highest number of searches related to lost or stolen packages in July 2026:

1. Alaska: 98.17 searches per 100,000 residents
2. Hawaii: 95.69
3. Vermont: 83.53
4. North Dakota: 82.38
5. Wyoming: 72.48

Rather than being dominated by major population centers such as California, Texas, or Florida, the ranking is led by states with relatively small populations and geographic conditions that make deliveries more challenging.

Why Alaska, Hawaii, and Vermont Rank So High

From a transportation and logistics perspective, the results are about much more than package theft.

Alaska: Vast Distances and Extreme Weather

Alaska has one of the most complex logistics networks in the United States. Many communities can only be reached by aircraft or boat, while others require hundreds of miles of overland transportation.

Extreme cold, winter storms, and the isolation of many towns force carriers to combine multiple transportation methods before completing a delivery. Every transfer adds another opportunity for delays or operational issues.

Hawaii: An Island Supply Chain

Nearly every shipment arriving in Hawaii must first travel by ship or airplane before entering the state’s ground delivery network.

Because of its island geography, transit times tend to be longer and distribution depends heavily on coordination between multiple transportation providers. Any disruption during ocean or air transport can affect the entire delivery process.

Vermont: The Challenge of the Last Mile

While Vermont isn’t as geographically isolated as Alaska or Hawaii, it faces its own logistical hurdles.

Much of the state’s population lives in rural communities connected by long stretches of secondary roads. During winter, snow and ice can significantly impact delivery schedules and force route changes.

For carriers, the last mile—the final step in delivering a package to the customer—is often the most expensive and difficult part of the operation.

North Dakota and Wyoming Also Make the List

The remaining two states share many of the same characteristics.

North Dakota features long distances between cities, harsh winter weather, and infrastructure that must serve vast areas with relatively few residents.

If you’ve watched the hit TV series Yellowstone, you probably remember the infamous “Train Station,” where things have a way of disappearing. Fortunately, Wyoming’s appearance in this ranking has nothing to do with fiction—but the comparison is hard to resist. Instead of missing people, it’s a state where consumers show unusually high concern about missing packages.

A Delayed Package Isn’t Always a Lost Package

One of the biggest misconceptions is assuming that every delayed shipment has been stolen.

In reality, deliveries can be delayed by severe weather, highway closures, traffic accidents, sorting facility backups, route adjustments, or last-mile challenges.

When a package is marked as delivered but cannot immediately be found, many consumers turn to search engines or file delivery claims. Those online searches are exactly what studies like AutoDS measure.

For that reason, experts recommend viewing the ranking as an indicator of consumer concern, not as an official map of package theft across the United States.

USPS Generates the Most Searches

The report also examined which shipping companies generate the highest number of online searches related to missing deliveries.

According to AutoDS, the United States Postal Service (USPS) recorded the largest search volume, averaging 37.83 searches per 100,000 residents.

UPS and FedEx ranked considerably lower, while Amazon showed stronger search activity in certain regions of the country.

As with the state rankings, these figures do not reflect actual loss rates or service quality. They simply measure how often users search online for missing packages associated with each carrier.

How to Reduce Delivery Problems

Consumers and businesses can take several steps to reduce the risk of delivery issues.

Enabling real-time tracking notifications allows recipients to monitor a shipment’s progress and know exactly when it arrives. For valuable packages, requiring a signature upon delivery remains one of the most effective ways to prevent disputes.

When available, secure package lockers or designated pickup locations also reduce the risk of parcels sitting unattended outside a home.

For transportation companies, investing in GPS tracking, digital Proof of Delivery (POD) systems, delivery photos, and proactive customer communication improves shipment visibility and reduces claims.

Beyond the AutoDS rankings, the study reinforces a key lesson for the logistics industry: geography, weather, long distances, and last-mile challenges remain some of the biggest factors influencing delivery performance. Understanding these variables allows carriers to plan more effectively and provide better service in an increasingly fast-paced e-commerce market.