People in warmer areas like Texas, Arizona, and Louisiana ask us regularly when to order live lobsters because of the heat, and which days are best to schedule them. The reason is that it is always best to cook live lobsters on the day they arrive. While they will most likely survive an extra day if stored properly, you should never cook and eat a lobster that has died. When it dies the body begins to break down, diminishing texture and flavor, and the lobster becomes a perfect environment for dangerous bacteria to grow.
The same question comes up around the holidays as deliveries can get delayed, including in colder areas like the Midwest and Northeast. Good news, it is the same answer regardless if you live in the Pacific Northwest, the Deep South, or here in New England.
The most important thing is to be home when the delivery arrives, since you’ll want to get the live lobsters into your fridge (ideally in the crisper drawer or the lowest part of the fridge). Here’s our guide to storing live lobsters, including tips like never using sealed containers or fresh water, as this can kill the lobster.
The Best Days and Hours to Schedule Live Lobster Delivery
Days of the Week
| Day of the week | |
| Sunday | UPS and FedEx are closed on Sunday, so delivery is not available. |
| Monday | Same as above. Since the shipping companies are not running on Sunday, there is no Monday delivery. |
| Tuesday | Perfect for delivery if cooking Tuesday or Wednesday. |
| Wednesday | Perfect for delivery if cooking Wednesday or Thursday. |
| Thursday | Perfect for delivery if cooking Thursday or Friday. |
| Friday | Not ideal, as delays or missed deliveries could wind up with the lobsters in a warehouse over the weekend where they may die. |
| Saturday | Not ideal for delivery unless there is next day guaranteed, and you will be home to accept it. |
Monday to Thursday are always the best days for live lobster delivery. If you are not home on Friday or the delivery is delayed, there may be no Saturday delivery. If this happens your lobsters will be stuck in a distribution center until Monday, and they may die. If you plan to serve lobster on Sunday or Monday, options like par-cooking or par-boiling can help preserve them safely.
If you’re ordering for Saturday delivery, leave a note for the driver to ring your doorbell. If they have to leave it because you’re not home, have an instruction to leave it somewhere in the shade and out of the sun.
Saturday and Sunday delivery are never recommended, as most major shipping companies reduce staff on the weekends. This is because businesses are closed and there is less need for more people. With fewer drivers, late or delayed deliveries are more likely, making weekend delivery a risky choice for live lobsters.
Hours
Try to schedule your delivery overnight and before noon when possible. This gets the package to your home fastest and gives you the best chance to unpack the live lobsters and get them into your fridge.
If before noon isn’t available where you live, especially in rural areas, always choose overnight or next day. The less time the lobster is out of the water and the heat, the better. If the company you order from is reputable, they’ll already know how to get the lobsters to your door and will use gel packs instead of dry ice to keep them cool, so don’t stress over next day.
Pro tip: If you’re likely to miss the delivery window, waive the signature requirement so the driver can deliver the package and it doesn’t get stuck in the distribution center overnight.
How Many Days in Advance for Delivery
Your live lobsters will only last about 48 hours in your fridge, so schedule delivery for the day before you plan to cook them. This includes the busy seasons like December holidays, summer lobster boils, and Valentine’s.
We hope this helps you plan your next lobster dinner, and if you haven’t already, click here to order fresh live lobster shipped directly to your home.