It's 9 PM, you just realized the fridge is empty, and you're wondering if Instacart can save the day. 

Before you start loading up your virtual cart, let's clear up the biggest question: Instacart doesn't have a fixed "closing time" - it's available 24/7 if stores in your area are open or if you have access to their 24/7 partners.

I've spent hours researching how late you can place Instacart orders, what affects delivery times, and some insider tips that'll help you make the most of those late-night grocery emergencies.

How Instacart's Hours Work (No Set Closing Time)

Instacart operates 24/7, 365 days a year. 

You can open the app anytime and place an order - there's no app shutdown at any hour. 

What limits your ordering window isn't Instacart itself, but the stores that are open during your delivery window.

According to Instacart's help center, "Delivery windows start as early as 9am and run as late as midnight. Check local store hours. Delivery hours are subject to store operating hours, including holidays."

In 2021, Instacart expanded to partner with several 24-hour retailers including 7-Eleven, Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, and some Safeway locations. 

If you live near one of these stores, you truly can order at 2 AM. If not, you're bound by the closing times of your local grocers.

Typical Last Delivery Times by Store

• Large Supermarkets (Kroger, Publix, Safeway): Often accept orders until around 9 or 10 PM for delivery by 10 or 11 PM. Wegmans offers delivery until 10 PM, according to their FAQ.

• Walmart via Instacart: Since most Walmart stores close by 10 PM, expect similar cutoff times around 9 PM.

• Costco/Sam's Club: These typically close earlier (7-8 PM), so Instacart orders likely stop by late afternoon or early evening for same-day delivery.

• 24-hour Convenience Stores: You can order anytime. Instacart's late-night delivery pages mention a "9 PM to 6 AM" window in some areas - essentially overnight service.
  Pharmacies (CVS/Walgreens): Many close by 9 or 10 PM, though some 24-hour locations exist. Instacart can deliver from 24-hour locations all night.

• Local specialty stores: If they close at 7 PM, Instacart orders likely stop by 6-7 PM.

Most Instacart orders happen before midnight, but if you have a 24/7 store nearby, your options expand considerably!

Same-Day Delivery Cutoffs vs. Scheduling Ahead

If it's late and no more same-day slots are available, Instacart will automatically offer next-day delivery times. 

There isn't a single universal "cutoff" hour; it's rolling based on slot availability.

When "No Delivery Times" Appear

If you see "no delivery times available today," it could be because:

1. All shoppers are booked up (high demand) - This happens often on holidays or Sunday nights. Sunday is typically the busiest day of the week, with peak order times between 3 PM and 7 PM.

2. Stores have closed - If you try ordering at 11 PM but all stores in your area closed at 10, the app will show the earliest next-day slot.

The good news is that you can schedule for later. 

Instacart's "Order Ahead" feature lets you schedule orders days in advance. 

So if you miss tonight's window, you can set tomorrow's delivery for first thing in the morning.

Priority Delivery vs Standard

Instacart offers different delivery speeds. Priority delivery (as fast as 30-60 minutes) costs more than Standard delivery (2-hour windows). 

If it's late and you see a priority option within an hour, that means a shopper can still make it to the store before closing. 

If not, you'll only see tomorrow's slots.

Pro tip: If you absolutely need something same-night and it's just past the last slot, consider checking the convenience stores or Instacart's "Convenience" category if available. 

Some grocery chains have mini fulfillment centers that can deliver later than their stores are open to customers - like Schnucks, which delivers until midnight via Instacart even though their stores close at 10 PM.

How Late Does Instacart Deliver in Different Scenarios?

Big Cities vs. Small Towns

Location matters - a lot. In NYC or LA, you might get a 1 AM Instacart delivery from a 24-hour store. 

In a small town where everything closes by 9 PM, you're out of luck for same-day service after that time.

You can always check which stores near you are open late by browsing the Instacart app, which displays store hours on each store page or shows "closed" if outside operating hours.

Grocery Delivery vs. Curbside Pickup

Pickup orders usually have an earlier cutoff than delivery. 

Many stores offer their last pickup slots around 8-9 PM, even if they're open later. 

There's a good reason for this: store staff need adequate time to prepare your order before closing.

According to the Instacart Help Center, "the latest pickup window may end before store closing." So if a store closes at 9 PM, your last pickup opportunity might be 8:30 or 8:45 PM.

Important caveat here: If you place a pickup order but don't arrive until after closing, Instacart's policy states you must pick up by the end of your selected window or risk cancellation with no refund. 

Always arrive on time for late pickups - the store won't stay open just for you.

The 24/7 Convenience Hub

Instacart made a smart move by creating a dedicated "Convenience" hub for late-night orders. 

To find it, open the Instacart app and look for the "Convenience" category or stores labeled as open 24/7. 

These partners typically offer essentials, snacks, and smaller orders rather than full grocery lists at 3 AM.

Need ice cream at midnight? Check if 7-Eleven is available through Instacart in your area!

Late-Night Instacart: Tips and What to Expect

Tips for Successful Late Orders

• Order at least 30-60 minutes before store closing. Don't push it to the last second. If a store closes at 10 PM, placing your order at 9:50 PM is risky. According to shopper feedback on Reddit, "IC is constantly sending orders out to be claimed at 10:50... no orders should be allowed at least 20 minutes before closing."
  Choose smaller orders at night. Instacart notes that late-night batches tend to be "smaller, convenience-type orders." A huge 50-item order at 11 PM might not get picked because it's difficult to finish before the store closes.

• Have flexibility. If you schedule overnight delivery (from 24/7 stores), understand it might arrive at 2 AM - make sure you're awake or leave instructions for a safe drop-off.

• Watch delivery windows during high-demand times. When you're trying to place an Instacart order during peak hours, available time slots can disappear quickly.

What If No One Accepts My Late Order?

If it's very late and few shoppers are out, your order could "roll over" to the next morning, or Instacart might cancel and refund it. 

Instacart's system tries to find an available shopper; if none are available, they'll notify you or reschedule.

If your order is time-sensitive, keep an eye on the app's status and be prepared for a possible delay. 

When experiencing Instacart delivery delays, remember that late-night hours have fewer shoppers available.

Safety & Courtesy Considerations

If you're ordering very late, remember a real person is delivering to your home at midnight - turn on your porch light, ensure your address is visible, and consider adding delivery instructions that make their job easier in the dark.

Frequently Asked Questions about Instacart Order Times

What is the latest Instacart will deliver?

It depends on store hours. Generally, around midnight for many areas, but can be 2-3 AM if you have a 24-hour store available. 

If any store near you is open, Instacart can deliver. For most users, midnight is effectively the latest delivery time they'll see.

Does Instacart take orders 24/7?

Yes, you can place an order 24/7. Instacart launched 24/7 ordering with select stores in 2021. 

But if it's 4 AM and no stores are open in your area, your order will be scheduled for the earliest slot when stores open (typically around 9 AM).

Will Instacart deliver after store closing time?

No. Instacart shoppers cannot checkout after a store has closed. All shopping must be completed during store hours. 

If a store closes at 10 PM and your order can't be finished in time, it will be canceled or rescheduled.

There are exceptions - like some stores that use fulfillment centers to extend delivery hours beyond store closing times - but that's uncommon.

How late can I schedule a pickup order?

Usually until early evening (about 1-2 hours before store closing). Most stores cut off pickup earlier than delivery. 

For instance, if a store closes at 10 PM, the last pickup might be at 8 or 9 PM. 

Always check the available slots in the app - it won't let you select a time that's not offered.

Are there Instacart shoppers at midnight?

Yes, but fewer. Late at night, only a small pool of shoppers might be active. 

Instacart encourages 24/7 earning opportunities, so some shoppers do work overnight, especially in larger cities. 

But at 3 AM, wait times might be longer to find an available shopper.

What time do Instacart batches start in the morning?

Usually around store opening times. 

Some shoppers report seeing first batches at 5:50 AM for stores that open at 6 AM, but more commonly around 9 AM when many grocery stores begin their day. 

For customers, this means early morning deliveries can often be scheduled for 9-10 AM at the earliest, unless you're ordering from 24/7 stores.

Instacart vs. Other Delivery Options for Late-Night Needs

If you find yourself needing groceries late at night, it might be worth comparing Instacart to Amazon Fresh or even checking DoorDash vs Instacart for groceries. 

While Instacart pioneered 24/7 grocery delivery with certain partners, other platforms might have different store relationships in your area.

Some users report that restaurant delivery apps like DoorDash have expanded into convenience store deliveries, potentially giving you more late-night options depending on your location.

Shop Whenever You Need, Within Limits

Instacart doesn't "close," but stores do. 

In practice, you can often get groceries delivered until late evening, and in some areas, through the night with their 24/7 partners.

My best advice? 

Check the app to see the next available delivery time - it will clearly show if delivery is possible tonight or if you'll need to wait until tomorrow.

Whether it's a late-night snack attack or an early-morning breakfast emergency, Instacart likely has you covered through one of their partner stores. 

Just plan a bit ahead when possible, and you'll have a much smoother experience.

Ready to place your Instacart order? Open the app now and see what's available in your area - you might be surprised at how late you can still get your groceries delivered tonight!