Walmart just took a big leap forward with its drone delivery service, announcing that it’s now expanding to five new cities across the U.S. So, if you’ve ever dreamed of having your groceries, gadgets, or last-minute household needs dropped right at your doorstep from the sky — that dream is becoming more real for more Americans. The retail giant is rolling out this futuristic delivery method in Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando, and Tampa.
These five cities join the existing drone delivery areas of Dallas, Texas, and Bentonville, Arkansas — Walmart’s hometown. That brings the total number of locations where Walmart offers aerial delivery to seven, making it the largest drone delivery footprint of any U.S. retailer.
How does Walmart drone delivery work?
You might be wondering: How exactly does Walmart deliver by drone? Here’s how it works. Walmart partners with drone service providers like DroneUp to handle the aerial logistics. The drones are launched from dedicated hubs located near Walmart stores, and they can carry packages weighing up to 10 pounds. That covers most of your typical online orders, including snacks, over-the-counter meds, and small household essentials.
Once you place your order through the Walmart app or website, a trained drone operator loads your items into the drone. The drone then flies to your address and gently lowers the package into your yard or driveway using a cable. No landing required!
And the best part? You don’t have to wait all day. In many cases, your delivery arrives within 30 minutes or less. It’s fast, contactless, and just plain cool.
Why is Walmart investing in drone delivery now?
The timing of this expansion isn’t random. Walmart has been steadily testing and refining its drone delivery service since 2021, when it first launched in select locations. Since then, the company has completed more than 150,000 drone deliveries — a clear sign that customers are embracing this new delivery option.
In the company’s own words: “This expansion underscores Walmart’s commitment to reshaping the future of fast and flexible retail,” the press release stated. And let’s face it — speed is everything in today’s retail game. With competitors like Amazon pushing fast delivery windows, Walmart is stepping up its game by going vertical, literally.
Drone delivery gives Walmart a competitive edge, especially in suburban areas where traditional delivery routes can be slower or more expensive to maintain.
What can you order through Walmart’s drone delivery?
Let’s clear this up: not everything in the store is drone-eligible. But a surprising number of useful items are. Think of it like a flying convenience store. You can order things like:
- Over-the-counter medicine
- Snacks and beverages
- Baby supplies
- Quick dinner ingredients
- Small tech gadgets
- Pet food
Basically, if it weighs under 10 pounds and fits in the drone’s container, it’s fair game.
One pro tip? Keep your phone handy after ordering. You’ll get real-time tracking updates, and you can watch your drone approach your home right from the app.
How do you sign up for Walmart drone delivery?
If you live in one of the new drone delivery cities, signing up is easy. You’ll go through Walmart’s app or website just like you would for a normal order. If your address is within the eligible drone delivery zone, you’ll see the drone option pop up during checkout.
Some areas may still be in early rollout mode, so if you don’t see the drone option just yet, check back soon. And don’t worry — Walmart’s expanding fast, and more neighborhoods are getting added all the time.
Is Walmart drone delivery safe?
Absolutely. Walmart and its drone partners follow strict FAA regulations, and the operators behind the scenes are certified and trained. The drones themselves are equipped with safety systems and are designed to deliver packages without even touching the ground.
And if you’re worried about noise or neighborhood disruption, drone flights are brief and relatively quiet — designed to blend in rather than stand out.
