Freight Shipping from Corpus Christi to San Antonio
Ship freight from Corpus Christi, TX to San Antonio, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $366-$451, LTL from $294-$545. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
170 mi
Drive Time
3 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$366-$451
LTL Rate Est.
$294-$545
Corpus Christi to San Antonio Freight Corridor
Corpus Christi is America's #1 crude oil export port and a petrochemical refining powerhouse on the Texas Gulf Coast. Flint Hills Resources and Citgo operate major refineries that process Eagle Ford Shale crude into gasoline, diesel, and petrochemical feedstocks. The port handles more tonnage than most people realize — over 100 million tons annually — making it one of the largest in the U.S. by volume. NAS Corpus Christi is the Navy's primary pilot training base, adding defense logistics to the energy-dominated freight mix.
San Antonio's freight economy is uniquely driven by the military — Joint Base San Antonio encompasses three installations and is the largest Department of Defense joint base in the country. Toyota's Tundra and Sequoia assembly plant in south San Antonio creates dedicated automotive lanes to suppliers across Texas and Mexico. H-E-B, the beloved Texas grocery chain headquartered here, operates one of the most efficient private distribution networks in the retail industry.
The Corpus Christi-to-San Antonio corridor spans 170 miles via I-37. This lane connects oil refining & petrochemicals and port logistics freight from the Corpus Christi market to military & defense and healthcare demand in San Antonio. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi's economy is driven by oil refining & petrochemicals, port logistics, military (nas corpus christi), generating consistent outbound freight demand.
refined petroleum
crude oil (export)
petrochemicals
LNG equipment
grain exports
military equipment
What San Antonio Receives
San Antonio's military & defense, healthcare, cybersecurity sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Corpus Christi.
consumer goods
building materials
military supplies
food products
fuel
vehicles
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Corpus Christi and San Antonio, these equipment types best serve this corridor.
Dry Van (FTL)
Ideal for palletized consumer goods, electronics, packaged foods, and general merchandise. Enclosed protection from weather and theft.
$366-$451 estimated for this lane
Flatbed
Best for steel, lumber, machinery, building materials, and oversized loads that cannot be palletized or loaded through standard dock doors.
$485-$621 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$536-$723 estimated for this lane
LTL (Less Than Truckload)
Cost-effective for shipments under 10,000 lbs or fewer than 10 pallets. Shared trailer space with other shippers reduces cost for smaller loads.
$294-$545 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Corpus Christi to San Antonio lane (170 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $366-$451 | 3 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $294-$545 | 5-7 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $553-$765 | 2 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Corpus Christi and San Antonio that drive volume on this lane.
Flint Hills Resources (Refinery)
Citgo (Refinery)
Port of Corpus Christi
Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland/Randolph/Fort Sam)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas
H-E-B (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Corpus Christi to San Antonio
Corpus Christi Seasonal Advisory
Refinery operations run year-round with planned turnarounds in spring and fall. Hurricane season (June-November) can disrupt port operations and create emergency freight demand. Crude oil export volumes have been steadily increasing year over year. Grain exports peak during fall harvest season.
San Antonio Seasonal Advisory
Military freight follows federal fiscal year cycles with a September surge. Toyota production runs year-round with July and December shutdowns. H-E-B distribution intensifies ahead of holidays and during severe weather events when Texans stock up.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 170 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
Book Early for Best Rates
Spot market rates fluctuate daily. Booking 3-5 days in advance typically saves 10-15% compared to same-day or next-day freight requests. For recurring shipments, ask about contract rates.
Corpus Christi to San Antonio Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Corpus Christi to San Antonio?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Corpus Christi, TX to San Antonio, TX currently range from $366-$451 for a standard dry van load over the 170-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $294-$545 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Request a custom quote for exact pricing based on your specific shipment details.
How long does freight take from Corpus Christi to San Antonio?
Standard FTL transit from Corpus Christi to San Antonio is approximately 3 hrs by truck over 170 miles. LTL shipments add 2-4 business days due to terminal transfers. Expedited service with team drivers can reduce FTL transit by up to 40%.
What equipment do I need for Corpus Christi to San Antonio freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Corpus Christi commonly ships refined petroleum, crude oil (export), petrochemicals, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. San Antonio commonly receives consumer goods, building materials, military supplies. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from San Antonio to Corpus Christi?
Yes. San Antonio is a strong outbound market shipping military equipment, processed foods, manufactured goods. Carriers returning from San Antonio to Corpus Christi can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Corpus Christi-to-San Antonio lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Corpus Christi to San Antonio?
The Corpus Christi-to-San Antonio corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Corpus Christi's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, crude oil (export), petrochemicals, LNG equipment, grain exports, military equipment. San Antonio's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, building materials, military supplies, food products, fuel, vehicles. Industries driving this lane include oil refining & petrochemicals and port logistics from Corpus Christi and military & defense and healthcare in San Antonio.
Get Exact Rates for Corpus Christi to San Antonio
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