Freight Shipping from Fort Worth to San Antonio
Ship freight from Fort Worth, TX to San Antonio, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $671-$827, LTL from $372-$665. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
312 mi
Drive Time
6 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$671-$827
LTL Rate Est.
$372-$665
Consumer Goods Corridor
Fort Worth → San Antonio Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
163–187
running this lane
Weekly Loads
193–205
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
74/100
Strong
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$3–$5 one-way passing through TX. 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Fort Worth to San Antonio Freight Corridor
Fort Worth is the aerospace and rail logistics capital of Texas. Lockheed Martin's mile-long factory produces every F-35 Lightning II fighter jet sold worldwide, generating classified, oversize, and high-security freight that requires specialized carriers. BNSF Railway's headquarters and Alliance Texas — the nation's largest inland port — create one of the most sophisticated intermodal logistics ecosystems in North America. Bell Textron builds V-22 Ospreys and commercial helicopters, adding to the aerospace freight base.
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 Fort Worth-to-San Antonio corridor spans 312 miles via I-35W, I-30, I-35, I-10. This lane connects aerospace & defense and rail logistics freight from the Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth
Fort Worth's economy is driven by aerospace & defense, rail logistics, ranching & agriculture, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
F-35 fighter jet components
Bell helicopters
grain & cattle
consumer goods
dairy products
industrial equipment
What San Antonio Receives
San Antonio's military & defense, healthcare, cybersecurity sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Fort Worth.
consumer goods
building materials
military supplies
food products
fuel
vehicles
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Fort Worth 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.
$671-$827 estimated for this lane
Refrigerated (Reefer)
Required for temperature-sensitive freight including fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. Maintains precise temperature control throughout transit.
$827-$1,045 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.
$889-$1,139 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.
$372-$665 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Fort Worth to San Antonio lane (312 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $671-$827 | 6 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $372-$665 | 8-10 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,014-$1,404 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Fort Worth and San Antonio that drive volume on this lane.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (F-35)
Bell Textron (HQ)
BNSF Railway (HQ)
Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland/Randolph/Fort Sam)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas
H-E-B (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Fort Worth to San Antonio
Fort Worth Seasonal Advisory
Defense freight follows federal fiscal year-end spending (September rush). BNSF intermodal volumes peak during Q4 import season. Livestock and agricultural freight from the Fort Worth Stockyards region is strongest March through October.
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 312 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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Fort Worth and San Antonio — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Fort Worth, TX
- Metro Population
- 7.6M metro (DFW)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.05-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-35W, I-30, I-20
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Alliance Intermodal Facility; Alliance Texas Logistics Hub
- Warehouse Districts
- AllianceTexas/I-35W North, South Fort Worth/I-20 Corridor, Haslet/Alliance Gateway
“AllianceTexas is not just an intermodal facility — it's a 27,000-acre master-planned logistics campus with its own airport, rail yard, and 50+ million square feet of warehouse space. Carriers who operate within the Alliance ecosystem can string together multiple loads without leaving the campus.”
Destination
San Antonio, TX
- Metro Population
- 2.6M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.05-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-35, I-10, I-37
- Rail / Intermodal
- Union Pacific San Antonio Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- South San Antonio/I-35 South, Converse/I-10 East, New Braunfels/I-35 North
“San Antonio's position on I-35 between Austin and the Mexican border at Laredo makes it a natural waypoint for northbound cross-border freight. Carriers who deliver locally can often pick up Mexico-origin loads heading to Dallas, Austin, or beyond without significant deadhead.”
Return Loads from San Antonio
San Antonio generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Fort Worth is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from San Antonio
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Fort Worth to San Antonio Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Fort Worth to San Antonio?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Fort Worth, TX to San Antonio, TX currently range $671-$827 (roughly $2.16-$2.67 per mile over 312 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $372-$665 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently balanced on this corridor, so booking 3-5 days out locks in the best pricing. Request a custom quote for exact rates.
How long does freight take from Fort Worth to San Antonio?
Standard FTL transit from Fort Worth to San Antonio is approximately 6 hrs by truck over 312 miles, with 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor. 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 Fort Worth to San Antonio freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Fort Worth commonly ships F-35 fighter jet components, Bell helicopters, grain & cattle, 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 Fort Worth?
Strong backhaul (scored 74/100 based on San Antonio's outbound commodity mix). San Antonio generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Fort Worth is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. San Antonio's top outbound commodities — military equipment, processed foods, manufactured goods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Fort Worth to San Antonio?
The Fort Worth-to-San Antonio corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Fort Worth's top outbound commodities include F-35 fighter jet components, Bell helicopters, grain & cattle, consumer goods, dairy products, industrial equipment. San Antonio's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, building materials, military supplies, food products, fuel, vehicles. Industries driving this lane include aerospace & defense and rail logistics from Fort Worth and military & defense and healthcare in San Antonio.
When are rates highest on the Fort Worth to San Antonio lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to aerospace & defense and rail logistics cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Can freight from Fort Worth to San Antonio be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 312 miles (6 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Fort Worth-to-San Antonio lane in one shift. Same-day delivery requires booking before 9 AM local time at origin and confirming dock availability at destination. Expedited service runs 5 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Fort Worth to San Antonio
We maintain working relationships with 163+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Fort Worth–San Antonio corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts