Freight Shipping from Little Rock to San Antonio
Ship freight from Little Rock, AR to San Antonio, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,445-$1,781, LTL from $570-$971. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
672 mi
Drive Time
12 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,445-$1,781
LTL Rate Est.
$570-$971
Little Rock to San Antonio Freight Corridor
Little Rock benefits from its central US location at the junction of I-40 and I-30, putting it within a day's drive of Dallas, Memphis, Kansas City, and St. Louis. The McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System connects the metro to inland barge traffic, creating intermodal opportunities for bulk shippers. The North Little Rock rail yards are among the busiest in the mid-South, with UP and BNSF both running major classification operations.
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 Little Rock-to-San Antonio corridor spans 672 miles via I-40, I-30, I-35, I-10. This lane connects food processing and steel manufacturing freight from the Little Rock 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 Little Rock
Little Rock's economy is driven by food processing, steel manufacturing, defense, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
processed poultry
steel products
rice & grains
paper & tissue products
military equipment
packaged foods
What San Antonio Receives
San Antonio's military & defense, healthcare, cybersecurity sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Little Rock.
consumer goods
building materials
military supplies
food products
fuel
vehicles
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Little Rock 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.
$1,445-$1,781 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.
$1,781-$2,251 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.
$1,915-$2,453 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.
$570-$971 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Little Rock to San Antonio lane (672 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,445-$1,781 | 12 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $570-$971 | 14-16 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,184-$3,024 | 8 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $907-$1,243 | 15-17 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Little Rock and San Antonio that drive volume on this lane.
Dillard's (HQ)
Welspun Tubular
L'Oreal Manufacturing
Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland/Randolph/Fort Sam)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas
H-E-B (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Little Rock to San Antonio
Little Rock Seasonal Advisory
Rice harvest (August-October) drives bulk and hopper trailer demand. Post-Thanksgiving through Christmas, Dillard's distribution network creates retail surge freight on lanes to the Southeast and Midwest.
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.
Overnight Transit
This 672-mile route typically requires one overnight stop for a solo driver. Schedule pickup before noon for next-day delivery in most cases.
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.
Little Rock to San Antonio Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Little Rock to San Antonio?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Little Rock, AR to San Antonio, TX currently range from $1,445-$1,781 for a standard dry van load over the 672-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $570-$971 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 Little Rock to San Antonio?
Standard FTL transit from Little Rock to San Antonio is approximately 12 hrs by truck over 672 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Little Rock to San Antonio freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Little Rock commonly ships processed poultry, steel products, rice & grains, 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 Little Rock?
Yes. San Antonio is a strong outbound market shipping military equipment, processed foods, manufactured goods. Carriers returning from San Antonio to Little Rock can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Little Rock-to-San Antonio lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Little Rock to San Antonio?
The Little Rock-to-San Antonio corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Little Rock's top outbound commodities include processed poultry, steel products, rice & grains, paper & tissue products, military equipment, packaged foods. San Antonio's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, building materials, military supplies, food products, fuel, vehicles. Industries driving this lane include food processing and steel manufacturing from Little Rock and military & defense and healthcare in San Antonio.
Get Exact Rates for Little Rock to San Antonio
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Little Rock to San Antonio lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts