Freight Shipping from San Antonio to Atlanta
Ship freight from San Antonio, TX to Atlanta, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,464-$3,037, LTL from $830-$1,374. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,146 mi
Drive Time
21 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,464-$3,037
LTL Rate Est.
$830-$1,374
Fresh Food Lane
San Antonio → Atlanta Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
136–152
running this lane
Weekly Loads
196–215
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
73/100
Strong
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$11–$18 one-way passing through TX, GA, AR, OK. 3 typical fuel stops 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.
San Antonio to Atlanta Freight Corridor
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.
Atlanta is the freight crossroads of the Southeast and arguably the most balanced truck market in the country. The convergence of I-75, I-85, and I-20 creates a natural hub where carriers can find loads heading in virtually any direction within hours. UPS and The Home Depot both headquarter their logistics operations here, contributing to a freight ecosystem so dense that the metro has more warehouse space than most states. Norfolk Southern and CSX both maintain major intermodal operations, making Atlanta the rail freight capital of the Southeast.
The San Antonio-to-Atlanta corridor spans 1,146 miles via I-35, I-10, I-75, I-85. This lane connects military & defense and healthcare freight from the San Antonio market to logistics & distribution and film & entertainment demand in Atlanta. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from San Antonio
San Antonio's economy is driven by military & defense, healthcare, cybersecurity, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
military equipment
processed foods
manufactured goods
building materials
medical supplies
automotive parts
What Atlanta Receives
Atlanta's logistics & distribution, film & entertainment, financial technology sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like San Antonio.
consumer goods
construction materials
automotive parts
electronics
food ingredients
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between San Antonio and Atlanta, 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.
$2,464-$3,037 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.
$3,266-$4,183 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.
$830-$1,374 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the San Antonio to Atlanta lane (1,146 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,464-$3,037 | 21 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $830-$1,374 | 23-25 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,725-$5,157 | 14 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,547-$2,120 | 24-26 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both San Antonio and Atlanta that drive volume on this lane.
Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland/Randolph/Fort Sam)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas
H-E-B (HQ)
The Home Depot (HQ)
UPS (HQ)
Coca-Cola (HQ)
Shipping Tips for San Antonio to Atlanta
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.
Atlanta Seasonal Advisory
Home improvement freight (Home Depot's supply chain) peaks March through June. Carpet shipments from the Dalton mills 90 miles north run heaviest in spring and fall. Coca-Cola distribution spikes ahead of summer and holiday seasons.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,146 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 21 hours without mandatory 10-hour rest breaks, cutting transit time nearly in half compared to a solo driver.
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 San Antonio and Atlanta — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
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.”
Destination
Atlanta, GA
- Metro Population
- 6.1M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.20-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-75, I-85, I-20
- Rail / Intermodal
- NS Inman Yard; CSX Fairburn Intermodal; NS Austell Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- South Atlanta/I-75 (McDonough/Locust Grove), West Atlanta/I-20 (Douglasville/Lithia Springs), Northeast/I-85 (Braselton/Jefferson)
“Atlanta's I-285 perimeter loop is the single most important freight route in the Southeast. Carriers who understand the clockwise vs. counterclockwise traffic patterns and time their crosstown runs to avoid the I-285/I-85 Spaghetti Junction can save 45-90 minutes per delivery.”
Return Loads from Atlanta
Atlanta generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to San Antonio is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Atlanta
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
San Antonio to Atlanta Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from San Antonio to Atlanta?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from San Antonio, TX to Atlanta, GA currently range $2,464-$3,037 (roughly $2.17-$2.66 per mile over 1,146 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $830-$1,374 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 San Antonio to Atlanta?
Standard FTL transit from San Antonio to Atlanta is approximately 21 hrs by truck over 1,146 miles, with 3 typical fuel stops 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service via Union Pacific San Antonio Intermodal to NS Inman Yard takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for San Antonio to Atlanta freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. San Antonio commonly ships military equipment, processed foods, manufactured goods, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Atlanta commonly receives consumer goods, construction materials, automotive parts. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Atlanta to San Antonio?
Strong backhaul (scored 73/100 based on Atlanta's outbound commodity mix). Atlanta generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to San Antonio is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Atlanta's top outbound commodities — automobiles (Kia), poultry products, soft drinks & beverages — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from San Antonio to Atlanta?
The San Antonio-to-Atlanta corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Fresh Food Lane. San Antonio's top outbound commodities include military equipment, processed foods, manufactured goods, building materials, medical supplies, automotive parts. Atlanta's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, construction materials, automotive parts, electronics, food ingredients, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include military & defense and healthcare from San Antonio and logistics & distribution and film & entertainment in Atlanta.
When are rates highest on the San Antonio to Atlanta lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to military & defense and healthcare 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.
Get Exact Rates for San Antonio to Atlanta
We maintain working relationships with 136+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the San Antonio–Atlanta 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