Freight Shipping from San Antonio to Corpus Christi
Ship freight from San Antonio, TX to Corpus Christi, 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
San Antonio to Corpus Christi 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.
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.
The San Antonio-to-Corpus Christi corridor spans 170 miles via I-37. This lane connects military & defense and healthcare freight from the San Antonio market to oil refining & petrochemicals and port logistics demand in Corpus Christi. 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 Corpus Christi Receives
Corpus Christi's oil refining & petrochemicals, port logistics, military (nas corpus christi) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like San Antonio.
crude oil (pipeline/tanker)
industrial chemicals
consumer goods
building materials
military supplies
grain (for export)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between San Antonio and Corpus Christi, 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 San Antonio to Corpus Christi 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 San Antonio and Corpus Christi that drive volume on this lane.
Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland/Randolph/Fort Sam)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas
H-E-B (HQ)
Flint Hills Resources (Refinery)
Citgo (Refinery)
Port of Corpus Christi
Shipping Tips for San Antonio to Corpus Christi
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.
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.
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.
San Antonio to Corpus Christi Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from San Antonio to Corpus Christi?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from San Antonio, TX to Corpus Christi, 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 San Antonio to Corpus Christi?
Standard FTL transit from San Antonio to Corpus Christi 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 San Antonio to Corpus Christi 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. Corpus Christi commonly receives crude oil (pipeline/tanker), industrial chemicals, consumer goods. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Corpus Christi to San Antonio?
Yes. Corpus Christi is a strong outbound market shipping refined petroleum, crude oil (export), petrochemicals. Carriers returning from Corpus Christi to San Antonio can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the San Antonio-to-Corpus Christi lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from San Antonio to Corpus Christi?
The San Antonio-to-Corpus Christi corridor handles a diverse freight mix. San Antonio's top outbound commodities include military equipment, processed foods, manufactured goods, building materials, medical supplies, automotive parts. Corpus Christi's primary inbound freight includes crude oil (pipeline/tanker), industrial chemicals, consumer goods, building materials, military supplies, grain (for export). Industries driving this lane include military & defense and healthcare from San Antonio and oil refining & petrochemicals and port logistics in Corpus Christi.
Get Exact Rates for San Antonio to Corpus Christi
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the San Antonio to Corpus Christi lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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