Freight Shipping from San Antonio to Little Rock
Ship freight from San Antonio, TX to Little Rock, AR 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
San Antonio to Little Rock 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.
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.
The San Antonio-to-Little Rock corridor spans 672 miles via I-35, I-10, I-40, I-30. This lane connects military & defense and healthcare freight from the San Antonio market to food processing and steel manufacturing demand in Little Rock. 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 Little Rock Receives
Little Rock's food processing, steel manufacturing, defense sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like San Antonio.
raw steel
consumer goods
agricultural chemicals
petroleum products
packaging materials
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between San Antonio and Little Rock, 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
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
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,117-$2,856 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 San Antonio to Little Rock 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 San Antonio and Little Rock that drive volume on this lane.
Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland/Randolph/Fort Sam)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas
H-E-B (HQ)
Dillard's (HQ)
Welspun Tubular
L'Oreal Manufacturing
Shipping Tips for San Antonio to Little Rock
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.
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.
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.
San Antonio to Little Rock Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from San Antonio to Little Rock?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from San Antonio, TX to Little Rock, AR 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 San Antonio to Little Rock?
Standard FTL transit from San Antonio to Little Rock 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 San Antonio to Little Rock 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. Little Rock commonly receives raw steel, consumer goods, agricultural chemicals. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Little Rock to San Antonio?
Yes. Little Rock is a strong outbound market shipping processed poultry, steel products, rice & grains. Carriers returning from Little Rock to San Antonio can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the San Antonio-to-Little Rock lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from San Antonio to Little Rock?
The San Antonio-to-Little Rock 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. Little Rock's primary inbound freight includes raw steel, consumer goods, agricultural chemicals, petroleum products, packaging materials, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include military & defense and healthcare from San Antonio and food processing and steel manufacturing in Little Rock.
Get Exact Rates for San Antonio to Little Rock
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