Freight Shipping from San Antonio to Long Beach
Ship freight from San Antonio, TX to Long Beach, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $3,341-$4,118, LTL from $1,055-$1,721. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,554 mi
Drive Time
28 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$3,341-$4,118
LTL Rate Est.
$1,055-$1,721
Auto Manufacturing Corridor
San Antonio → Long Beach Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
100–114
running this lane
Weekly Loads
85–98
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.68
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
77/100
Strong
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$19–$31 one-way passing through TX, CA, OK, NM. 4 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 Long Beach 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.
The Port of Long Beach, paired with the adjacent Port of Los Angeles, forms the San Pedro Bay complex that handles nearly half of all US maritime imports. Long Beach itself has invested billions in on-dock rail infrastructure, allowing containers to move directly from ship to train without a truck dray, though the majority still leave by truck on the notoriously congested I-710. The city's zero-emission truck mandates are reshaping drayage economics as carriers invest in electric and hydrogen-powered equipment.
The San Antonio-to-Long Beach corridor spans 1,554 miles via I-35, I-10, I-710, I-405. This lane connects military & defense and healthcare freight from the San Antonio market to port operations and oil & petrochemicals demand in Long Beach. 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 Long Beach Receives
Long Beach's port operations, oil & petrochemicals, aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like San Antonio.
containerized consumer goods
electronics
furniture
auto parts
textiles
toys & housewares
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between San Antonio and Long Beach, 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.
$3,341-$4,118 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.
$4,429-$5,672 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.
$1,055-$1,721 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the San Antonio to Long Beach lane (1,554 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $3,341-$4,118 | 28 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,055-$1,721 | 30-32 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $5,051-$6,993 | 19 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,098-$2,875 | 31-33 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both San Antonio and Long Beach that drive volume on this lane.
Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland/Randolph/Fort Sam)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas
H-E-B (HQ)
Virgin Orbit
Boeing C-17 (closed 2015, still parts)
Epson America
Shipping Tips for San Antonio to Long Beach
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.
Long Beach Seasonal Advisory
Peak import season runs August through November for holiday retail. The "blank sailing" period during Chinese New Year (January-February) creates a 3-4 week dip before the spring restocking wave.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,554 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 28 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 Long Beach — 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
Long Beach, CA
- Metro Population
- 475K city
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.40-$2.80/mi
- Key Highways
- I-710, I-405, SR-47
- Rail / Intermodal
- Pier B On-Dock Rail (UP/BNSF); ITS Terminal; TTI Terminal
- Port Access
- Port of Long Beach (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- North Long Beach, Carson/Dominguez, Signal Hill
“Long Beach's Clean Truck Program now requires all drayage trucks entering the port to meet 2010 or newer emission standards. The upcoming zero-emission mandate is already driving smaller drayage operators out of the market, concentrating volume with larger, better-capitalized fleets.”
Return Loads from Long Beach
Long Beach 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 Long Beach
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 Long Beach Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from San Antonio to Long Beach?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from San Antonio, TX to Long Beach, CA currently range $3,341-$4,118 (roughly $2.17-$2.68 per mile over 1,554 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,055-$1,721 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 Long Beach?
Standard FTL transit from San Antonio to Long Beach is approximately 28 hrs by truck over 1,554 miles, with 4 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 Pier B On-Dock Rail (UP/BNSF) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for San Antonio to Long Beach 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. Long Beach commonly receives containerized consumer goods, electronics, furniture. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Long Beach to San Antonio?
Strong backhaul (scored 77/100 based on Long Beach's outbound commodity mix). Long Beach generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to San Antonio is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Long Beach's top outbound commodities — transloaded imports, petroleum products, recycled materials — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from San Antonio to Long Beach?
The San Antonio-to-Long Beach corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Auto Manufacturing Corridor. San Antonio's top outbound commodities include military equipment, processed foods, manufactured goods, building materials, medical supplies, automotive parts. Long Beach's primary inbound freight includes containerized consumer goods, electronics, furniture, auto parts, textiles, toys & housewares. Industries driving this lane include military & defense and healthcare from San Antonio and port operations and oil & petrochemicals in Long Beach.
When are rates highest on the San Antonio to Long Beach 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.
Should I use team drivers for the San Antonio to Long Beach lane?
At 1,554 miles, this route exceeds a solo driver's hours-of-service limits and requires at least one 10-hour break, adding roughly 14-18 hours to transit. Team drivers typically deliver in 17-20 hours — nearly half the solo transit — at a 20-35% rate premium. For time-critical freight over 1,200 miles, teams generally pay for themselves.
Get Exact Rates for San Antonio to Long Beach
We maintain working relationships with 100+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the San Antonio–Long Beach 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