Freight Shipping from San Antonio to Memphis
Ship freight from San Antonio, TX to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,765-$2,176, LTL from $652-$1,098. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
821 mi
Drive Time
15 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,765-$2,176
LTL Rate Est.
$652-$1,098
San Antonio to Memphis 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.
Memphis is America's logistics capital, defined by FedEx's global SuperHub at Memphis International Airport — the world's busiest cargo airport. Every FedEx Express package in the Western Hemisphere passes through this facility, creating a 24/7 ground freight ecosystem of pickups, deliveries, and linehaul moves that sustains thousands of carriers. The Mississippi River port adds barge freight, and the city's five Class I railroad connections make it the most rail-served city in the nation.
The San Antonio-to-Memphis corridor spans 821 miles via I-35, I-10, I-40, I-55. This lane connects military & defense and healthcare freight from the San Antonio market to logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices demand in Memphis. 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 Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like San Antonio.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between San Antonio and Memphis, 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.
$1,765-$2,176 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.
$2,340-$2,997 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,586-$3,489 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.
$652-$1,098 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the San Antonio to Memphis lane (821 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,765-$2,176 | 15 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $652-$1,098 | 17-19 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,668-$3,695 | 10 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,108-$1,519 | 18-20 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both San Antonio and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland/Randolph/Fort Sam)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas
H-E-B (HQ)
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for San Antonio to Memphis
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.
Memphis Seasonal Advisory
FedEx's holiday peak season (November-January) transforms Memphis into a frenzy of carrier demand. Cotton harvest (October-December) drives outbound agricultural volume. The Mississippi River's water levels affect barge operations — low water in late summer can shift freight to trucks, spiking rates.
Overnight Transit
This 821-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 Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from San Antonio to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from San Antonio, TX to Memphis, TN currently range from $1,765-$2,176 for a standard dry van load over the 821-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $652-$1,098 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 Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from San Antonio to Memphis is approximately 15 hrs by truck over 821 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 Memphis 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. Memphis commonly receives e-commerce packages (FedEx), consumer goods, raw cotton. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Memphis to San Antonio?
Yes. Memphis is a strong outbound market shipping e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton. Carriers returning from Memphis to San Antonio can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the San Antonio-to-Memphis lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from San Antonio to Memphis?
The San Antonio-to-Memphis 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. Memphis's primary inbound freight includes e-commerce packages (FedEx), consumer goods, raw cotton, steel & metals, petroleum products, agricultural inputs. Industries driving this lane include military & defense and healthcare from San Antonio and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
Get Exact Rates for San Antonio to Memphis
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the San Antonio to Memphis lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts