Freight Shipping from San Antonio to Nashville
Ship freight from San Antonio, TX to Nashville, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,301-$2,836, LTL from $789-$1,310. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,070 mi
Drive Time
19 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,301-$2,836
LTL Rate Est.
$789-$1,310
Industrial Freight Lane
San Antonio → Nashville Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
142–160
running this lane
Weekly Loads
193–211
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
83/100
Excellent
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$11–$18 one-way passing through TX, TN, MO, AR, OK. 2 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 Nashville 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.
Nashville has emerged as one of America's fastest-growing freight markets, fueled by explosive population growth and a diversified economy anchored by healthcare and automotive. Nissan's Smyrna assembly plant — the most productive auto plant in North America — builds 640,000+ vehicles annually, while HCA Healthcare's headquarters drives medical supply distribution across 180+ hospitals. The I-40/I-65/I-24 triple junction gives Nashville reach to virtually every major market east of the Rockies.
The San Antonio-to-Nashville corridor spans 1,070 miles via I-35, I-10, I-40, I-65. This lane connects military & defense and healthcare freight from the San Antonio market to healthcare and music & entertainment demand in Nashville. 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 Nashville Receives
Nashville's healthcare, music & entertainment, automotive manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like San Antonio.
automotive components
consumer electronics
construction materials
food products
retail merchandise
medical supplies
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between San Antonio and Nashville, 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.
$2,301-$2,836 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.
$3,050-$3,906 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.
$789-$1,310 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the San Antonio to Nashville lane (1,070 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,301-$2,836 | 19 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $789-$1,310 | 21-23 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,478-$4,815 | 13 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,445-$1,980 | 22-24 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both San Antonio and Nashville that drive volume on this lane.
Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland/Randolph/Fort Sam)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas
H-E-B (HQ)
Nissan North America (HQ & Smyrna Plant)
HCA Healthcare (HQ)
Bridgestone Americas (HQ)
Shipping Tips for San Antonio to Nashville
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.
Nashville Seasonal Advisory
Nissan production runs year-round with brief shutdowns in July and December. Healthcare supply distribution peaks during flu season (October-March). The massive construction boom for Nashville's growth creates steady building material demand March through November.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,070 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 19 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 Nashville — 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
Nashville, TN
- Metro Population
- 2.0M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- I-40, I-65, I-24
- Rail / Intermodal
- CSX Nashville Intermodal; Radnor Yard (Nashville's primary rail facility)
- Warehouse Districts
- La Vergne/I-24 Southeast, Lebanon/I-40 East, Smyrna/I-24 Nissan Corridor
“Nashville's population boom (adding 80+ people per day) has created a permanent imbalance — inbound freight exceeds outbound, meaning carriers delivering to Nashville often face deadhead miles finding loads out. Savvy dispatchers book outbound loads in advance, particularly automotive parts heading to Midwest assembly plants.”
Return Loads from Nashville
Nashville is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to San Antonio typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Nashville
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 Nashville Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from San Antonio to Nashville?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from San Antonio, TX to Nashville, TN currently range $2,301-$2,836 (roughly $2.15-$2.67 per mile over 1,070 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $789-$1,310 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 Nashville?
Standard FTL transit from San Antonio to Nashville is approximately 19 hrs by truck over 1,070 miles, with 2 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 CSX Nashville Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for San Antonio to Nashville 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. Nashville commonly receives automotive components, consumer electronics, construction materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Nashville to San Antonio?
Excellent backhaul (scored 83/100 based on Nashville's outbound commodity mix). Nashville is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to San Antonio typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate. Nashville's top outbound commodities — healthcare products, automotive parts (Nissan), consumer goods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from San Antonio to Nashville?
The San Antonio-to-Nashville corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Industrial Freight Lane. San Antonio's top outbound commodities include military equipment, processed foods, manufactured goods, building materials, medical supplies, automotive parts. Nashville's primary inbound freight includes automotive components, consumer electronics, construction materials, food products, retail merchandise, medical supplies. Industries driving this lane include military & defense and healthcare from San Antonio and healthcare and music & entertainment in Nashville.
When are rates highest on the San Antonio to Nashville 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 Nashville
We maintain working relationships with 142+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the San Antonio–Nashville 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