Freight Shipping from San Antonio to Newark
Ship freight from San Antonio, TX to Newark, NJ with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,399-$5,422, LTL from $1,325-$2,139. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,046 mi
Drive Time
37 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,399-$5,422
LTL Rate Est.
$1,325-$2,139
Port Drayage Corridor
San Antonio → Newark Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
71–90
running this lane
Weekly Loads
189–207
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
69/100
Strong
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$38–$63 one-way passing through TX, NJ, TN, KY, VA, OH, IN, IL, MO, AR, OK, GA, SC, NC. 5 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 Newark 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.
Newark is the epicenter of East Coast container freight, with Port Newark-Elizabeth handling 8+ million TEUs annually as the busiest port on the Atlantic seaboard. The drayage market from the port terminals to regional distribution centers is one of the highest-volume, most competitive trucking segments in the nation. Newark Liberty Airport adds significant air cargo volume, making this one of the densest multimodal freight zones in the world.
The San Antonio-to-Newark corridor spans 2,046 miles via I-35, I-10, I-95/NJ Turnpike, I-78. This lane connects military & defense and healthcare freight from the San Antonio market to port logistics & drayage and air cargo demand in Newark. 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 Newark Receives
Newark's port logistics & drayage, air cargo, pharmaceuticals sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like San Antonio.
imported containers (all categories)
consumer electronics
apparel & textiles
furniture
automotive parts
food imports
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between San Antonio and Newark, 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.
$4,399-$5,422 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.
$5,831-$7,468 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.
$1,325-$2,139 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the San Antonio to Newark lane (2,046 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,399-$5,422 | 37 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,325-$2,139 | 39-41 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $6,650-$9,207 | 25 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,762-$3,785 | 40-42 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both San Antonio and Newark that drive volume on this lane.
Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland/Randolph/Fort Sam)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas
H-E-B (HQ)
Maersk (Port Newark)
Amazon EWR Fulfillment
Anheuser-Busch Newark
Shipping Tips for San Antonio to Newark
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.
Newark Seasonal Advisory
Import volumes peak August through October as retailers stock for the holiday season, creating severe chassis shortages and 3-5 day terminal wait times. Post-Lunar New Year (February-March) brings a second surge as Asian factories resume production.
Consider Team Drivers
At 2,046 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 37 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 Newark — 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
Newark, NJ
- Metro Population
- 2.0M metro (Newark-Union)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.60-$3.10/mi
- Key Highways
- I-95/NJ Turnpike, I-78, I-280
- Rail / Intermodal
- Port Newark Container Terminal; ExpressRail Elizabeth Intermodal
- Port Access
- Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Elizabeth/Port District, Kearny/Meadowlands, Linden/I-95 South
“Port Newark drayage is a specialized market where chassis availability, terminal turn times, and demurrage/detention charges can make or break profitability. Experienced port truckers who understand terminal gate procedures and chassis pool logistics consistently outperform general freight carriers attempting to enter this market.”
Return Loads from Newark
Newark 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 Newark
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 Newark Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from San Antonio to Newark?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from San Antonio, TX to Newark, NJ currently range $4,399-$5,422 (roughly $2.17-$2.65 per mile over 2,046 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,325-$2,139 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 Newark?
Standard FTL transit from San Antonio to Newark is approximately 37 hrs by truck over 2,046 miles, with 5 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 Port Newark Container Terminal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for San Antonio to Newark 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. Newark commonly receives imported containers (all categories), consumer electronics, apparel & textiles. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Newark to San Antonio?
Strong backhaul (scored 69/100 based on Newark's outbound commodity mix). Newark generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to San Antonio is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Newark's top outbound commodities — containerized exports, pharmaceuticals, refined petroleum — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from San Antonio to Newark?
The San Antonio-to-Newark corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Port Drayage Corridor. San Antonio's top outbound commodities include military equipment, processed foods, manufactured goods, building materials, medical supplies, automotive parts. Newark's primary inbound freight includes imported containers (all categories), consumer electronics, apparel & textiles, furniture, automotive parts, food imports. Industries driving this lane include military & defense and healthcare from San Antonio and port logistics & drayage and air cargo in Newark.
What tolls should I expect on the San Antonio to Newark route?
Expect roughly $38-$63 in tolls round-trip passing through TX, NJ, TN, KY, VA, OH, IN, IL, MO, AR, OK, GA, SC, NC. Most rate quotes either include tolls in the line-haul or bill them as a separate pass-through — ask your dispatcher to confirm which model applies to your lane.
When are rates highest on the San Antonio to Newark 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 Newark lane?
At 2,046 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 22-27 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 Newark
We maintain working relationships with 71+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the San Antonio–Newark corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
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