Freight Shipping from San Antonio to Norfolk
Ship freight from San Antonio, TX to Norfolk, VA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $3,855-$4,751, LTL from $1,186-$1,924. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,793 mi
Drive Time
33 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$3,855-$4,751
LTL Rate Est.
$1,186-$1,924
Consumer Goods Corridor
San Antonio → Norfolk Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
110–135
running this lane
Weekly Loads
196–217
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
80/100
Excellent
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$17–$28 one-way passing through TX, VA, TN, KY, MO, AR, OK, GA, SC, NC. 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 Norfolk 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.
Norfolk is the East Coast's deepest natural harbor and home to the Port of Virginia — the third-largest container port in the U.S. and the only East Coast port with 55-foot channels capable of handling fully loaded ultra-large container vessels at any tide. Naval Station Norfolk, the world's largest naval base, generates enormous military logistics volume. Huntington Ingalls' Newport News Shipyard builds America's aircraft carriers and submarines, creating specialized oversize freight that moves nowhere else in the country.
The San Antonio-to-Norfolk corridor spans 1,793 miles via I-35, I-10, I-64, I-264. This lane connects military & defense and healthcare freight from the San Antonio market to military & naval operations and port & maritime logistics demand in Norfolk. 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 Norfolk Receives
Norfolk's military & naval operations, port & maritime logistics, shipbuilding sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like San Antonio.
containerized imports (Asia/Europe)
vehicles (auto import)
crude oil
machinery
consumer goods
building materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between San Antonio and Norfolk, 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.
$3,855-$4,751 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.
$5,110-$6,544 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$5,648-$7,620 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.
$1,186-$1,924 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the San Antonio to Norfolk lane (1,793 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $3,855-$4,751 | 33 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,186-$1,924 | 35-37 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $5,827-$8,069 | 22 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,421-$3,317 | 36-38 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both San Antonio and Norfolk that drive volume on this lane.
Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland/Randolph/Fort Sam)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas
H-E-B (HQ)
Naval Station Norfolk (world's largest naval base)
Huntington Ingalls Industries (Newport News Shipbuilding)
Virginia Port Authority
Shipping Tips for San Antonio to Norfolk
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.
Norfolk Seasonal Advisory
Import container volumes peak August through November during retail peak season. Coal exports fluctuate with global energy demand and Asian steel production. Military freight is steady year-round but surges during deployment cycles and fleet maintenance periods.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,793 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 33 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 Norfolk — 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
Norfolk, VA
- Metro Population
- 1.8M metro (Hampton Roads)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-64, I-264, I-664
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk International Terminals (NIT); Virginia Inland Port (Front Royal); Norfolk Southern Lamberts Point Coal Terminal
- Port Access
- Port of Virginia — Norfolk (Chesapeake Bay/Atlantic, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Chesapeake/I-64 South, Suffolk/US-58 West, Portsmouth/I-264 Corridor
“The Port of Virginia's inland port network extends the port's reach 220 miles west to Front Royal via daily Norfolk Southern rail service, allowing containers to clear customs inland and reducing drayage congestion. Carriers who serve the inland port system access loads that bypass the congested Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel entirely.”
Return Loads from Norfolk
Norfolk 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 Norfolk
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 Norfolk Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from San Antonio to Norfolk?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from San Antonio, TX to Norfolk, VA currently range $3,855-$4,751 (roughly $2.17-$2.66 per mile over 1,793 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,186-$1,924 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 Norfolk?
Standard FTL transit from San Antonio to Norfolk is approximately 33 hrs by truck over 1,793 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 Norfolk International Terminals (NIT) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for San Antonio to Norfolk 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. Norfolk commonly receives containerized imports (Asia/Europe), vehicles (auto import), crude oil. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Norfolk to San Antonio?
Excellent backhaul (scored 80/100 based on Norfolk's outbound commodity mix). Norfolk 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. Norfolk's top outbound commodities — containerized exports, coal, soybeans & grain — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from San Antonio to Norfolk?
The San Antonio-to-Norfolk corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. San Antonio's top outbound commodities include military equipment, processed foods, manufactured goods, building materials, medical supplies, automotive parts. Norfolk's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports (Asia/Europe), vehicles (auto import), crude oil, machinery, consumer goods, building materials. Industries driving this lane include military & defense and healthcare from San Antonio and military & naval operations and port & maritime logistics in Norfolk.
When are rates highest on the San Antonio to Norfolk 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 Norfolk lane?
At 1,793 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 19-23 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 Norfolk
We maintain working relationships with 110+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the San Antonio–Norfolk 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