Freight Shipping from San Antonio to Oakland
Ship freight from San Antonio, TX to Oakland, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,137-$5,099, LTL from $1,258-$2,035. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,924 mi
Drive Time
35 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,137-$5,099
LTL Rate Est.
$1,258-$2,035
Auto Manufacturing Corridor
San Antonio → Oakland Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
82–104
running this lane
Weekly Loads
195–212
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
72/100
Strong
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$23–$38 one-way passing through TX, CA, OK, NM. 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 Oakland 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.
Oakland is Northern California's freight nerve center. The Port of Oakland is the 8th busiest container port in North America and the primary export gateway for Central Valley agricultural products, particularly almonds bound for Asia and hay destined for Japan and the Middle East. The Oakland International Gateway intermodal facility provides direct rail connections to UP's transcontinental network, enabling shippers to avoid the congestion of Southern California ports.
The San Antonio-to-Oakland corridor spans 1,924 miles via I-35, I-10, I-80, I-880. This lane connects military & defense and healthcare freight from the San Antonio market to port operations & logistics and food & beverage distribution demand in Oakland. 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 Oakland Receives
Oakland's port operations & logistics, food & beverage distribution, technology sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like San Antonio.
containerized imports
automobiles
building materials
electronics
furniture
apparel
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between San Antonio and Oakland, 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.
$4,137-$5,099 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.
$5,483-$7,023 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.
$1,258-$2,035 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the San Antonio to Oakland lane (1,924 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,137-$5,099 | 35 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,258-$2,035 | 37-39 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $6,253-$8,658 | 23 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,597-$3,559 | 38-40 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both San Antonio and Oakland that drive volume on this lane.
Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland/Randolph/Fort Sam)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas
H-E-B (HQ)
Dreyer's/Nestle
Clorox (HQ)
Peet's Coffee (HQ)
Shipping Tips for San Antonio to Oakland
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.
Oakland Seasonal Advisory
Export volumes peak September through December as post-harvest agricultural commodities move to overseas markets. Import volumes follow retail patterns with an August-November surge for holiday goods.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,924 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 35 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 Oakland — 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
Oakland, CA
- Metro Population
- 2.8M metro (East Bay)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.50-$2.90/mi
- Key Highways
- I-80, I-880, I-580
- Rail / Intermodal
- UP Oakland Intermodal Gateway; Oakland International Gateway (OIG)
- Port Access
- Port of Oakland (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Oakland Army Base redevelopment, San Leandro/I-880 Corridor, West Oakland port district
“Unlike LA/Long Beach, Oakland is primarily an export port. Agricultural exporters from the Central Valley prefer Oakland because transit times to Asia are 1-2 days shorter than from Southern California, and port congestion is significantly lower.”
Return Loads from Oakland
Oakland 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 Oakland
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 Oakland Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from San Antonio to Oakland?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from San Antonio, TX to Oakland, CA currently range $4,137-$5,099 (roughly $2.16-$2.66 per mile over 1,924 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,258-$2,035 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 Oakland?
Standard FTL transit from San Antonio to Oakland is approximately 35 hrs by truck over 1,924 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 UP Oakland Intermodal Gateway takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for San Antonio to Oakland 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. Oakland commonly receives containerized imports, automobiles, building materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Oakland to San Antonio?
Strong backhaul (scored 72/100 based on Oakland's outbound commodity mix). Oakland generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to San Antonio is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Oakland's top outbound commodities — agricultural exports (almonds, hay), recycled commodities, manufactured goods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from San Antonio to Oakland?
The San Antonio-to-Oakland 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. Oakland's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, building materials, electronics, furniture, apparel. Industries driving this lane include military & defense and healthcare from San Antonio and port operations & logistics and food & beverage distribution in Oakland.
When are rates highest on the San Antonio to Oakland 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 Oakland lane?
At 1,924 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 21-25 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 Oakland
We maintain working relationships with 82+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the San Antonio–Oakland 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