Freight Shipping from San Antonio to Salt Lake City
Ship freight from San Antonio, TX to Salt Lake City, UT with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $3,038-$3,744, LTL from $977-$1,601. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,413 mi
Drive Time
26 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$3,038-$3,744
LTL Rate Est.
$977-$1,601
Industrial Freight Lane
San Antonio → Salt Lake City Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
101–116
running this lane
Weekly Loads
195–216
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.66
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
$15–$24 one-way passing through TX, UT, OK, NM. 3 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 Salt Lake City 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.
Salt Lake City is the Intermountain West's primary logistics gateway, sitting at the junction of I-15 and I-80 — the only major east-west corridor between Denver and the West Coast. The Bingham Canyon copper mine, the world's largest open-pit mine, generates heavy-haul mining equipment and concentrate freight. Silicon Slopes tech companies along the I-15 corridor from Provo to Ogden create a growing base of e-commerce and electronics shipments requiring fast, reliable service.
The San Antonio-to-Salt Lake City corridor spans 1,413 miles via I-35, I-10, I-15, I-80. This lane connects military & defense and healthcare freight from the San Antonio market to technology (silicon slopes) and mining & minerals demand in Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City Receives
Salt Lake City's technology (silicon slopes), mining & minerals, aerospace & defense sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like San Antonio.
consumer goods
building materials
raw minerals
vehicles
fuel products
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between San Antonio and Salt Lake City, 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.
$3,038-$3,744 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.
$4,027-$5,157 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.
$977-$1,601 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the San Antonio to Salt Lake City lane (1,413 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $3,038-$3,744 | 26 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $977-$1,601 | 28-30 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $4,592-$6,359 | 17 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,908-$2,614 | 29-31 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both San Antonio and Salt Lake City that drive volume on this lane.
Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland/Randolph/Fort Sam)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas
H-E-B (HQ)
Rio Tinto Kennecott (Bingham Canyon Mine)
L3Harris Technologies
Overstock.com
Shipping Tips for San Antonio to Salt Lake City
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.
Salt Lake City Seasonal Advisory
Ski season (November-April) drives hospitality and recreation freight to resort towns. Mining operations run year-round but production peaks in dry summer months. Construction activity slows during harsh winter months but the region's growth means it never truly stops.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,413 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 26 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 Salt Lake City — 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
Salt Lake City, UT
- Metro Population
- 1.3M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.25-$2.65/mi
- Key Highways
- I-15, I-80, I-215
- Rail / Intermodal
- Union Pacific Salt Lake City Intermodal; BNSF Salt Lake Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- West Valley City/I-215 Belt, North Salt Lake/I-15 North, Salt Lake City International Airport Area
“SLC's geographic isolation is both challenge and opportunity — the city is 500+ miles from the nearest major market (Denver or Las Vegas). Carriers who commit to regular SLC lanes build strong relationships with shippers desperate for reliable capacity, often earning above-market rates due to the repositioning miles involved.”
Return Loads from Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City
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 Salt Lake City Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from San Antonio to Salt Lake City?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from San Antonio, TX to Salt Lake City, UT currently range $3,038-$3,744 (roughly $2.16-$2.66 per mile over 1,413 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $977-$1,601 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 Salt Lake City?
Standard FTL transit from San Antonio to Salt Lake City is approximately 26 hrs by truck over 1,413 miles, with 3 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 Union Pacific Salt Lake City Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for San Antonio to Salt Lake City 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. Salt Lake City commonly receives consumer goods, building materials, raw minerals. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Salt Lake City to San Antonio?
Strong backhaul (scored 69/100 based on Salt Lake City's outbound commodity mix). Salt Lake City generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to San Antonio is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Salt Lake City's top outbound commodities — copper & minerals, electronics, outdoor recreation equipment — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from San Antonio to Salt Lake City?
The San Antonio-to-Salt Lake City 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. Salt Lake City's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, building materials, raw minerals, vehicles, fuel products, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include military & defense and healthcare from San Antonio and technology (Silicon Slopes) and mining & minerals in Salt Lake City.
When are rates highest on the San Antonio to Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City
We maintain working relationships with 101+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the San Antonio–Salt Lake City 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