Freight Shipping from San Antonio to Tulsa
Ship freight from San Antonio, TX to Tulsa, OK with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,361-$1,677, LTL from $548-$938. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
633 mi
Drive Time
12 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,361-$1,677
LTL Rate Est.
$548-$938
San Antonio to Tulsa 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.
Tulsa is the aerospace maintenance capital of the central U.S., with American Airlines operating its largest MRO facility here — capable of servicing widebody aircraft. The Port of Catoosa, America's most inland river port, connects Tulsa to the Gulf of Mexico via the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, enabling barge-to-truck transloading for heavy industrial freight. The city's legacy oil refining infrastructure creates steady tanker and hazmat volumes.
The San Antonio-to-Tulsa corridor spans 633 miles via I-35, I-10, I-44, US-75. This lane connects military & defense and healthcare freight from the San Antonio market to aerospace manufacturing and energy demand in Tulsa. 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 Tulsa Receives
Tulsa's aerospace manufacturing, energy, steel fabrication sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like San Antonio.
crude oil
raw steel
aircraft sub-assemblies
chemicals
electronic components
packaging materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between San Antonio and Tulsa, 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.
$1,361-$1,677 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.
$1,804-$2,310 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,994-$2,690 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.
$548-$938 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the San Antonio to Tulsa lane (633 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,361-$1,677 | 12 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $548-$938 | 14-16 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,057-$2,849 | 8 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $855-$1,171 | 15-17 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both San Antonio and Tulsa that drive volume on this lane.
Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland/Randolph/Fort Sam)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas
H-E-B (HQ)
American Airlines Maintenance Base
NORDAM Group
Holly Frontier Refining
Shipping Tips for San Antonio to Tulsa
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.
Tulsa Seasonal Advisory
Aerospace MRO work peaks during winter when airlines pull aircraft from service for heavy maintenance checks. Refinery output is steady but turnaround seasons (spring and fall) temporarily reduce outbound tanker volumes while increasing inbound equipment freight.
Overnight Transit
This 633-mile route typically requires one overnight stop for a solo driver. Schedule pickup before noon for next-day delivery in most cases.
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.
San Antonio to Tulsa Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from San Antonio to Tulsa?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from San Antonio, TX to Tulsa, OK currently range from $1,361-$1,677 for a standard dry van load over the 633-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $548-$938 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Request a custom quote for exact pricing based on your specific shipment details.
How long does freight take from San Antonio to Tulsa?
Standard FTL transit from San Antonio to Tulsa is approximately 12 hrs by truck over 633 miles. 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 takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for San Antonio to Tulsa 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. Tulsa commonly receives crude oil, raw steel, aircraft sub-assemblies. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Tulsa to San Antonio?
Yes. Tulsa is a strong outbound market shipping aircraft components, refined fuels, steel pipe & fittings. Carriers returning from Tulsa to San Antonio can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the San Antonio-to-Tulsa lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from San Antonio to Tulsa?
The San Antonio-to-Tulsa corridor handles a diverse freight mix. San Antonio's top outbound commodities include military equipment, processed foods, manufactured goods, building materials, medical supplies, automotive parts. Tulsa's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, raw steel, aircraft sub-assemblies, chemicals, electronic components, packaging materials. Industries driving this lane include military & defense and healthcare from San Antonio and aerospace manufacturing and energy in Tulsa.
Get Exact Rates for San Antonio to Tulsa
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the San Antonio to Tulsa lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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