Freight Shipping from San Francisco to San Antonio
Ship freight from San Francisco, CA to San Antonio, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,158-$5,125, LTL from $1,264-$2,044. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,934 mi
Drive Time
35 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,158-$5,125
LTL Rate Est.
$1,264-$2,044
San Francisco to San Antonio Freight Corridor
San Francisco's freight economy is driven by the highest-value-per-pound commodities in the country. Biotech shipments from the South San Francisco corridor require validated cold chain logistics, while tech companies demand white-glove, high-security transport for prototype hardware and server equipment. The constrained geography of the peninsula limits warehouse space, pushing most distribution operations across the bay to Oakland or south to San Jose.
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.
The San Francisco-to-San Antonio corridor spans 1,934 miles via I-80, US-101, I-35, I-10. This lane connects technology and biotechnology freight from the San Francisco market to military & defense and healthcare demand in San Antonio. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from San Francisco
San Francisco's economy is driven by technology, biotechnology, financial services, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
tech hardware & servers
biotech pharmaceuticals
wine & spirits
specialty foods
medical devices
lab equipment
What San Antonio Receives
San Antonio's military & defense, healthcare, cybersecurity sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like San Francisco.
consumer goods
building materials
military supplies
food products
fuel
vehicles
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between San Francisco and San Antonio, 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.
$4,158-$5,125 estimated for this lane
Refrigerated (Reefer)
Required for temperature-sensitive freight including fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. Maintains precise temperature control throughout transit.
$5,125-$6,479 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.
$5,512-$7,059 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.
$1,264-$2,044 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the San Francisco to San Antonio lane (1,934 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,158-$5,125 | 35 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,264-$2,044 | 37-39 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $6,286-$8,703 | 23 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,611-$3,578 | 38-40 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both San Francisco and San Antonio that drive volume on this lane.
Salesforce
Genentech
McKesson
Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland/Randolph/Fort Sam)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas
H-E-B (HQ)
Shipping Tips for San Francisco to San Antonio
San Francisco Seasonal Advisory
Wine harvest (August-October) from Napa and Sonoma valleys creates seasonal reefer and temperature-controlled demand. Tech company product launches (often September-October) drive spikes in white-glove shipments.
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.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,934 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.
San Francisco to San Antonio Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from San Francisco to San Antonio?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from San Francisco, CA to San Antonio, TX currently range from $4,158-$5,125 for a standard dry van load over the 1,934-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $1,264-$2,044 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 Francisco to San Antonio?
Standard FTL transit from San Francisco to San Antonio is approximately 35 hrs by truck over 1,934 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 Francisco to San Antonio freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. San Francisco commonly ships tech hardware & servers, biotech pharmaceuticals, wine & spirits, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. San Antonio commonly receives consumer goods, building materials, military supplies. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from San Antonio to San Francisco?
Yes. San Antonio is a strong outbound market shipping military equipment, processed foods, manufactured goods. Carriers returning from San Antonio to San Francisco can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the San Francisco-to-San Antonio lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from San Francisco to San Antonio?
The San Francisco-to-San Antonio corridor handles a diverse freight mix. San Francisco's top outbound commodities include tech hardware & servers, biotech pharmaceuticals, wine & spirits, specialty foods, medical devices, lab equipment. San Antonio's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, building materials, military supplies, food products, fuel, vehicles. Industries driving this lane include technology and biotechnology from San Francisco and military & defense and healthcare in San Antonio.
Get Exact Rates for San Francisco to San Antonio
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