278 miles · Est. 4.0 hours · Avg $2.45/mile · Gross $681
Day-Trip Economics
Fuel Estimate
$103
Based on avg diesel price
Toll Estimate
$8
Varies by route and state
Net After Costs
$570
Before your other costs
Lane Overview
278
Miles
$2.45
Avg rate/mile
$681
Avg gross rate
competitive
Competition
Dallas to San Antonio on I-35 is a straightforward Texas intrastate run with genuine variety in freight. Consumer goods flow south from Dallas distribution centers, but the real differentiator here is San Antonio's massive military presence — Fort Sam Houston, Randolph AFB, and Lackland AFB generate consistent flatbed and step-deck demand for military equipment, vehicles, and supplies. Industrial supplies round out the mix.
I-35 through the Austin metro is one of the most congested stretches in Texas — avoid Austin between 7–9am and 4–7pm, especially around the I-35/SH-71 interchange. Competitive rates ($2.35–$2.50/mile) reflect the high carrier density on this popular intrastate lane. Tolls through the Central Texas Turnpike system add up to $8. Return freight San Antonio to Dallas (Lane 38 reverse equivalent) includes petrochemical products and consumer goods — the lane runs both ways reliably.
Driver Tip
Short lane, fast turn. Margin on short runs is unforgiving. Use our Load Profitability Calculator to verify this load covers your costs before accepting.
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Driver's Complete Guide
Dallas to San Antonio is the I-35 backbone of Texas freight and it's a lane I have a complicated relationship with as a dispatcher. The freight is always there. The rates are decent. But so is every other carrier in Texas, which is why competitive difficulty is real on this corridor. It's not a bad lane — it's just not one where you walk up to the load board and name your price. You need relationships or you run at market rate, which is fine if your cost structure supports it.
Consumer goods from Dallas distribution centers flow south to San Antonio's 2.5 million consumers and the broader South Texas market. But the freight differentiator on this lane is San Antonio's military presence. Lackland AFB, Fort Sam Houston, and Randolph AFB collectively make San Antonio one of the largest military bases clusters in the country, generating consistent flatbed and step-deck demand for vehicles, equipment, and supplies. Government contract freight pays reliably, often at above-spot rates, and has predictable volumes. Industrial supplies for San Antonio's manufacturing and healthcare sectors round out the dry-van category.
I-35 south from Dallas through Waco and Temple into the Austin metro, then continuing south to San Antonio. The Austin section of I-35 is the lane's defining challenge. The I-35 corridor through Austin from Round Rock south to San Marcos is consistently one of the most congested stretches of interstate in Texas — under construction for what seems like a permanent basis. Morning rush (7–9am) and afternoon rush (4–7pm), especially around the US-183/I-35 interchange and the SH-71 connector, can add 45–75 minutes. Friday afternoons are particularly bad. Mid-week, mid-day passages through Austin take about 45 minutes for the metro section.
Military contract freight is the premium category on this lane. Carriers with HAZMAT endorsements and clean safety records can qualify for military logistics contracts through the DPS (Defense Personal Property System) and its approved carriers — that freight pays $0.15–$0.25/mile above spot market and is consistent. For civilian loads, Tuesday and Wednesday mid-week loads run the best rates at $2.45–$2.55/mile. Direct relationships with Dallas-area distribution centers shipping to San Antonio retail outperform load board rates over time.
San Antonio to Dallas runs consistent return freight. San Antonio's petrochemical feeder market, healthcare distribution (San Antonio has a large medical complex), and consumer goods heading north all provide volume. Rates run $2.40–$2.50/mile on the return. The round trip at 556 miles can be done as an overnight run with a restart.
How do I time the Austin section to avoid the worst congestion?
Clear the I-35 Austin metro — specifically the stretch from Round Rock to San Marcos — before 7am, between 10am and 3pm, or after 7pm. Friday afternoons are worst. There is no alternate route that saves significant time — I-35 is the only practical routing through Central Texas.
Is military freight on this lane accessible to small carriers?
Yes, but it requires HAZMAT endorsement if carrying military supplies, a clean safety record, and enrollment in the DOD's approved carrier programs. The contracting process takes time but the freight rates and consistency are worth it for carriers who specialize in this market.
What tolls should I budget for on this lane?
The Central Texas Turnpike system (SH-130, SH-45, Loop 1) adds up to $8 if you take toll roads to bypass parts of Austin. I-35 itself is not tolled — the toll option is bypass routes around the Austin congestion. For some drivers, paying $8 in tolls to save 30 minutes of Austin traffic is worth it.
Dispatch Service
TruckLeap dispatches dry van, flatbed and step deck carriers on lanes like this — 6% fee, no contracts.
Our dispatch team finds Dallas to San Antonio loads daily and negotiates top-of-market rates. Apply free.
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