How container drayage works in San Antonio
Union Pacific's San Antonio Intermodal Terminal on the south side is the main rail ramp for South and Central Texas, linked to California, Chicago, Houston and the border at Laredo. Port San Antonio adds aerospace and logistics sites with rail and runway access.
- Rail ramp
- UP San Antonio Intermodal Terminal (SAIT)
- Industrial hub
- Port San Antonio, a former air base
- Counties
- Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe and Hays
- Regional runs
- Austin, Laredo and Houston
More about drayage in San Antonio
Union Pacific's San Antonio Intermodal Terminal (SAIT), on the city's south side, handles containers and trailers on UP's network linking San Antonio with Southern California, Chicago, Houston and the Mexican border at Laredo and Eagle Pass. It is the main rail ramp for South and Central Texas.
San Antonio also has Port San Antonio, a redeveloped former air base that hosts aerospace, defense and logistics companies, with rail access and an airport runway.
Local drayage carriers move containers between SAIT and warehouses and plants in Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe and Hays counties, and run regional moves to Austin, Laredo and Houston.
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Rail ramp
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Inland port
Railroads
Union Pacific · BNSF
Main highways
I-35 · I-10 · I-37 · I-410 · Loop 1604 · US-281
Container terminals and rail ramps in San Antonio
Where containers are picked up and returned in the San Antonio area.
Rail ramp
Inland port
San Antonio Intermodal Terminal (SAIT)
Rail ramp · Union Pacific
Union Pacific's South Texas ramp on the city's south side, linking San Antonio with California, Chicago, Houston and the Mexican border.
Port San Antonio
Inland port · Port San Antonio
Redeveloped former air base with aerospace, defense and logistics tenants, rail access and a runway.
Toyota, aerospace and manufacturing
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas, on the south side of San Antonio, builds trucks and hosts many on-site suppliers. Parts arrive from the US, Mexico and overseas, often on tight schedules. Aerospace and defense companies at Port San Antonio and Joint Base San Antonio import equipment and materials. Some shipments need secure handling. Food processing, healthcare and consumer goods companies also generate container freight.
Distribution along I-35 and I-10
San Antonio's warehouses cluster along I-35 north toward New Braunfels and Schertz, along I-10 east toward Seguin, and on the south and southeast sides near SAIT.
The I-35 corridor between San Antonio and Austin is one of the fastest-growing logistics regions in Texas, with new distribution centers serving the two metros. Traffic on I-35 can be heavy, especially between San Antonio and Austin.
Mexico trade and regional routes
San Antonio is about 155 miles from Laredo and 145 miles from Eagle Pass, both major border crossings. Many cross-border shipments pass through San Antonio for consolidation or distribution. Interstates 10, 35, 37 and 410 serve the metro, connecting it with Houston, Dallas, Corpus Christi and El Paso. Summer heat and occasional flash flooding affect operations, and carriers plan accordingly.
Toyota's south side complex
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas opened in San Antonio in the mid-2000s and builds full-size pickup trucks. A distinctive feature of the site is that many suppliers operate on the same campus, producing seats, frames and other components right next to the assembly line.
Even with on-site suppliers, the plant relies on inbound parts from across the US, Mexico and Asia. Containers arrive by rail at Union Pacific's San Antonio Intermodal Terminal or by truck from ports and border crossings, and drayage carriers deliver them on precise schedules. The Toyota complex has helped make San Antonio a significant automotive center and has attracted other manufacturers and logistics companies to the south side.
The I-35 corridor between San Antonio and Austin
The stretch of I-35 between San Antonio and Austin has become one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. New Braunfels, San Marcos, Kyle and Buda have added housing, retail and large distribution centers, while Austin's tech and manufacturing industries, including electric vehicle and semiconductor plants, generate demand for imported equipment and parts.
Drayage carriers based in San Antonio often serve this corridor, moving containers from the SAIT ramp to warehouses and plants north of the city. Traffic on I-35 can be heavy, and construction is common, so carriers plan routes carefully. As the two metros grow together, the corridor's logistics market is expected to keep expanding.
Common lanes out of San Antonio
Approximate one-way highway miles for the runs local carriers quote most often.
Toyota (south side)
Truck manufacturing and on-site suppliers.
15 mi
New Braunfels / Schertz
I-35 distribution corridor.
30 mi
Austin
Central Texas via I-35.
80 mi
Laredo
Mexican border via I-35.
155 mi
Houston
Port Houston via I-10.
200 mi
Dallas–Fort Worth
North Texas via I-35.
275 mi
Booking drayage in San Antonio: what to know
Local habits that change the price and timing of a move in San Antonio. Mention them when you ask for a quote.
Confirm SAIT routing
Make sure your container is billed to Union Pacific's San Antonio terminal.
Match Toyota schedules
Automotive deliveries need precise timing. Share plant details early.
Use cross-border specialists
Freight to and from Mexico needs bonded carriers and customs coordination.
Plan around I-35 traffic
I-35 between San Antonio and Austin can be congested. Allow extra time.
Drayage markets near San Antonio
Many carriers that serve San Antonio also run these nearby ports and rail ramps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about container drayage in San Antonio, TX.