Shipping Heavy Equipment from San Antonio to Houston, TX

Route Overview: San Antonio to Houston via I-10

The primary corridor for heavy equipment transport between San Antonio and Houston is Interstate 10 East, which accounts for roughly 166 of the 197-mile journey. The route passes through Seguin, Luling, and Schulenburg before entering the Houston metro area. Transit time for a standard heavy-haul move on this lane is typically 4–6 hours of driving, with most loads completing delivery within one business day of pickup.

The midpoint city of Schulenburg, TX, sits approximately 97 miles from both endpoints and serves as a common fuel and inspection stop for heavy-haul carriers. The flat terrain along I-10 through the Texas coastal plain makes this one of the more straightforward oversize corridors in the state, with minimal bridge height restrictions and consistent road surface quality.

Permit Requirements for Texas Heavy Haul

Texas issues oversize and overweight permits through TxDOT. Federal thresholds apply as a baseline: 80,000 lbs gross vehicle weight, 8.5 ft width, and 13.5 ft height. Texas-specific rules allow up to 14 ft height on many routes without a special permit, and single-trip permits for loads up to 125,000 lbs are routinely issued for the I-10 corridor.

• Width over 8.5 ft: Requires a Texas oversize permit; loads over 14 ft wide require pilot cars front and rear
• Height over 14 ft: Requires a route survey and may require utility line coordination
• Weight over 80,000 lbs GVW: Overweight permit required; axle spacing and bridge formula apply
• Travel restrictions: Oversize loads in Texas generally cannot move during nighttime hours or on major holidays without special authorization

Trailer Selection for This Lane

The right trailer depends on your equipment's dimensions and weight. For the San Antonio–Houston lane, the most common trailer types are:

• Lowboy / RGN (Removable Gooseneck): Best for tall equipment like excavators, dozers, and motor graders. The RGN's detachable gooseneck allows ground-level drive-on loading, eliminating the need for a crane or ramps.
• Step-deck (Drop-deck): Suitable for equipment that is over-height on a standard flatbed but doesn't require the full well depth of a lowboy. Common for skid steers, compact track loaders, and smaller wheel loaders.
• Standard flatbed: Used for equipment that fits within legal height limits (under 8.5 ft loaded) and weighs under 48,000 lbs on the trailer.

Common Equipment Moved on This Lane

The San Antonio–Houston corridor sees heavy traffic from the construction, oil & gas, and agricultural sectors. Frequently shipped equipment includes excavators (20–50 ton class), bulldozers, motor graders, skid steers, telehandlers, forklifts, and generators. Auction buyers from Ritchie Bros and IronPlanet facilities in the San Antonio area regularly use this lane to move purchases to Houston-area job sites or export terminals at the Port of Houston.

Cost Factors for This Move

Pricing on the San Antonio–Houston lane is influenced by fuel costs, permit fees, trailer type, and load complexity. At 197 miles, this is a relatively short haul, which means base rates are lower than long-distance moves but permit and mobilization costs represent a larger share of the total. Expect to pay more for loads requiring pilot cars, night travel waivers, or crane-assisted loading. Providing accurate dimensions and weight before quoting prevents last-minute re-rates.

Get a Quote from IronHaul Logistics

IronHaul Logistics specializes in heavy equipment transport across Texas and nationwide. For a fast, accurate quote on your San Antonio to Houston move, visit our quote form online, call us at (208) 495-2260, or email [email protected]. We handle permits, pilot cars, and scheduling so you can focus on your project.