Encinal and I-35 north of Laredo
Encinal is a small town in La Salle County, right on I-35 about 38 miles north of the interstate’s starting point in downtown Laredo. For northbound trucks, it’s the first town after the Border Patrol checkpoint at mile marker 29, and a common place to fuel, eat, or take a break after clearing it.
The town has two exits. Exit 38 is the business route north into Encinal. Exit 39 connects to SH-44 and the other end of the business route, and it’s where the two truck stops are: a Love’s Travel Stop and a Road Ranger travel center. SH-44 heads east from Encinal toward Freer.
The stretch between Laredo and Encinal
Once I-35 leaves Laredo, the country opens up fast. North of the US-83 split at Exit 18, the exits are mostly ranch interchanges — Webb at Exit 22, SH-255 (Camino Colombia) at Exit 24, Callaghan at Exit 27, and San Roman at Exit 32. There isn’t much to walk to if a truck quits out here.
Northbound traffic can also back up at the checkpoint at mile marker 29. Long waits in summer heat mean long idles, hot engines, and hard-working A/C — the same conditions that bring out overheating and electrical failures a few miles later.
Breakdowns on I-35 near Encinal
Most calls around Encinal are highway calls, and they tend to fall into a few groups:
- Tire failures on long, hot, sustained highway runs.
- Overheating after checkpoint traffic or a heavy load in summer.
- DEF and aftertreatment derates that force the driver off at the next exit.
- Air leaks and brake problems discovered at a fuel stop.
If you can make it safely to Exit 39, a truck stop lot is a much better place to work on a truck than the shoulder. If you can’t, stop as far off the road as possible and give dispatch your direction of travel and the nearest mile marker.
Common calls around Encinal
- Mobile Tire Service — blowouts on I-35 north and south of town.
- Cooling System & Radiator Repair — overheating after checkpoint traffic in summer.
- DPF, DEF & Regen Service — derates that force trucks off at Exits 38 and 39.
- Emergency Roadside Assistance — breakdowns on the open stretch between Laredo and Encinal.
- Jump Start & Fuel Delivery — trucks that ran low on fuel before reaching a stop.
Roads we cover near Encinal
- I-35 from the Camino Colombia interchange (Exit 24) through Encinal (Exits 38–39)
- I-35 north of Encinal past the Caiman Creek interchange (Exit 48) toward Artesia Wells (Exit 56)
- SH-44 east from Encinal toward Freer
- The Border Patrol checkpoint area at I-35 mile marker 29
- Truck stop lots at Exit 39
Nearby service areas
Encinal mobile truck repair FAQ
Do you come out to Encinal?
Yes. Encinal and the I-35 corridor between Laredo and Cotulla are part of our service area. Tell dispatch your direction, mile marker, or truck stop.
Which truck stops are in Encinal?
Love’s Travel Stop and Road Ranger, both at I-35 Exit 39.
Where is the Border Patrol checkpoint on I-35?
At mile marker 29 north of Laredo. It inspects northbound traffic.
I broke down just after the checkpoint. What should I do?
Get as far onto the shoulder as you can, hazards on, warning devices out, and call with your direction and the nearest mile marker. If you’re still in the checkpoint area, follow the directions of the officers on scene.