The main freight route north
Interstate 35 begins in downtown Laredo, near the international bridges, and runs north toward San Antonio and the rest of the country. For freight crossing at Laredo, it’s the main road out. Trucks leaving the World Trade Bridge reach it on the I-69W / Loop 20 freeway at Exit 8, and traffic from the Colombia Solidarity Bridge can join it at Exit 24 by way of SH-255 (Camino Colombia).
Inside Laredo, I-35 is an urban freeway lined with truck stops, warehouses, and industrial parks. North of the US-83 split at Exit 18, it quickly becomes open ranch country with long gaps between towns. That combination — heavy city truck traffic, then long empty miles — shapes the breakdowns we see on it.
I-35 exit reference: Laredo to Cotulla
Exit numbers below follow current I-35 signage. Some trucker apps and directories still use older numbers, so give dispatch the name on the sign or the business you’re at, too.
| Exit | Destination | Notes for drivers |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Business US-59 – Freer, Corpus Christi | Downtown Laredo |
| 3A | Calton Road, Hillside Road | Central Laredo |
| 3B | I-35 Business / Mann Road | Central Laredo |
| 4 | Del Mar Boulevard, Santa Maria Avenue | North Laredo |
| 4A | FM 1472 (Mines Road) | South end of Mines Road — yards and warehouses to the northwest |
| 5 | San Isidro Parkway | North Laredo |
| 8A | I-69W / US-59 west – World Trade Bridge | Commercial bridge traffic |
| 8B | US-59 east / Loop 20 east | Toward the airport and east Laredo |
| 9 | Killam Industrial Boulevard | Warehouse district |
| 12A | Port Laredo | Industrial and warehouse area |
| 12B | Carrier Drive, Uniroyal Drive | Pilot, Flying J, and TA truck stops (listed as Exit 13 in many apps) |
| 18 | US-83 north | US-83 splits off toward Carrizo Springs |
| 22 | Webb Interchange | Rural |
| 24 | SH-255 (Camino Colombia) | Route to the Colombia Solidarity Bridge |
| 27 | Callaghan Interchange | Rural |
| MM 29 | Border Patrol checkpoint | Northbound traffic inspected |
| 32 | San Roman Interchange | Rural |
| 38 | I-35 Business north – Encinal | Encinal |
| 39 | SH-44 – Encinal, Freer | Love’s and Road Ranger truck stops |
| 48 | Caiman Creek Interchange | Rural |
| 56 | FM 133 – Artesia Wells, Catarina | Rural |
| 65 | I-35 Business north – Cotulla | Love’s Travel Stop |
| 67 | FM 468 – Big Wells | Cotulla area |
| 69 | I-35 Business south – Cotulla | North end of Cotulla |
Where trucks break down on I-35
- The Exit 8 interchange. I-35 meets I-69W, US-59, and Loop 20 at a stack interchange that funnels World Trade Bridge traffic onto the interstate. Heavy merging and braking make it a hot spot for brake, air, and overheating problems.
- The Uniroyal Drive truck stops. Trucks parked overnight at Pilot, Flying J, and TA are prime candidates for dead batteries, air systems that bled down overnight, and warning lights found on the morning pre-trip.
- The checkpoint at mile marker 29. Northbound trucks can wait in line here, and long idles in the heat bring out cooling system, A/C, and electrical failures.
- The open stretch to Encinal. Past the Laredo city limits there’s little besides ranch interchanges until Encinal. A blown tire or a derate here means waiting on the shoulder.
- North toward Cotulla. Long, hot runs at highway speed stress tires and cooling systems, especially in summer.
Safe places to stop
If the truck can still move safely, getting off the interstate beats the shoulder every time. Northbound, the Uniroyal Drive truck stops are the last big cluster before open highway, followed by Love’s and Road Ranger at Encinal’s Exit 39 and Love’s at Cotulla’s Exit 65. Southbound, the same stops work in reverse, and the Laredo exits give you plenty of options once you’re back in town.
If the truck can’t move, stop as far right as possible, clear of the travel lane. Avoid stopping on a bridge, in an interchange merge, or just past a curve or rise where approaching traffic can’t see you.
Summer on I-35
From roughly May through September, heat is the biggest factor on this road. Tires run hotter, cooling systems work harder, batteries fail faster, and A/C and reefer units run nonstop. Check tire pressures cold before you leave Laredo, look at coolant level and belts, and don’t ignore a temperature gauge that creeps up in checkpoint traffic. Our summer heat guide covers more.
What to do while you wait
Turn on your hazard flashers, set out warning triangles, and stay out of the travel lanes. If it’s safe, wait away from the truck — behind a guardrail or well off the road — especially at night. In summer heat, keep water with you and find shade if you can. Our breakdown guide covers triangle placement and what to tell dispatch.
Services most often needed on I-35
- Emergency Roadside Assistance
- Mobile Tire Service
- Cooling System & Radiator Repair
- DPF, DEF & Regen Service
- Jump Start & Fuel Delivery
- Air Brake Service
- Truck A/C Repair
- Electrical & Charging Repair
Towns along this route
I-35 roadside repair FAQ
Where does I-35 start in Laredo?
I-35 begins in downtown Laredo near the international bridges, at US-83 and Victoria Street, and runs north toward San Antonio.
What exit are the Laredo truck stops on?
Pilot, Flying J, and TA are at the Carrier Drive / Uniroyal Drive exit, signed as Exit 12B. Many trucker apps and directories still list it as Exit 13.
Where is the Border Patrol checkpoint on I-35?
At mile marker 29 north of Laredo. It inspects northbound traffic.
Which exit goes to the World Trade Bridge?
Exit 8A connects I-35 to I-69W and US-59 west toward the World Trade Bridge.
Do you cover I-35 all the way to Cotulla?
Yes. Our I-35 coverage runs from downtown Laredo through Encinal to Cotulla. Call with your direction of travel and nearest mile marker.