155 miles · Est. 2.4 hours · Avg $2.70/mile · Gross $419
Day-Trip Economics
Fuel Estimate
$58
Based on avg diesel price
Toll Estimate
$0
Varies by route and state
Net After Costs
$361
Before your other costs
Lane Overview
155
Miles
$2.70
Avg rate/mile
$419
Avg gross rate
easy
Competition
Laredo to San Antonio on I-35 north is the first leg of one of North America's most important freight corridors. Laredo handles more US-Mexico trade volume than any other land port — over $300 billion in annual trade. Import goods from Mexican maquiladoras, consumer electronics assembled in Monterrey, and auto parts from Tier 1 suppliers in Saltillo cross daily and immediately head north toward San Antonio's distribution infrastructure.
This is an easy lane because freight demand consistently exceeds available trucks on the northbound side. Rates at $2.60–$2.80/mile reflect the premium importers pay to move time-sensitive cross-border goods. The Border Patrol checkpoint on I-35 north of Laredo at Cotulla is mandatory for all commercial vehicles — have your load documentation, USDOT number, and proof of inspection readily accessible. No tolls. Return San Antonio to Laredo (Lane 83) brings US-manufactured export goods southbound toward Mexican manufacturing facilities.
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.
What Moves on This Lane
Common Equipment
Return Freight
San Antonio to Laredo
155 miles · $2.60/mile avg
Similar Routes
Driver's Complete Guide
Laredo is a different world from most US freight markets. The #1 US-Mexico land border crossing by trade value, and it's not close. Over $300 billion in annual trade crosses here — Toyota Tundra parts from Nuevo León, LG appliances from Monterrey maquiladoras, auto wiring harnesses, medical devices, flat panel displays. When it clears customs and hits I-35 northbound, it needs to move fast. That's the Laredo to San Antonio lane, and when you understand what's actually crossing, the easy rating and $2.70/mile average make complete sense.
Toyota's Tundra pickup plant in San Antonio gets a significant portion of its components from Mexican suppliers through Laredo — wiring harnesses, instrument panels, seats, and stamped parts come up I-35 on a just-in-time schedule. That alone generates consistent flatbed and dry-van traffic. Consumer electronics assembled in Monterrey — TVs, appliances, computer components — cross bonded or already cleared by customs brokers and head to San Antonio's distribution infrastructure. Medical devices from companies like Medtronic's Monterrey facilities add high-value, temperature-sensitive freight. Produce from northern Mexico's farm regions adds reefer demand seasonally.
I-35 north from Laredo is the only road. The Border Patrol checkpoint at Cotulla, roughly 65 miles north of Laredo, is mandatory for all commercial vehicles. Have your bill of lading, USDOT number, proof of insurance, and — for bonded loads — the bond paperwork immediately accessible. FAST card holders move through the commercial lane significantly faster than non-FAST operators; if you run Laredo regularly, the FAST Card enrollment is worth every minute of the application process. No tolls on this route. San Antonio comes up fast at 155 miles — most freight delivers to the southeast and south industrial corridors near Toyota's plant or the Southside distribution zone.
Northbound from Laredo is where the money is — the rate premium reflects genuine scarcity of trucks at a border crossing where volume is enormous and local carrier supply doesn't fully meet demand. FAST Card holders command an additional premium because they move through customs faster, which importers value for time-sensitive shipments. Direct relationships with customs brokers in Laredo are the access point to the best loads.
San Antonio back to Laredo is the weak direction — most trucks run empty south to reload. The return rate for export goods heading into Mexico is thin because the southbound volume is much lower than northbound. If you find a solid southbound load, take it; if not, deadheading 155 miles to reload northbound is often the better economic decision given how well northbound pays.
Do I need special paperwork to haul loads that originated in Mexico?
For loads already customs-cleared before you pick up, your standard BOL and carrier documentation is sufficient. For in-bond loads (not yet cleared), you need bonded carrier authority and specific bond-following documentation. Most Laredo freight brokers and shippers will specify which situation you're dealing with before you accept the load.
Is the FAST Card worth applying for if I run Laredo regularly?
Absolutely. FAST Card pre-screens commercial drivers and allows use of dedicated FAST lanes at the border crossing and at the Cotulla checkpoint. The application process involves background checks and takes weeks, but the time savings on every run add up quickly if Laredo is part of your regular operation.
What happens at the Cotulla checkpoint if the load hasn't fully cleared customs?
CBP can hold your load at Cotulla for further inspection, which can mean hours of delay. This is why knowing the customs status of your load before you leave Laredo is critical. Bonded loads follow strict routing requirements — confirm with your broker or the customs broker exactly what your obligations are before departure.
Dispatch Service
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