155 miles · Est. 2.4 hours · Avg $2.60/mile · Gross $403
Day-Trip Economics
Fuel Estimate
$58
Based on avg diesel price
Toll Estimate
$0
Varies by route and state
Net After Costs
$345
Before your other costs
Lane Overview
155
Miles
$2.60
Avg rate/mile
$403
Avg gross rate
easy
Competition
San Antonio to Laredo southbound on I-35 is the export corridor to Mexico — the reverse of one of North America's most critical trade lanes. US-manufactured goods, industrial equipment, and consumer products head south toward Laredo's World Trade Bridge crossing into Mexico's maquiladora manufacturing zones. Easy difficulty reflects the strong demand from Mexican manufacturers for US-sourced raw materials and components — shippers need trucks and rates hold at $2.50–$2.70/mile.
I-35 south from San Antonio through Cotulla to Laredo is a long, flat, hot stretch of South Texas highway. Fuel up in San Antonio before departure — fuel options are sparse in the 155-mile run through Cotulla. Speed enforcement on I-35 south near Dilley and Encinal is active. The Border Patrol checkpoint at Cotulla on I-35 northbound inspects all commercial vehicles but southbound export traffic flows more freely. Laredo's bridge crossing documentation for Mexico-bound trucks requires extensive paperwork — use a licensed customs broker if you're unfamiliar with the export process.
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
Laredo to San Antonio
155 miles · $2.70/mile avg
Driver's Complete Guide
Laredo is the single busiest land port of entry on the US-Mexico border — more freight crosses here than anywhere else in the country. The San Antonio to Laredo southbound run is the domestic leg of that cross-border movement, and it's a lane where demand is genuine and rates hold because the Mexican manufacturing sector needs a constant supply of US raw materials and components. I've placed dozens of carriers on this corridor and the load availability is about as reliable as it gets in trucking.
US-manufactured goods, industrial equipment, and consumer products heading south to Laredo's bonded warehouses and crossing points into Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. The maquiladora manufacturing zones across the border are enormous consumers of US-sourced inputs — steel, chemicals, electronics components, machinery parts. Carriers here are typically delivering to one of several major warehouse complexes in Laredo's Foreign Trade Zone rather than crossing the border themselves. The actual Mexico crossing is handled by drayage operators certified for cross-border movement.
I-35 south from San Antonio is the only option — straight shot, 155 miles. Fuel up in San Antonio before you leave. Cotulla at the midpoint has fuel, but options are limited and prices can be higher. Dilley and Encinal on I-35 south are active speed enforcement zones — Texas DPS runs this corridor hard. The Border Patrol checkpoint north of Laredo on I-35 is northbound-focused, but southbound commercial vehicles may be stopped for export document verification. Have your BOL and any hazmat documentation ready. Laredo's industrial zone for bonded warehouses is concentrated near the international bridges — World Trade Bridge handles most commercial freight.
At $2.50–$2.70/mile, this is a strong rate for a 155-mile regional run. The Mexico trade-oriented freight demand keeps rates elevated. If your load is crossing into Mexico, the rate often includes a drayage handoff premium. Carriers with established relationships with Laredo customs brokers and warehouse operators get first call on premium loads.
Northbound from Laredo is one of the best returns in trucking — maquiladora-manufactured finished goods heading to US distribution. These loads pay $2.70–$3.00/mile and are consistently available. If you're running south to Laredo, you're essentially positioning for one of the strongest northbound lanes on the continent.
Do I need a FAST card or special documents to deliver to Laredo's Foreign Trade Zone?
For delivery to the US-side warehouses, no — standard commercial driver's license and DOT documents. If you're crossing into Mexico, that requires separate certification. Most San Antonio-to-Laredo loads stay US-side.
How should I handle the Border Patrol checkpoint on I-35 south of San Antonio near Cotulla?
There are northbound checkpoints that stop all commercial vehicles. Southbound export traffic flows more freely but you may be directed to stop. Have your BOL ready and answer questions straightforwardly. It's a quick process for legitimate loads.
Is Cotulla a viable fuel stop, or should I top off in San Antonio?
Always fuel in San Antonio before departure. Cotulla has fuel but prices run $0.15–$0.30/gallon higher than San Antonio chain stops. On a commercial vehicle, that adds up.
Dispatch Service
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