I-35

I-35 Trucking Jobs — NAFTA Highway

1,568 miles across 6 states • 25,000+ trucks/day (Laredo crossing handles 14,000+ trucks daily; DFW segments exceed 40,000) daily • $0.55 - $0.75/mile

Total Miles

1,568

Avg Pay

$0.55 - $0.75/mile

Daily Trucks

25,000+

Best Time

Year-round for cross-border freight

I-35 Route Overview

Interstate 35 runs 1,568 miles from Laredo, Texas on the Mexican border to Duluth, Minnesota on Lake Superior, making it the most important north-south trade corridor in the central United States. Known as the 'NAFTA Highway,' I-35 is the primary artery for goods moving between Mexico, the US, and Canada under the USMCA trade agreement. Laredo is the busiest land port in the Western Hemisphere by trade value — over $250 billion in goods cross the border here annually, and nearly all of it moves by truck on I-35. The corridor passes through San Antonio, Austin, and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex (where it splits into I-35E and I-35W), then continues through Oklahoma City, Wichita, Kansas City, Des Moines, and Minneapolis before terminating in Duluth. The Texas segment is the most critical for freight, handling cross-border trade, petrochemicals, and the booming Texas Triangle economy. Kansas City's position at the I-35/I-70 crossroads makes it a major intermodal and distribution hub. The corridor sees heavy grain and agricultural freight northbound from the Plains states and consumer goods southbound toward Mexico.

States Along I-35

Texas (TX)Oklahoma (OK)Kansas (KS)Missouri (MO)Iowa (IA)Minnesota (MN)

Major Cities on I-35

1Laredo, TX
2San Antonio, TX
3Austin, TX
4Waco, TX
5Dallas, TX
6Fort Worth, TX
7Denton, TX
8Gainesville, TX
9Oklahoma City, OK
10Wichita, KS
11Emporia, KS
12Kansas City, MO
13Des Moines, IA
14Ames, IA
15Albert Lea, MN
16Minneapolis, MN
17Duluth, MN

Top Freight Types on I-35

These are the most common types of freight hauled by trucks on the I-35 NAFTA Highway corridor.

1
Cross-border goods (Mexico/USMCA)
2
Automotive parts (Mexico-assembled vehicles)
3
Agricultural products (grain, cattle)
4
Petroleum and petrochemicals
5
Consumer electronics (Mexico imports)
6
Refrigerated produce

Top Carriers on I-35

These major trucking companies have significant operations on the I-35 NAFTA Highway corridor.

Heartland Express
KLLM Transport
Celadon Group
Covenant Transport
Marten Transport

Famous Truck Stops on I-35

These well-known truck stops serve as key rest and refueling points along the I-35 NAFTA Highway corridor.

Buc-ee's — New Braunfels, TX (between San Antonio and Austin)
Love's Travel Stop — Denton, TX
Pilot Travel Center — Emporia, KS
Flying J — Kansas City, MO
Petro Stopping Center — Oklahoma City, OK

Challenges and Tips for I-35

Every corridor has its challenges. Here's what experienced drivers watch out for on I-35.

Laredo border crossing delays can add 4-8 hours to transit time — customs inspections and broker paperwork are time-intensive
I-35 splits into I-35E and I-35W through Dallas-Fort Worth, creating confusion and heavy congestion
Severe ice storms across Oklahoma and Kansas in winter can close the highway for extended periods
Tornado alley runs directly through the I-35 corridor from Texas to Iowa (peak Apr-Jun)

I-35 Pay and Timing

Average Pay on This Corridor

$0.55 - $0.75/mile

Best Time to Run

Year-round for cross-border freight; agricultural peaks in harvest season (Sep-Nov); avoid Oklahoma/Kansas in February ice storms

Daily Truck Volume

25,000+ trucks/day (Laredo crossing handles 14,000+ trucks daily; DFW segments exceed 40,000)

Apply for I-35 JobsBrowse All Jobs

Frequently Asked Questions About I-35 Trucking

How much do I-35 trucking jobs pay?

I-35 corridor trucking jobs pay between $0.55 and $0.75 per mile. Cross-border freight between Laredo and the DFW metroplex commands premium rates, with bilingual drivers earning an additional 10-15% for managing customs paperwork and Mexican broker communications. Dedicated Laredo runs can pay $1,500-$2,000 per round trip. Kansas City and DFW-based regional drivers earn $65,000-$85,000 annually.

What is cross-border trucking like on I-35?

Cross-border trucking on I-35 through Laredo involves navigating US Customs and Border Protection inspections, working with customs brokers, and complying with C-TPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) requirements. Wait times at the World Trade Bridge or Colombia Solidarity Bridge can range from 1-8 hours depending on the day and time. Drivers need FAST cards for expedited crossing. Many carriers use transfer facilities where Mexican trailers are handed off to US drivers at the border.

Why do they call I-35 the NAFTA Highway?

I-35 earned the nickname 'NAFTA Highway' because it's the primary north-south corridor for trade between Mexico, the US, and Canada under what is now the USMCA trade agreement. Laredo, TX — the southern terminus of I-35 — handles more truck-borne international trade than any other land port in the Western Hemisphere, processing over $250 billion in goods annually. The corridor connects this border trade directly to the US heartland and up to the Canadian border via Minneapolis.

What freight moves on I-35?

I-35 carries enormous volumes of cross-border freight including automotive parts from Mexican assembly plants, consumer electronics, fresh produce, and manufactured goods. Northbound from Laredo, you'll find Mexican-assembled vehicles and auto parts heading to US dealers and plants. Southbound carries raw materials, machinery, and US-manufactured goods. The middle segments carry grain, cattle, and agricultural products from the Plains states.

Is I-35 dangerous for trucks?

I-35 has specific danger zones. The DFW metroplex, where the highway splits into I-35E and I-35W, sees intense congestion and frequent accidents. Oklahoma's ice storms create treacherous conditions, and the flat terrain between Wichita and Oklahoma City generates severe crosswinds. The Laredo segment has heavy truck traffic with many drivers unfamiliar with US roads. Spring tornado season (April-June) affects the entire central section from Texas to Iowa.