I35

Interstate 35 (I-35) is a major north–south highway that forms a central corridor in the United States. It runs from the U.S.–Mexico border in Laredo, Texas, to Duluth, Minnesota, covering a distance of roughly 1,569 miles (2,525 kilometers). The route passes through the central United States and serves as a key link between the Texas Triangle region and the Upper Midwest.

Route and communities served

I-35 traverses six states: Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota. Major cities along the corridor include Laredo, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas–Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Wichita, Kansas City, Des Moines, and the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area. The highway intersects or overlaps with several other major interstates, creating important freight and travel corridors across the country. In the Twin Cities region, I-35 splits into I-35E and I-35W for a stretch, before rejoining to continue north toward Duluth.

Northern and southern termini

The southern terminus of I-35 is at the U.S.–Mexico border in Laredo, Texas, where the route continues into Mexico as Federal Highway 85D. The northern terminus is in Duluth, Minnesota, ending the continuous north–south span of the Interstate.

Significance and characteristics

As a primary north–south route, I-35 is a major freight and passenger corridor, supporting long-distance trucking, regional commerce, and intercity travel. It is an integral part of the Interstate Highway System, with its numbering (odd, increasing from south to north) reflecting its general orientation. The highway has experienced notable congestion in several urban sections and has undergone numerous expansion and modernization projects to improve capacity and safety.