Autonomous Trucks Run Daily Freight Routes on Texas' I-35 Corridor

Ryder and International Motors launch pilot program testing self-driving trucks in real-world conditions along key trade route

Apr. 4, 2026 at 6:49pm

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Autonomous trucks are running daily freight routes out of Laredo, Texas along the I-35 corridor as part of a pilot program launched by logistics company Ryder and truck manufacturer International Motors. The roughly 600-mile route between Laredo and Temple follows one of the busiest trade corridors in Texas, serving as a key artery for cross-border commerce and making it a practical testing ground for autonomous trucking systems.

Why it matters

The Laredo to Temple corridor is an ideal environment to validate autonomous trucking technology, with high traffic, established infrastructure, and long, predictable routes. Successful integration of self-driving trucks into this active logistics network could pave the way for wider adoption of autonomous freight transportation along major highway corridors in Texas and the southern United States.

The details

The pilot program places factory-built autonomous trucks into active freight operations, allowing Ryder and International Motors to evaluate the performance of the technology in real-world conditions. The trucks handle about 92% of the driving using a system powered by AI, cameras, radar, and lidar sensors, with autonomous driving software developed by PlusAI. A human safety driver remains in the cab at all times to monitor the vehicle and take control if needed. Unlike earlier testing models, the trucks operate using existing Ryder facilities without dedicated autonomous terminals and focus on point-to-point freight movement between established locations.

  • The pilot program was launched in April 2026.
  • The roughly 600-mile route between Laredo and Temple has been in use since the start of the program.

The players

Ryder

A logistics company that is partnering with International Motors on the autonomous trucking pilot program.

International Motors

A truck manufacturer that is collaborating with Ryder on the autonomous trucking pilot program.

PlusAI

The company that developed the autonomous driving software used in the trucks for the pilot program.

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What they’re saying

“Operating an autonomous vehicle in an active logistics network allows us to validate the technology where it matters most — on a real lane, moving real freight, for a real customer.”

— Seth deVlugt, Senior Director of RyderVentures and New Product Strategy at Ryder

“We're focused on integrating autonomous technology into existing operations without adding complexity.”

— James Cooper, Head of Autonomous Solutions at International Motors

What’s next

The pilot program is part of a broader push across the freight industry to move autonomous technology from limited trials into regular use, particularly along major highway corridors in Texas and the southern United States. As more data is collected, the performance and capabilities of the autonomous driving system are expected to improve through software updates.

The takeaway

The Laredo to Temple corridor's high traffic, established infrastructure, and predictable routes make it an ideal testing ground for autonomous trucking technology. Successful integration of self-driving trucks into this active logistics network could accelerate the adoption of autonomous freight transportation along major highways in the region, improving efficiency and safety.