We report an experimental investigation on the impact of the freezing rate on the cryo-deformation and cryo-damage of cementitious materials. Saturated, dried and air-entrained mortar specimens are subjected to laboratory freeze-thaw cycles under three freezing rates without moisture exchange with the environment. In addition to basic mechanical properties and pore distribution, the measurement is also effectuated for freezing expansion, residual deformation of the specimens in each cycle. From the results it is observed that a high freezing rate does augment the freezing expansion of material while the cryo-damage is more important for a low freezing rate. Accordingly, both the freezing rate and freezing duration should be taken into account for the cyro-damage extent of cementitious materials.