OTR Reefer Truck Driver Jobs
in California. Earn up to $110,000/yr
Join Astel LLC, a family-owned carrier with 18+ years of experience. Weekly pay. All miles paid, both loaded and deadhead. New Volvo trucks. A company that treats your experience like it matters.
Pay That Actually Delivers
Transparent, consistent pay. No gimmicks, no hidden deductions. California-based drivers gross $2,400–2,700+ per week on our Midwest–West lanes.
- ✅$0.80 per mile — flat rateAll miles paid, loaded and deadhead
- ✅Guaranteed minimum $2,400 per weekYour income floor, every week, for drivers with 1+ year of experience
- ✅$2,000 sign-on bonusFor drivers with 1+ year of CDL-A experience
- ✅Airfare reimbursement up to $200We cover your flight to orientation
- ✅Guaranteed pay raises twice in your first year with us. Our top drivers make 90 cents.
Astel, a company drivers want to stay in. Join a team where your experience is respected.
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Weekly Direct PayNo delays, no holdbacks, straight to your account
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All Miles PaidZIP-to-ZIP, loaded and deadhead miles alike
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No Deposit for Experienced DriversDeposit applies only with under 3 months of OTR experience
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Breakdown CoverageReplacement truck provided, so you keep rolling and earning
Why California Drivers Choose Astel LLC
Our owner is a former truck driver who built the company he wished existed. 18 years later, we're still growing and still treating drivers like people, not numbers.
California Leads as America's Reefer Capital
California grows and ships more farm goods than any other state, and nearly all of it moves in refrigerated trucks. Base yourself here and you're at the source of the most active reefer freight market in the country.
Major California Delivery Hubs
From the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the busiest container ports in the U.S., to the Central Valley's produce corridors, California runs freight non-stop. I-5, I-10, I-15, and I-80 connect every major market to the rest of the country.
California Climate & Why Reefer Freight Never Stops
California's climate is as varied as its freight, and that variety keeps demand for refrigerated transport running all year. The Central Valley bakes at over 105°F in summer, making temperature control a life-or-death necessity for perishable goods.
Spring: Strawberries and cherries peak alongside early vegetable harvests
in the Salinas Valley and San Joaquin. Reefer demand surges.
Summer: Record heat across the Central Valley means
every produce load requires continuous refrigeration monitoring.
Experienced reefer drivers are premium hires.
Fall & Winter: Citrus and avocado harvests keep the lanes
full through winter vegetable season. California ships produce to all 48 states year-round.
This market never truly goes quiet.
Your California-to-Midwest & West Lanes with Astel
Astel's corridors run West ↔ Midwest and keep expanding. California drivers load in Los Angeles, Fresno, Stockton, and Sacramento, then head east across I-10, I-40, and I-80 into Chicago, Denver, Kansas City, and the full Midwest network. We're growing, so drivers must be ready to run all 48 contiguous states.
California Freight by the Numbers
The scale of California's freight market puts every other state in perspective.
California CDL Class A Requirements
Already hold your California CDL-A? You're ready to apply right now. Not licensed in California yet? Here's exactly what the California Department of Motor Vehicles (CA DMV) requires.
| Requirement | Details | Status for Astel Position |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21+ years for interstate (OTR) driving, required for all 48-state runs | Required |
| Valid CA Driver's License | Current, non-suspended California Class C driver's license | Required |
| Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) | Must hold CLP for minimum 14 days before the skills test | Pre-CDL Step |
| ELDT Training | Entry-Level Driver Training from an FMCSA-registered provider | Pre-CDL Step |
| DOT Medical Exam | Medical Examiner's Certificate confirming fitness to operate a CMV | Required |
| Knowledge Tests | CA General Knowledge, Combination Vehicles (Class A), Air Brakes | Pass to Obtain CDL |
| Skills Test | Pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, on-road driving evaluation | Pass to Obtain CDL |
| Reefer / Cargo Tank Endorsement | No special endorsement required for standard reefer freight in California | Not Required |
| Clean Record | No DUI, no at-fault accidents, no serious traffic violations on record | Required by Astel |
| OTR Experience | 1+ year over-the-road experience preferred | Preferred by Astel |
Position Details
Driver Responsibilities
- Safely operate a CMV in full compliance with all DOT regulations
- Deliver reefer freight on time across West, Midwest, and all 48 contiguous states as assigned
- Maintain accurate HOS logs and complete trip documentation
- Handle BOLs and receipts, and complete the rest of the required paperwork
- Communicate clearly and professionally with dispatch throughout each run
- Monitor and maintain proper reefer temperatures throughout every load
- Perform basic on-road troubleshooting and complete pre/post-trip inspections
Broken Down in California. We've Got You Covered
Stuck on I-5 through the Central Valley or on I-10 outside of LA, Astel dispatches a replacement truck so you keep rolling. Your paycheck never takes a hit. Zero downtime stress, guaranteed.
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Real Reviews from Real Partners
Here are just a few of what our partners have to say about ASTEL:
