OTR Reefer Truck Driver Jobs
in Florida. Earn up to $110,000/yr
Join Astel LLC, a family-owned carrier with 18+ years of experience. Weekly pay. All miles paid, loaded and deadhead. New Volvo trucks. Real respect on every mile. Astel is a company drivers want to stay in.
Pay That Actually Delivers
Transparent, consistent pay. No gimmicks, no hidden deductions. Florida-based drivers gross $2,400–2,700+ per week on our Midwest–West lanes.
- ✅$0.80 per mile — flat rateAll miles paid: loaded miles and deadhead alike
- ✅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 Pay No delays, no holdbacks, straight to your account
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All Miles PaidZIP-to-ZIP: loaded miles count the same as deadhead
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No Deposit for Experienced DriversDeposit applies only with under 3 months of OTR experience
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Breakdown Coverage Replacement truck provided, so you keep rolling and earning
Why Florida 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.
Florida Runs the Southeast Reefer Corridor
Florida is the southeastern gateway of U.S. reefer freight. Year-round produce seasons, one of the nation's fastest-growing populations, and a coastline full of ports keep the demand for refrigerated transport steady here.
Major Florida Delivery Hubs
Florida's highway network spans I-95 along the East Coast, I-75 cutting through the interior, and I-10 connecting the Panhandle to the rest of the South. Lakeland is the state's largest refrigerated freight market, while Miami, Jacksonville, and Tampa serve as the top distribution gateways for the entire Southeast region.
Florida Climate and Why Reefer Drivers Stay Busy All Year
Florida's subtropical climate brings heat, humidity, and a hurricane season that runs June through November. That makes temperature-controlled freight a non-negotiable, not an option. Average summer temps exceed 90°F with near-100% humidity, meaning perishable goods cannot survive transit without refrigeration.
Winter (Dec–Mar): Florida's peak produce season.
Lakeland, the state's largest refrigerated freight market, sees major surges in reefer load posts
as tomatoes, strawberries, and citrus move north to feed the entire country.
Spring & Summer: Tropical heat locks in year-round demand.
Pharmaceutical freight, seafood from Gulf ports, and
grocery replenishment for Florida's 22 million residents
keep reefer lanes running at full capacity.
Hurricane Season: Pre-storm and post-storm freight surges
create sudden demand spikes. Experienced OTR drivers who know
Florida roads are invaluable in these windows.
Your Florida-to-Midwest & West Lanes with Astel
Astel's corridors run Southeast ↔ Midwest ↔ West and continue to expand. Florida drivers load in Miami, Jacksonville, Lakeland, and Tampa, then head north on I-75 and I-95 into Atlanta, Chicago, and across the full Midwest network. We're growing, so drivers must be ready to run all 48 contiguous states.
Florida Freight by the Numbers
Florida's freight market is one of the most distinct in the country. High consumer demand, year-round produce, and a booming population make it a steady lane for experienced reefer drivers.
Florida CDL Class A Requirements
Already hold your Florida CDL-A? You're ready to apply right now. Not licensed in Florida yet? Here's exactly what the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) requires.
| Requirement | Details | Status for Astel Position |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18+ for intrastate driving within Florida only. 21+ required for interstate OTR driving across state lines | 21+ Required (OTR) |
| Valid FL Driver's License | Current, non-suspended Florida Class E driver's license held for more than 6 consecutive months | Required |
| Proof of FL Residency | Two proofs of Florida residential address in your name required: lease agreement, mortgage, deed, or voter registration | Required |
| Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) | Must hold CLP for minimum 14 days before the skills test. Pass knowledge exams based on the Florida CDL Handbook | Pre-CDL Step |
| ELDT Training | Federal regulations require every new Class A CDL applicant to complete approved 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. As of December 2025, certificates are submitted electronically by the medical provider directly to FMCSA | Required |
| Knowledge Tests | FL General Knowledge, Combination Vehicles (Class A), Air Brakes, all based on the Florida CDL Handbook | Pass to Obtain CDL |
| Skills Test | Pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, on-road driving evaluation | Pass to Obtain CDL |
| 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 Southeast, Midwest, West, 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 Florida. We've Got You Covered
Stuck on I-95 outside Miami, on I-75 through Alligator Alley, or on I-10 through the Panhandle, Astel dispatches a replacement truck so you keep rolling. Your paycheck never takes a hit. Zero downtime stress. Guaranteed.
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