Truck Driving Jobs in Illinois —
Earn up to $110,000 Per Year
Join Astel LLC, a family-owned carrier with 18+ years on the road. Weekly pay. All miles paid, loaded and deadhead. New Volvo trucks. Respect on every mile. Astel is a company drivers want to stay in.
Pay That Speaks for Itself
Transparent, consistent pay. No hidden deductions, no surprises. Illinois-based drivers gross $2,400–2,700+ per week on our Midwest-wide and cross-country reefer routes.
- ✅$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 is a company drivers want to stay in. Join a team where your experience is respected.
-
✅
Weekly Direct Deposit No delays, no holdbacks. Money lands in your account every week
-
✅
All Miles PaidZIP-to-ZIP, loaded and deadhead miles alike
-
✅
No Deposit for Experienced DriversDeposit applies only with under 3 months of OTR experience
-
✅
Truck Replacement Guarantee Breakdown happens. We send a replacement so your earnings never stop
Why Illinois Drivers Choose Astel LLC
Our owner used to drive himself, and built the company he always wished he could work for. 18 years later, we keep growing and still treat every driver like a person, not a number in the system.
Illinois Is the Nation's Freight Crossroads
Illinois sits at the center of the entire U.S. freight network. Every major transportation corridor in America either crosses through Illinois or runs right alongside it, making this state the ultimate home base for an OTR driver.
Illinois' Top Freight Hubs
Chicago is the #1 intermodal freight hub in North America. More rail lines converge here than anywhere else in the world. Add the I-55, I-80, I-90, and I-94 corridors and you have a driver's dream: consistent loads, short deadhead miles, and access to every corner of the country.
Why Illinois Reefer Drivers Are Always in Demand
Illinois is the #1 agricultural processing state in the Midwest, one of the top producers of corn, soybeans, and pork in the entire country. Temperature-controlled freight moves year-round through every season.
Spring: Fresh produce season kicks off in the South and California.
Illinois drivers are the primary relay point delivering to the East Coast and beyond.
Summer: Peak demand for refrigerated transport of fresh produce,
dairy, and meat products. Chicago-area distribution centers run at full capacity,
and every experienced reefer driver is worth their weight in gold.
Fall & Winter: Processed food, frozen goods, and holiday
supply chains surge. Illinois processors ship to all 48 states year-round.
This market never slows down.
Your Routes Out of Illinois with Astel
Astel's core corridors run Midwest ↔ West Coast and keep expanding. Illinois-based drivers pick up loads in Chicago, Joliet, Decatur, and Peoria, then move west on I-80 and I-90, south on I-55, or east on I-80 and I-90 into Pennsylvania and the Northeast. We're growing, and drivers must be ready to run all 48 states.
Illinois Freight — By the Numbers
The scale of Illinois as a freight market puts every other Midwest state in perspective.
Illinois CDL Class A Requirements
Already hold an Illinois CDL-A? You're ready to apply right now. Don't have an Illinois CDL yet? Here's everything the Illinois Secretary of State requires.
| Requirement | Details | Status for Astel |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21+ for interstate (OTR) driving across all 48 states; 18+ for intrastate only | Required (21+ for OTR) |
| Valid IL Driver's License | Current, non-suspended Illinois driver's license required as a base license | Required |
| Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) | Must hold CLP for a minimum of 14 days before scheduling the CDL skills test | Pre-CDL Step |
| ELDT Training | Entry-Level Driver Training from an FMCSA-registered provider, required since Feb. 7, 2022 | Pre-CDL Step |
| DOT Medical Exam | Valid Medical Examiner's Certificate (Form MCSA-5876) from an FMCSA-registered examiner. Renewed every 2 years. | Required |
| Written Knowledge Tests | General Knowledge, Combination Vehicles, and Air Brakes. Must pass each section with 80% or better | Pass for CLP/CDL |
| CDL Skills Test | Pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control (backing, alley docking), and on-road driving test | Pass for CDL |
| Reefer Endorsement | No special endorsement required for standard temperature-controlled freight in Illinois | Not Required |
| Background & Driving Record Check | FMCSA requires a review of the past 10 years of driving history across all 50 states | Required |
| Clean Record | No DUI, no at-fault accidents, no serious moving violations | Astel Requirement |
| OTR Experience | Minimum 1 year of over-the-road driving experience preferred | Preferred by Astel |
Position Details
Driver Responsibilities
- Safe operation of CMV in full compliance with all DOT regulations and HOS rules
- On-time delivery of temperature-controlled freight across Midwest, West, and all 48-state routes
- Accurate Hours of Service (HOS) logging and proper trip documentation
- Processing Bills of Lading, receipts, and all delivery-related paperwork
- Clear, professional communication with dispatch throughout every run
- Monitoring and maintaining proper temperature settings throughout each load
- Pre-trip and post-trip inspections plus basic in-cab troubleshooting when needed
Truck Break Down in Illinois? We've Got You Covered.
If you're stuck on I-80 outside Joliet or on I-90 near Rockford, Astel sends a replacement truck. You keep moving, and your paycheck doesn't miss a single mile. No stress. No lost income. Guaranteed.
Explore More
More Hiring States
Driver Guides
Start Here
Testimonials
Real Reviews from Real Partners
Here are just a few of what our partners have to say about ASTEL:
