OTR Reefer Truck Driver Jobs
in New York — 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. 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. New York–based drivers gross $2,400–2,700+ per week running our Northeast–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 is 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. Money lands in your account every week
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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 Coverage Replacement truck provided, so you keep rolling and earning
Why New York 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.
New York Is the Northeast Reefer Gateway
New York is the beating heart of Northeast freight. Home to the nation's largest metro population, major seaports, and a food distribution network that never sleeps, the demand for refrigerated transport here is relentless, year-round.
Major New York Freight Hubs
New York's freight network runs along I-87 (the Thruway) from New York City to Albany and Buffalo, I-90 connecting to the Midwest, and I-95 tying the entire East Coast corridor together. New York City, including the Hunts Point Market in the Bronx, is the largest food distribution center on the East Coast, while Buffalo, Albany, and Syracuse serve as critical upstate logistics gateways connecting the Northeast to Midwest lanes.
New York Climate & Why Reefer Drivers Are Critical Year-Round
New York's climate brings brutal winters, humid hot summers, and unpredictable shoulder seasons, and that creates non-stop demand for temperature-controlled freight in both directions. Winter temperatures regularly drop below 0°F upstate and in Buffalo, making reefer units essential to protect cargo from freezing, not just overheating.
Winter (Dec–Mar): New York's coldest months drive
surge demand for heated reefer runs. Frozen goods, pharmaceutical freight,
and grocery replenishment for 20 million+ residents push
reefer capacity to its limits. Buffalo's outbound reefer
rejection rates have surged well above national averages during winter weather events.
Spring & Summer: Heat and humidity across the state,
especially in NYC metro, lock in year-round reefer demand for
perishable groceries, dairy, seafood from coastal ports,
and foodservice supply chains.
Fall Harvest Season: New York is a major agricultural
state. Apples, grapes from the Finger Lakes, and Hudson Valley produce
create regional freight surges that add consistent reefer volume
to Northeast outbound lanes every September through November.
Your New York-to-Midwest & West Lanes with Astel
Astel's corridors run Northeast ↔ Midwest ↔ West and continue to expand. New York drivers load in NYC, Buffalo, Albany, and Syracuse and run west on I-90 and I-80 into Chicago, Cleveland, Indianapolis, and across the full Midwest and West network. We're growing, and drivers must be ready to run all 48 contiguous states.
New York Freight by the Numbers
New York's freight market is one of the most dense and demanding in the country: massive consumer population, year-round reefer need, and a Northeast distribution role that feeds the entire region.
New York CDL Class A Requirements
Already hold your New York CDL-A? You're ready to apply right now. Not yet licensed in New York? Here's exactly what the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NYSDMV) requires.
| Requirement | Details | Status for Astel Position |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18+ for intrastate (within New York only); 21+ required for interstate OTR driving across state lines | 21+ Required (OTR) |
| Valid NY Driver's License | Current New York State Class D, Class E, or Non-CDL Class C driver's license required before applying for a CDL | Required |
| Proof of NY Residency | Valid New York State address required; proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency must be provided at the DMV office | Required |
| Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) | Apply at a NYSDMV office. Must hold CLP for a minimum of 14 days before scheduling the skills/road test. Written knowledge test required based on the NY CDL Manual (CDL-10) | Pre-CDL Step |
| ELDT Training | Federal regulations require all new Class A CDL applicants to complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from an FMCSA-registered provider before taking the skills test | Pre-CDL Step |
| DOT Medical Exam | Medical Examiner's Certificate from a FMCSA-certified provider confirming fitness to operate a CMV. A current USDOT Medical Examiner's Certificate must be kept on file with the NYSDMV at all times | Required |
| Knowledge Tests | NY General Knowledge, Combination Vehicles (Class A), Air Brakes, all based on the New York CDL Manual (CDL-10). Tests available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Russian | Pass to Obtain CDL |
| Skills / Road Test | Three-part evaluation: pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving. Schedule through the NYSDMV online system after holding CLP 14+ days | 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 Northeast, Midwest, West, and all 48 contiguous states as assigned
- Maintain accurate HOS logs and complete trip documentation
- Handle BOLs, receipts, and 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 New York? We've Got You Covered.
Stuck on I-87 near Albany, on I-90 west of Buffalo, on I-95 through the Bronx, or on the Southern Tier Expressway, Astel dispatches a replacement truck so you keep rolling. Your paycheck never takes a hit. Zero downtime stress. Guaranteed.
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