Truck Driver Jobs in Kentucky
Earn up to $110,000/yr
Join Astel, a family-owned carrier with 18+ years on the road. 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
This pay is transparent and consistent. No gimmicks, no hidden deductions. Kentucky-based drivers gross $2,400–2,700+ per week on our West–Midwest 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 PayNo delays, no holdbacks, straight to your account
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All Miles PaidZIP-to-ZIP calculation covers loaded miles and deadhead alike
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No Deposit for Experienced DriversA security deposit applies only with under 3 months of OTR experience
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Breakdown CoverageReplacement truck provided so you keep rolling and earning
Why Kentucky Drivers Choose Astel
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.
Kentucky Is the Crossroads of the Eastern U.S.
Three north–south and east–west Interstates, I-65, I-75 and I-64, meet in Kentucky, and the world's busiest package hub sits in Louisville. Roughly two-thirds of the U.S. population lives within a day's drive, which is why shippers keep building here.
Major Kentucky Freight Hubs
Louisville anchors the state: UPS Worldport, the Riverport industrial park, and a warehouse belt stretching down I-65 toward Elizabethtown. Northern Kentucky adds the CVG air-cargo hub, while Lexington and Bowling Green feed automotive and food freight.
Kentucky Climate & Reefer Demand
Kentucky is humid subtropical. Summers push past 90°F with heavy humidity, so poultry and dairy loads need temperature control, same as beverages. Winters are short but icy enough to keep reefers in heat mode on northbound runs.
Year-round: Broiler chicken out of western Kentucky and bourbon
and beverage freight from the Louisville–Bardstown corridor move every week of the year.
Spring–Fall: Grocery freight in and out of Louisville and
Lexington distribution centers peaks, along with produce inbound from the South.
Winter: Fog on I-64 and ice on the I-75 grades reward drivers
who plan their days. Astel dispatch builds that time into the load.
Your Kentucky Lanes with Astel
Astel's corridors run West ↔ Midwest, and Kentucky sits a short hop from our Chicago yard. Drivers load in Louisville, Lexington and Bowling Green and head north on I-65, or west on I-64 and I-24 toward Kansas City and Dallas. We're growing, and drivers must be ready to run all 48 contiguous states.
Kentucky Freight by the Numbers
A small state with an outsized role in American logistics.
Kentucky CDL Class A Requirements
Already hold your Kentucky CDL-A? You're ready to apply right now. Not licensed yet? Here's exactly what the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Driver Licensing (DRIVE), requires.
| Requirement | Details | Status for Astel Position |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21+ years for interstate (OTR) driving, required for all 48-state runs | Required |
| Valid KY Driver's License | Current, non-suspended Kentucky 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 | KY 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 Endorsement | No special endorsement required for standard reefer freight in Kentucky | 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, receipts, and 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 Kentucky? We've Got You Covered.
Stuck on I-65 south of Louisville or on the I-75 grade near Berea, you get a replacement truck from Astel so you keep rolling. Your paycheck never takes a hit, and downtime doesn't cost you.
Kentucky Driver FAQ
Testimonials
Real Reviews from Real Partners
Here are just a few of what our partners have to say about ASTEL:
