Truck Driver Jobs in Minnesota —
Earn up to $110,000/yr
Join Astel, a family-owned carrier with 18+ years on the road. 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 pay. Consistent, too. No gimmicks, no hidden deductions. Minnesota-based drivers gross $2,400–2,700+ per week on our West–Midwest lanes.
- ✅$0.80 per mile flat rateAll miles paid, both 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 raisesTwice 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 counts loaded and deadhead miles 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 Minnesota Drivers Choose Astel
Our owner is a former truck driver who built the company he wished existed, and 18 years later, we're still growing and still treating drivers like people, not numbers.
Minnesota Is the North's Food Powerhouse
General Mills, Hormel, Land O'Lakes, Cargill: some of the biggest names in American food run from Minnesota. Food means refrigeration, and refrigeration means steady work for reefer drivers, all year long.
Major Minnesota Freight Hubs
The Twin Cities anchor the freight economy of the entire Upper Midwest. Minneapolis is a named endpoint of Astel's lanes, while Duluth connects the region to the Great Lakes.
Minnesota Climate & Reefer Demand
This is the state where a reefer proves it works both ways: cooling loads through humid summers and heating them through −20°F winters.
Summer: Hot and humid. Dairy, meat, and packaged food out of
the processing belt all ride under refrigeration.
Winter: Deep cold turns beverage, produce, and canned-goods
load into protect-from-freeze freight. The reefer runs in heating mode, and
drivers who know cold-weather operation are in demand.
Year-round: Turkey, pork, packaged-food plants keep
refrigerated lanes busy in every season.
Your Minnesota Lanes with Astel
Minneapolis is a named endpoint of Astel's West ↔ Midwest network. I-94 runs straight from the Twin Cities to our Chicago base, about 400 miles door to door. Be ready to run all 48 contiguous states.
Minnesota Freight by the Numbers
Food is Minnesota's freight, and it all needs a reefer.
Minnesota CDL Class A Requirements
If you already hold your Minnesota CDL-A, you're ready to apply right now. If you're not yet licensed, here's exactly what the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) requires.
| Requirement | Details | Status for Astel Position |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21+ years for interstate (OTR) driving, required for all 48-state runs | Required |
| Valid MN Driver's License | Current, non-suspended Minnesota 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 | MN 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 Minnesota | 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 all 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
A Minnesota Breakdown Still Gets You Covered
Stuck on I-94 west of the Twin Cities or on I-35 heading south? Astel dispatches a replacement truck so you keep rolling. Your paycheck never takes a hit, in any weather.
Minnesota Driver FAQ
Testimonials
Real Reviews from Real Partners
Here are just a few of what our partners have to say about ASTEL:
