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 — loaded and deadhead. New Volvo trucks. Real respect on every mile.
Pay That Actually Delivers
Transparent, consistent pay — no gimmicks, no hidden deductions. Minnesota-based drivers typically gross $2,200–2,700 per week on our West–Midwest lanes.
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Weekly Direct PayNo delays, no holdbacks — straight to your account
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All Miles PaidZIP-to-ZIP calculation — 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 — keep rolling & earning
Why Minnesota 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.
Minnesota: 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 every 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, and 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
Already hold your Minnesota CDL-A? You're ready to apply right now. 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 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 Minnesota? We've Got 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:
