Truck Driver Jobs in South Carolina —
Earn up to $110,000/yr
Astel is a family-owned carrier with 18+ years on the road. Weekly pay. Loaded and deadhead miles both get paid. New Volvo trucks. Real respect on every mile. Astel is a company drivers want to stay in.
Pay That Actually Delivers
The pay is transparent and consistent. No gimmicks, no hidden deductions. South Carolina-based drivers gross $2,400–2,700+ per week on our West–Midwest lanes.
- ✅$0.80 per mile, flat rateLoaded miles and deadhead miles both paid
- ✅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, 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. Money lands straight in 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. You keep rolling and earning
Why South Carolina 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.
South Carolina Port, Peaches and the I-85 Corridor
South Carolina connects one of the fastest-growing container ports on the East Coast with the I-85 manufacturing belt of the Upstate. If you're based here, you're on the lanes that carry Charleston imports and Southern produce north to the Midwest.
Major South Carolina Freight Hubs
The Port of Charleston pushes containers inland by rail to Greer and Dillon. Trucks take it from there. The Greenville–Spartanburg stretch of I-85 is lined with plants and distribution centers, while Columbia sits where I-26, I-20, and I-77 meet.
South Carolina Climate & Reefer Demand
Long, humid summers above 90°F from May through September make South Carolina a reefer state. Freight here needs a working reefer unit. Peaches and produce spoil in hours without temperature control, and so do poultry and seafood.
May–August: Peach season in the Ridge and the Upstate. South
Carolina grows more peaches than Georgia, and the crop ships north in reefers
within days of picking.
April–November: Coastal Plain vegetables, watermelons, and
Lowcountry shrimp, plus year-round poultry from the Midlands processing plants.
Hurricane season (June–November): Storm threats compress
shipping windows. Shippers move perishables out early, and experienced OTR
drivers get the loads.
Your South Carolina Lanes with Astel
Astel's core corridors run West ↔ Midwest, anchored at our Chicago yard. South Carolina drivers load in Charleston, Greer, and Columbia and head north on I-26, I-85, and I-75/I-65 through Tennessee and Kentucky toward Nashville, Indianapolis, and Chicago. We're growing. Drivers must be ready to run all 48 contiguous states.
South Carolina Freight by the Numbers
A fast-growing freight state on the Southeast's main artery.
South Carolina CDL Class A Requirements
Already hold your South Carolina CDL-A? You're ready to apply right now. Not yet licensed? Here's exactly what the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) requires.
| Requirement | Details | Status for Astel Position |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21+ years for interstate (OTR) driving, required for all 48-state runs | Required |
| Valid SC Driver's License | Current, non-suspended South Carolina 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 | SC 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 South Carolina | 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 and receipts, plus any other 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 South Carolina? We've Got You Covered.
If you're stuck on I-26 outside Charleston or on I-85 near Spartanburg, Astel dispatches a replacement truck so you keep rolling. Your paycheck never takes a hit, with zero downtime stress.
South Carolina Driver FAQ
Testimonials
Real Reviews from Real Partners
Here are just a few of what our partners have to say about ASTEL:
