Truck Driver Jobs in South Dakota
Earn up to $110,000/yr
Join Astel, a family-owned carrier with 18+ years on the road. Weekly pay. All miles paid: loaded miles 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. South Dakota-based drivers gross $2,400–2,700+ per week on our West–Midwest lanes.
- ✅$0.80 per mile, flat rateAll miles paid: loaded miles 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, 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 South Dakota 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 Dakota Runs on Pork, Prairie, and the I-90 Crossroads
South Dakota is where I-90 meets I-29, and Sioux Falls at that crossroads is one of the biggest protein hubs in the Upper Midwest: a Smithfield plant that handles about 20,000 hogs a day, a turkey plant in Huron, a cheese plant in Brookings, and 16 ethanol plants fed by the corn belt. From here, Chicago is a straight shot east on I-90.
Major South Dakota Freight Hubs
Freight concentrates along I-29 on the east side: Sioux Falls, Brookings, Watertown, and Aberdeen, where the meat, dairy, and ethanol plants sit next to the corn and soybean fields. Rapid City anchors the west end of I-90 as the gateway to the Black Hills and the supply point for the whole western half.
South Dakota Climate & Reefer Demand
The prairie swings hard. Summer highs of 85–95°F keep pork, turkey, and cheese on tight temperature control, while winter nights of −10 to −20°F put every reefer in heat mode so inbound produce and beverages do not freeze.
Year-round: Fresh and frozen pork out of Sioux Falls, turkey from
Huron, and cheese from Brookings. Chilled protein runs east to Chicago and
Milwaukee every day of the year.
September – November: Corn, soybean, and sunflower harvest.
South Dakota is the number-two sunflower state, and the ethanol plants and
elevators run at full tilt, filling every outbound truck.
Winter: Ground blizzards close I-90 several times a season and
thin out the driver pool. Experienced OTR drivers who handle prairie winters
are in demand.
Your South Dakota Lanes with Astel
Astel's core corridors run West ↔ Midwest, and our Chicago yard is the anchor. South Dakota drivers load in Sioux Falls, Brookings, and Aberdeen and run I-90 east across Minnesota and Wisconsin toward Madison, Milwaukee, and Chicago, or take I-29 to Omaha and Kansas City. We're growing, and drivers must be ready to run all 48 contiguous states.
South Dakota Freight by the Numbers
A low-population state that ships an outsized share of the nation's protein and fuel.
South Dakota CDL Class A Requirements
If you already hold your South Dakota CDL-A, you're ready to apply right now. If you're not yet licensed, here's exactly what the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing requires.
| Requirement | Details | Status for Astel Position |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21+ years for interstate (OTR) driving, required for all 48-state runs | Required |
| Valid SD Driver's License | Current, non-suspended South Dakota 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 | SD 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 Dakota | 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 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 Dakota? We've Got You Covered.
If you're stuck on I-90 near Mitchell or on I-29 outside Sioux Falls, Astel dispatches a replacement truck so you keep rolling. Your paycheck never takes a hit, with zero downtime stress.
South Dakota Driver FAQ
Testimonials
Real Reviews from Real Partners
Here are just a few of what our partners have to say about ASTEL:
