Truck Driver Jobs in Tennessee —
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. Tennessee-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 Tennessee 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.
Tennessee: America's Distribution Crossroads
Memphis moves more air cargo than almost any city on Earth, I-40 carries coast-to-coast freight straight through the state, and most of the U.S. population lives within a day's drive. Tennessee is built for trucking careers.
🛣️ Major Tennessee Freight Hubs
Four metro areas anchor four corners of the state, each with its own freight profile — from the FedEx World Hub in Memphis to the booming grocery and consumer DCs around Nashville.
🌡️ Tennessee Climate & Reefer Demand
Hot, humid summers and mild winters keep Tennessee freight moving twelve months a year — and the humidity is exactly why the cold chain matters here.
Summer: 95°F with heavy humidity — dairy, poultry, and grocery
loads demand uninterrupted refrigeration from dock to dock.
Fall – Winter: Grocery and holiday retail volume peaks through the
state's DC network; mountain grades on I-40 and I-24 get icy, but roads stay open
almost year-round.
Year-round: Food processing across the state — poultry, snack
foods, beverages — generates steady reefer volume in both directions.
🚦 Your Tennessee Lanes with Astel
Astel's corridors run West ↔ Midwest, and Tennessee sits right on the seam: I-40 west to Memphis links our network to the Southeast, while I-24 and I-65 run straight north to the Chicago base. Drivers must be ready to run all 48 contiguous states.
📊 Tennessee Freight by the Numbers
Location is Tennessee's superpower — and truck drivers cash in on it.
Tennessee CDL Class A Requirements
Already hold your Tennessee CDL-A? You're ready to apply right now. Not yet licensed? Here's exactly what the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security (Driver Services) requires.
| Requirement | Details | Status for Astel Position |
|---|---|---|
| 🎂 Minimum Age | 21+ years for interstate (OTR) driving — required for all 48-state runs | Required |
| 🪪 Valid TN Driver's License | Current, non-suspended Tennessee 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 | TN 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 Tennessee | 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 Tennessee? We've Got You Covered.
Whether you're on I-40 between Memphis and Knoxville or climbing Monteagle on I-24, Astel dispatches a replacement truck so you keep rolling. Your paycheck never takes a hit.
Tennessee Driver FAQ
Testimonials
Real Reviews from Real Partners
Here are just a few of what our partners have to say about ASTEL:
