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. Both loaded and deadhead miles get paid. 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. Tennessee-based drivers gross $2,400–2,700+ per week on our West–Midwest lanes.
- ✅$0.80 per mile flat rateAll miles paid, 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 raises twice 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, 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 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 Sits at 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 has 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 licensed yet? 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 and receipts. Keep the rest of the required paperwork in order
- 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
Astel Has You Covered If You Break Down in Tennessee
Get stuck on I-40 between Memphis and Knoxville or climbing Monteagle on I-24, and 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:
