OTR Reefer Truck Driver Jobs
in Texas — Earn up to $110,000/yr
Join Astel LLC — a family-owned carrier with 18+ years of experience. 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. Texas-based drivers regularly clock $2,200–2,700 per week on our Midwest–West lanes.
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Weekly Direct PayNo delays, no holdbacks — straight to your account
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All Miles PaidZIP-to-ZIP — loaded and deadhead miles alike
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No Deposit for Experienced DriversDeposit applies only with under 3 months of OTR experience
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Breakdown CoverageReplacement truck provided — keep rolling & earning
Why Texas Drivers Choose Astel LLC
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.
Texas: The Reefer Driver's Powerhouse
Texas is the #1 freight state in America. If you're based here, you're sitting at the center of one of the most active trucking corridors in the country.
🛣️ Major Texas Delivery Hubs
Texas is home to the nation's largest road network — over 313,000 miles of public roads, with I-35, I-10, and I-45 connecting every major metro to the Midwest and beyond. From Houston to El Paso, your freight lanes never run dry.
🌡️ Texas Climate & Why Reefer Drivers Are Always in Demand
Texas summers routinely push past 100°F — and that's exactly why temperature-controlled freight never slows down here. The year-round heat means food, medicine, and consumer goods require refrigerated transport to survive transit, making reefer drivers critical to the supply chain 365 days a year.
Spring & Fall: Peak season for fresh produce and agricultural loads
moving out of the Rio Grande Valley and the High Plains.
Summer: Extreme ambient temps demand constant refrigeration unit
monitoring — experienced reefer drivers are worth their weight in gold.
Winter: Gulf Coast humidity and rare freeze events require careful
route planning — exactly the kind of challenge seasoned OTR drivers handle with ease.
🚦 Your Texas-to-Midwest & West Lanes with Astel
Astel's primary corridors run Midwest ↔ West and beyond, with Texas drivers picking up loads in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio and heading north and west through I-35, I-10, and I-40 into Kansas City, Chicago, Denver, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and across the West Coast. Our network continues to expand — drivers must be ready to run all 48 contiguous states.
📊 Texas Freight by the Numbers
Understanding the market helps you maximize your earnings on every run.
Texas CDL Class A Requirements
Already hold your Texas CDL-A? You're ready to apply. Not yet licensed in Texas? Here's exactly what you need to qualify — issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
| Requirement | Details | Status for Astel Position |
|---|---|---|
| 🎂 Minimum Age | 21+ years for interstate (OTR) driving across state lines | Required |
| 🪪 Valid TX Driver's License | Current, non-suspended Texas driver's license | Required |
| 📋 Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) | Must hold CLP for minimum 14 days before skills test | Pre-CDL Step |
| 🏫 ELDT Training | Entry-Level Driver Training from FMCSA-approved provider | Pre-CDL Step |
| 🩺 DOT Physical Exam | Medical Examiner's Certificate confirming fitness to drive CMV | Required |
| 📝 Knowledge Test | TX Commercial Rules, General Knowledge, Combination (Class A), Air Brake | Pass to Obtain CDL |
| 🚛 Skills Test | Pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, on-road driving evaluation | Pass to Obtain CDL |
| 🧹 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 |
⚠️ For the most current CDL requirements in Texas, visit dps.texas.gov.
Position Details
Driver Responsibilities
- Safely operate a CMV in compliance with all DOT regulations
- Deliver reefer freight on time across Midwest, West, and all 48 contiguous states as assigned
- Maintain accurate HOS logs and trip documentation
- Handle BOLs, receipts, and required paperwork
- Communicate clearly and professionally with dispatch throughout each run
- Monitor and maintain proper reefer temperatures throughout transit
- Perform basic on-road troubleshooting and pre/post-trip inspections
🔧 Broken Down in Texas? We've Got You Covered.
Texas highways are long and the heat is relentless. If your truck breaks down anywhere on your route, Astel dispatches a replacement truck — so you keep rolling and your paycheck never takes a hit. Zero downtime stress, guaranteed.
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Testimonials
Real Reviews from Real Partners
Here are just a few of what our partners have to say about ASTEL:
