OTR Reefer Truck Driver Jobs
in Texas. Earn up to $110,000/yr
Astel LLC is 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, and drivers who stay.
Pay That Actually Delivers
Pay here is transparent and consistent. No gimmicks, no hidden deductions. Texas-based drivers gross $2,400–2,700+ per week on our Midwest–West 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 that respects your experience.
-
✅
Weekly Direct PayNo delays, no holdbacks, straight to your account
-
✅
All Miles PaidZIP-to-ZIP, both loaded miles and deadhead miles
-
✅
No Deposit for Experienced DriversDeposit applies only with under 3 months of OTR experience
-
✅
Breakdown CoverageWe provide a replacement truck, so you keep rolling and earning
Why Texas Drivers Choose Astel LLC
Our owner used to drive a truck himself, and he built the company he wished existed back then. 18 years later, we're still growing, and we still treat drivers like people, not numbers.
Texas Runs on Reefer Freight
Texas is the #1 freight state in America. Based here, you sit at the center of one of the most active trucking corridors in the country.
Major Texas Delivery Hubs
Texas runs 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.
Why Texas Heat Keeps Reefer Drivers Busy
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 other consumer goods all require refrigerated transport to survive transit. Reefer drivers stay 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, and experienced reefer drivers earn their keep here.
Winter: Gulf Coast humidity and rare freeze events require careful
route planning, exactly the kind of challenge seasoned OTR drivers handle without fuss.
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 keeps expanding, and drivers must be ready to run all 48 contiguous states.
Texas Freight by the Numbers
Knowing the market helps you get more out of 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 and West lanes, and all 48 contiguous states as assigned
- Maintain accurate HOS logs and trip documentation
- Handle BOLs and receipts, plus other 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
If You Break Down in Texas, Astel Has 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.
Explore More
More Hiring States
Driver Guides
Start Here
Testimonials
Real Reviews from Real Partners
Here are just a few of what our partners have to say about ASTEL:
