Crete Carrier Corporation
$55,000 - $85,000OTR, Regional, Dedicated, Refrigerated, Flatbed
Moderate Demand
Refrigerated (Reefer) Driver Jobs in Illinois
Browse reefer trucking positions across Illinois with top carriers hiring now.
Pay
Ask the carrier
Demand Level
Moderate
Top Carriers
5+ Hiring
Key Cities
5+ Markets
Reefer Trucking in Illinois
Illinois is anchored by Chicago’s rail intermodal yards and the I-80/I-90/I-55/I-57 interstate web; more long-haul freight originates or terminates here than in almost any other state. Reefer demand in Illinois is moderate, with temperature-controlled freight shaped by the state's own food, ag, and grocery distribution patterns.
Top Companies Hiring Reefer Drivers in IL
View Company
KLLM Transport
$55,000 - $85,000OTR, Regional, Dedicated, Refrigerated
Knight-Swift Transportation
$50,000 - $85,000OTR, Regional, Dedicated, Refrigerated, Intermodal
Marten Transport
$55,000 - $85,000OTR, Regional, Dedicated, Refrigerated, Intermodal
Prime Inc.
$50,000 - $80,000+OTR, Regional, Refrigerated, Tanker, Flatbed
Driving job listings in Illinois
These listings are not job offers from this website, and this site does not employ the driver. If a carrier is not named, the card is a description of a type of seat, not an offer of employment.
OTR Dry Van Driver
$57,500 - $81,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver
$62,500 - $88,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Flatbed Driver
$64,500 - $91,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Step Deck Driver
$65,500 - $92,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Tanker Driver
$66,000 - $93,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Hazmat Driver
$68,000 - $96,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Car Hauler Driver
$69,000 - $97,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Oversized Driver
$72,500 - $102,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Regional Intermodal Driver
$58,500 - $83,000/year · Home weekly
Local Box Truck Driver
$48,000 - $68,000/year · Home daily
Regional Dump Truck Driver
$54,500 - $77,000/year · Home most nights
Local Cement Mixer Truck Driver
$55,000 - $78,000/year · Home daily
OTR Hotshot Driver Driver
$59,500 - $84,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
Regional Less Than Truckload Driver
$61,000 - $86,000/year · Home weekly
OTR Power Only Driver
$57,500 - $81,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Local Straight Truck Driver
$47,000 - $66,500/year · Home daily
Top Cities for Reefer Jobs in Illinois
Chicago
Illinois
Joliet
Illinois
Rockford
Illinois
Springfield
Illinois
Peoria
Illinois
Key Freight Routes in Illinois
1
I-80/I-55 (Joliet intermodal corridor)
2
I-90/I-94 (Chicago metro)
3
I-57 (Chicago to southern IL)
Requirements for Reefer Driving in IL
- Valid CDL-A license
- 6+ months CDL-A experience (some carriers train new drivers)
- Understanding of reefer unit operation and temperature monitoring
- Knowledge of food safety regulations (FSMA)
- Clean MVR and DOT physical card
- Willingness to work seasonal peak freight periods
Start Your Reefer Driving Career in Illinois
Submit your application and get matched with companies hiring reefer drivers in IL.
Reefer Trucking Jobs in Illinois — FAQs
How much do reefer truck drivers make in Illinois?
This page does not publish a dollar pay band for reefer drivers in Illinois. The figure that used to appear here was an unsourced regional multiplier, and every state in the same region showed the same band. Ask the carrier for the rate. Sign-on bonuses are widely advertised in this market, but the amount, the qualifying period and the clawback terms differ by carrier — read the offer letter rather than the recruiting ad, and ask when the money actually lands.
When is the busiest season for reefer drivers in Illinois?
Reefer freight in Illinois stays consistent year-round with frozen food and dairy distribution. Seasonal produce freight from southern and western states passes through IL during spring and summer, creating rate surges.
Are trucking companies in Illinois hiring reefer drivers in 2026?
Yes — reefer driver demand in Illinois is moderate heading into 2026. The reefer segment in Illinois is expanding, with carriers adding routes and increasing hiring as freight volumes grow. Check individual carrier listings for current openings and application requirements in IL.