The iconic and scenic water bodies meticulously redesigned by the SCS Software team for the American Truck Simulator – Missouri state map expansion were introduced in a blog post. The most notable of these is the Lake of the Ozarks, a large reservoir formed by damming the Osage River, which looks fantastic. Created by the Bagnell Dam, completed in 1931, this lake has a dragon shape when viewed from above and is located in the heart of Missouri, within the Ozark Mountains. It covers an impressive area of 54,000 acres (220 square kilometers). Another reservoir included on the map is the Harry S. Truman Dam and Reservoir, located just west of the Lake of the Ozarks along the Osage River. This vast body of water spans over 55,000 acres (225 square kilometers) and nearly matches the Lake of the Ozarks in surface area.

While crossing bridges in Missouri, we’ll also see various rivers and streams. In addition to iconic rivers like the Fox, Fabius, and Saint Francis, which feed into the mighty Mississippi River, we’ll encounter rivers like the Chariton, Grand, and Platte that wind toward the Missouri. Beyond these larger rivers, they’ve also added local beauties like the Weldon and Whetstone rivers, along with part of the Headwater Diversion Channel, and other small streams that enrich Missouri’s terrain.

Add it to your Steam Wishlist.

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There’s a lot of speculation around the possibility of a Canada DLC for American Truck Simulator! With each new state expansion, SCS Software has been steadily growing the game’s map, but the recent 1.53 update caused a stir by adding some Canadian roads in British Columbia. Could this mean SCS is already working on a British Columbia DLC? It seems possible!

Now, before we get too excited, here’s the reality: we’ve only seen roads for Vancouver and Victoria in the map editor so far, along with a few Canadian road signs. Still, the thought of heading into Canada as we cross through the U.S. is definitely interesting. And really, why not Vancouver? Most of the 3D assets are already in place, and adding a few new traffic vehicles wouldn’t be much different from expanding with a new U.S. state. But aside from being able to cross into Canada from Washington, this might just be a typical map expansion. Also, if you’re exploring Montana, Canada’s Alberta province sits just above it!

Players are more excited by the gameplay mechanics that come with these maps than by the usual state expansions. Whether it’s Alaska or Canada, in the end, it’s still just a map. There’s little point in heading further north without seasons. The upper areas of British Columbia already have low population density. However, as with any smaller state, those areas will probably be included as well.

The ProMods Canada map mod already covered a significant area, including British Columbia. One reason for the ProMods team’s slowdown on their Canada project is being interpreted as SCS Software starting to work in this region.

On the SCS Software forum, a user named Brendan0620 shared some screenshots of certain roads.

Another user, Fynn1510, also posted a new image.

Here we are, approaching 2025, still talking about Canada’s potential based on just two simple roads added in the editor. Shouldn’t we be focusing on something more significant? You might find a lot to enjoy in a small, detailed 2 km² area, but even 100 km² of map might not capture that same thrill. In ATS and ETS 2, the focus has mostly been on map expansions and 3D model updates, which may not be enough to keep long-time players hooked.

If Canada – British Columbia does happen, it’ll undoubtedly look great. Talking about a release date, though, is premature since there hasn’t even been an announcement. We’ll see if the SCS team drops a hint about Canada in their holiday livestream. But it’s clear they’re up to something, which is completely normal. SCS Software’s CEO, Pavel Sebor, mentioned in an August 2023 stream that an expansion into Canada could be possible. Canada and the U.S. are close neighbors in every way, so adding a Canadian province instead of just another U.S. state makes sense. And let’s not underestimate the Canadian player base! Yes, “not to be underestimated” might be a bit of an understatement.

You’ve probably seen the California Rework project by now. They keep improving with each update, and Nevada and Arizona are next on the list. But beyond that… well, what’s next?

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American Truck Simulator – 1.53 update has been released in open beta. As part of the California Rework, Phase 4 offers a rework of a total of 10 cities, including Los Angeles and San Diego. The update includes the sliding tandems feature, smooth and automatic camera centering, a Special Transport speed limit update, and some UI improvements. SCS Software is also expanding log trailer support for dynamic cargo loading and unloading animations to other U.S. states.

You can provide feedback and report bugs in the section opened for 1.53 on the SCS forum.

California Rework – Phase 4

Phase 4 of the California Rework project focuses on the southern region of California and includes 10 cities, 3 of which are entirely new to the world of American Truck Simulator. Drivers working in this region can look forward to making deliveries to and from the cities of Bakersfield, Santa Maria, Oxnard, Mojave, Barstow, Indio, Blythe, Los Angeles, San Diego, and El Centro. Similar to previous phases, much of the original base map was removed and reworked entirely from the ground up including the cities’ surrounding areas.

The American Truck Simulator rework brings more realistic state highways, creating an incredible experience for American players. Since road networks are as important as cities, the SCS team has focused on reworking primary routes, including major coastal roads such as US-101, CA-1, and I-5. This area offers beautiful ocean views and is a route that was highly popular when ATS first launched. Additionally, other key routes like CA-58, CA-14, and CA-99, along with interstate highways I-10, I-15, I-40, and I-8, have been revamped. Some road connections to neighboring U.S. states have also been provided.

Dynamic Cargo (Un)loading Update

The dynamic cargo loading and unloading feature introduced with the 1.50 update is being expanded. Until now, we could use it with grain hopper trailers, chip van trailers, and log trailers. However, players could only experience this feature with the log trailer in Arkansas, but with the 1.53 update, they will be able to enjoy animated loading and unloading of logs in all U.S. states in the game.

Driving Academy Fifth Generation Cascadia

In the 1.53 update, The Fifth Generation Cascadia from Freightliner will be implemented into Driving Academy, brand new game module introduced in 1.52. This state-of-the-art truck is the newest addition to the ATS truck roster, and now you will have the option to try it out in various challenging scenarios in Driving Academy!

Options QoL improvement

Improvements continue in the options menu following the new interface update. When changing an option with a default value, players will now see a visual indicator whenever a setting is adjusted or moved from its default state. Options set away from their default values will now appear with a small indicator next to the setting, making it easier to identify which settings have been changed from the default.

Special Transport Update

Also updating the Special Transport DLC. As part of the California Rework project, added a new route for truckers to haul oversized cargo – between the rebuilt cities of Los Angeles and San Diego via I-5 route.

Sliding Tandems Update

In the 1.53 update, SCS Software also introducing a new sliding tandems feature. Previously, players could only set trailer axles in a fixed forward or rear position. Now, select trailers come with updated chassis, allowing players to slide the axles freely to optimize the weight distribution for their load.

But be cautious! To make this feature as realistic as possible, if the trailer’s rear axle’s distance exceeds 40 feet from the kingpin, you risk receiving a fine at California weigh stations and, in some cases, directly from the police.

Changelog 

Map

• California Rework – Phase 4 release

Gameplay

• Dynamic cargo loading & unloading of logs available throughout the USA
• New Special Transport route from Los Angeles to San Diego
• Raised speed limit for Special Transport jobs from 40 mph to 55 mph

• The new Fifth Generation Freightliner Cascadia® added to Driving Academy
• Fully functional sliding tandems and fines system

So enjoy all the new additions, but please remember: It’s only an open beta, not a stable public version – so you may encounter bugs, instability, or crashes. It’s completely okay if you want to wait for the final release. But if you’re interested in helping them to get there faster, we’ll appreciate all of your feedback on SCS’s forum and your bug reports in this section.

Please check SCS’s modding wiki to get details pertaining to mods for the game.

If you wish to participate in the open beta, you can find this version in the public_beta branch on Steam. The way to access it is as follows: Steam client → LIBRARY → right-click on American Truck Simulator  → Properties → Betas tab → public_beta → 1.53. No password is required. Sometimes you may have to restart your Steam client to see the correct branch name there.

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San Diego

Nicknamed “America’s Finest City,” San Diego has been completely rebuilt. They retained the best areas from the original version while adding new locations that were highly requested by the community. In San Diego, players will nearly reach the Mexican border as they drive on the I-5 or enjoy views of Snapdragon Stadium as they travel along the I-8. CA-905 will take you directly to the border, passing through a sprawling logistics warehouse district. Additionally, we’ll have the opportunity to cross the iconic Coronado Bridge and see San Diego from a whole new angle.

Los Angeles

The City of Angels, Los Angeles, was also redesigned from scratch, just like San Diego. While some areas from the original L.A. (rebuilt as well) were preserved, such as Santa Monica, the beginning of the I-10, and the major intersection of routes I-10, I-5, and US-101, many more iconic areas of Los Angeles were added. These include L.A. Airport, the L.A. River, Long Beach Pier, and the I-405, one of the busiest highways in the U.S., along with several other locations. Thanks to the excellent work of SCS Software’s 3D modelers and map designers, players will be able to discover numerous landmarks and logistics depots in the reworked city of Los Angeles.

With the 1.53 update, many California cities, including Los Angeles and San Diego, will be renewed.

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When you explore this area, you’ll be able to transport and deliver cargo to cities like Bakersfield, Santa Maria, Oxnard, Mojave, Barstow, Indio, Blythe, Los Angeles, San Diego, and El Centro. This rework was by no means a small undertaking; within the limits of the game engine, map scale, and realistic truck routes, they meticulously utilized a large area to incorporate accurate city layouts, industrial zones, and road networks in great detail.

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In summary, the SCS team will now transition from Bullet Physics to Nvidia PhysX in their engine. This process will take time, and we’ll see changes in various areas, from driving physics to friction with different objects. This doesn’t necessarily mean that we’ll instantly experience drastically different driving physics. The physics system, which was previously processed by the CPU, is now shifting to the PhysX infrastructure, used by hundreds of games. Initially, we might see performance improvements in physics calculations and perhaps some differences in aspects like load handling, braking, or retarder usage. However, without a detailed explanation, it’s hard to say what the actual impact will be. In custom game engines, physics engine options like Havok or PhysX can be chosen, but what you do with these systems and what you offer still depends on the developers.

SiSL, a developer at SCS Software, mentioned on the forums that the Academy feature is the first to use PhysX, while Morrelo added that PhysX has been present since the 1.51 update.

The community is eager to see whether the shift to PhysX will lead to better suspension flexibility, improved cabin movements, and other physics-related enhancements that impact driving. Let’s see if they get what they’ve been asking for!

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Official Trailer

Inspired by years of feedback from players, the SCS Software team is venturing into a new area. Many players have mentioned that ETS 2 and ATS have helped them grasp the basics of truck driving, learning how to handle a truck and trailer, maneuver, and even reverse park. In fact, SCS Software has featured these players, who transitioned from virtual to real-life truck drivers, in their blog on several occasions. Many individuals have gone on to become real truck drivers through these games, and this trend continues today. Taking this feedback into account, the studio decided to introduce a series of specially designed scenarios into the game, aimed at enhancing and expanding these driving skills.

In the near future, they plan to publish an Under the Hood blog post detailing the challenges and thought process behind the development of the Driving Academy module.

The SCS Software team initially offers a course consisting of 31 scenarios, and it appears that new scenarios are in development. Thanks to the positive feedback they’ve received from the community, this module could continue to evolve with updates. Given the current status of Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator, the addition of such a driving training module was much needed.

In the future, they are eager to create additional scenarios and special challenges that real-life truck drivers may encounter. Their ultimate goal is for this game module to provide a deeper understanding of both truck driving and the systems involved in the process. However, they acknowledge that there is still a long way to go to fully realize this vision.

You may have noticed that some sections aren’t too difficult. This isn’t a parking game, nor does it offer overly challenging courses. Otherwise, players who prefer a more casual experience might struggle to complete the levels. In fact, many of these scenarios are things we already do during normal gameplay. However, a simulator like this truly needs a well-prepared training course, and we think it’s a great implementation. We’re satisfied with the first release. Most likely, more courses will be added in the future, where we can test vehicle handling in different ways. As you know, various truck brand facilities have already been included, and many scenarios could be possible in those areas.

Live streams here

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The Fifth Generation Cascadia: A New Milestone in Freightliner’s Lineup Now in American Truck Simulator

The Fifth Generation Cascadia is the most advanced on-highway truck Freightliner has ever produced, offering a cutting-edge aerodynamic package. Featuring chassis fairings, skirts, cabin extenders, roof fairings, front wheel closeouts, and a newly designed aerodynamic hood, this truck is built to streamline airflow and reduce drag. These enhancements significantly boost fuel efficiency, ensuring longer range and better performance on every journey.

Drivers in American Truck Simulator will also experience the innovative MirrorEye® digital camera system, which replaces traditional mirrors and provides superior visibility even in low light or harsh weather conditions, offering an unparalleled driving experience.

The design of the Fifth Generation Cascadia takes inspiration from the SuperTruck II, Freightliner’s prototype truck that pushes the boundaries of sustainable design by optimizing current technologies. This collaboration between SCS Software, Freightliner, and Daimler Truck North America has allowed the virtual version of the truck to launch in American Truck Simulator at the same time as its real-world counterpart.

SCS Software had early access to reference materials and was able to gather additional reference shots and sounds directly from the High Desert Proving Ground in Madras, Oregon, where they recorded the Cascadia’s unique sounds for the game. Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes details in a future SCS On The Road episode!

ATS players are in for a treat with this stunning new addition to their virtual trucking fleet!

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Discovering Maryville: A Hidden Gem in the Missouri DLC for American Truck Simulator

While it may not be the largest city in our upcoming Missouri DLC for American Truck Simulator, Maryville is a place that truckers and visitors alike will find captivating. Nestled in the scenic rolling hills of northwest Missouri, Maryville is a small town that shines with big hospitality and historical significance. Today, we’re excited to share more about this charming area, carefully recreated by our talented team for you to explore.

A Glimpse into Maryville’s Rich History and Landmarks

Founded in 1845, Maryville is the county seat of Nodaway County and boasts a proud historical background. One of its most iconic structures is the Nodaway County Courthouse, which was constructed in 1882. This grand courthouse, with its clocktower visible from afar, is a beacon of Maryville’s heritage. It stands as a reminder of the town’s role in Missouri’s legal and administrative history.

You’ll also encounter the First United Methodist Church, originally built in 1897. While the building has seen expansions and modern updates over the years, it remains a significant landmark for the local community. Along with these landmarks, the Maryville Firehouse and the Maryville Treatment Center, a state correctional facility, are notable points of interest recreated with precision in-game.

Thriving Industries and Opportunities for Truckers

Maryville isn’t just a small town with picturesque views—it’s a bustling hub of industries ready to keep truckers busy. In the heart of downtown, players will find various sectors including warehouses, construction sites, and a car parts factory, all in need of drivers to transport essential goods.

Venture a bit further to the outskirts, and you’ll find livestock farms—a nod to Maryville’s agricultural roots—and even a wind power plant, representing the town’s progressive stance on renewable energy. This blend of traditional and modern industries ensures that there’s no shortage of jobs for players who pass through.

Rest and Recharge at the Local Truck Stop

For those looking to take a well-deserved break, Maryville offers a welcoming truck stop where you can rest and recharge before continuing your journey. The stop provides all the amenities a trucker needs to prepare for the miles ahead, whether you’re hauling goods across the Midwest or just enjoying the open roads.

More About Maryville: Education and Local Culture

Beyond its industries, Maryville is also known for its educational institutions. It’s home to Northwest Missouri State University, a prominent university founded in 1905 that plays a key role in the town’s economy and culture. The university’s iconic Bearcat Stadium and its championship-winning football team, the Bearcats, are a source of local pride.

The town’s deep connection to agriculture and education, combined with its friendly atmosphere, makes it a unique stop in the Missouri DLC. Whether you’re exploring its historic streets, picking up jobs from local businesses, or taking a breather at the truck stop, Maryville offers a snapshot of both rural charm and industrial growth.

Experience Maryville in the Missouri DLC

As you traverse the state of Missouri in the upcoming DLC, make sure to take some time to explore Maryville. Its blend of historical landmarks, thriving industries, and warm hospitality is sure to leave a lasting impression. With the team’s attention to detail, this small town has been brought to life, offering a truly immersive experience for all who visit.

Steam

Source: SCS Software’s blog

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The SCS team has not yet announced a release date for the Louisiana DLC. However, we hope to see it launched by the end of 2025. While Baton Rouge is the state capital, Louisiana’s most important metropolitan and historic city is the famous New Orleans.

Louisiana for American Truck Simulator

Truckers can look forward to the beautiful and iconic landscape of this southern state, historical cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge, miles and miles of long stretching roads, and also the Mississippi River delta that has helped shaped how the area looks today.

The diverse landscape contributes to the unique beauty of this state, as visitors can find three types of regions there. The lowlands consist of the coastal marshes and the Mississippi floodplain. The Red River valley is typical for its red soil and many raft lakes. In the northern part of the state, you will mainly find some rolling hills.

Louisiana has a diverse variety of industries ranging from agricultural production, fishing, or forestry, to petroleum, gas, and coal. Thanks to this, drivers can haul plenty of different cargo types in and out of the Pelican State. We cannot understate the importance of waterways in this state, especially its canal system and the crucial role ports play, such as the port of New Orleans, which ranks among the busiest in the country in terms of volume of seaborne freight handled, so there is plenty of cargo to transport for everyone!

Louisiana: A Unique State in the Southern U.S.

Louisiana, located in the southern United States, is known for its rich cultural heritage, shaped by French, Spanish, African, and Native American influences. Its largest city, New Orleans, is famous for its vibrant music scene, particularly jazz, as well as its Mardi Gras celebrations. The state’s economy is driven by industries such as petroleum, natural gas, and tourism, with New Orleans being a key port city. Louisiana is also known for its diverse cuisine, including dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, and crawfish. The state’s bayous, wetlands, and the Mississippi River provide a unique natural landscape. Louisiana’s official language is English, but French and Creole are also commonly spoken in certain areas, reflecting its historical roots.

Louisiana: A Hub for Logistics and Trucking

Louisiana plays a crucial role in the U.S. economy, particularly in transportation, logistics, and the trucking industry. Strategically located along the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi River, the state serves as a gateway for international trade. Its port system, including the Port of New Orleans and the Port of South Louisiana, is one of the largest in the world, handling a significant volume of cargo, such as crude oil, natural gas, chemicals, and agricultural products.

The state’s extensive transportation infrastructure includes major highways like Interstate 10 (I-10) and Interstate 20 (I-20), which are vital for trucking routes across the southern and central U.S. Louisiana’s robust trucking industry supports the movement of goods between the state’s industrial hubs, ports, and surrounding regions. Due to its energy sector, Louisiana is also a key location for the transportation of petroleum and chemical products, making it a focal point for freight logistics.

In addition to trucking, the state benefits from a well-developed rail system and access to inland waterways, further enhancing its capacity to handle domestic and international shipments. As a result, Louisiana is a critical player in the supply chains of various industries, making it a hub for logistics and freight transportation in the U.S.

Add to your wishlist on Steam.

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