South Dakota: Cities #2

We’re excited to continue our journey across South Dakota, highlighting even more of the cities coming with this DLC for American Truck Simulator. Each one has its own unique history and charm, which has been captured and recreated by our talented teams. Ready to check them out? Let’s get rolling!

Aberdeen 

Located in northeastern South Dakota, Aberdeen serves as an important hub for agriculture and industry, and also acts as a key gateway for drivers heading towards North Dakota. Known as the “Hub City,” it plays a vital role in connecting surrounding rural communities.

In-game, drivers will find a variety of industries to explore, including a large farm, a sizeable farm equipment scrapyard, and a soybean processing facility, reflecting the steady flow of agricultural freight that defines trucking across this part of the state. The city also features several notable buildings and landmarks such as the White House Inn, Aldersgate Church, and the Brown County Offices. There's plenty for you to explore here on your travels. Oh, and be sure to stop by the local truck stop before continuing your haul!

Watertown

Surrounded by farmland and home to a range of industrial businesses, Watertown offers a unique blend of rural charm and economic activity. The city sits near the notable glacial Pelican Lake, a popular destination for outdoor activities and a natural getaway shaped by melting glaciers over 20,000 years ago.

Watertown is also known as the home of one of the most well-known American artists of wildlife and rural nostalgia, Terry Redlin, with an Art Centre named after him located in the city, which we've included in our recreation. Drivers will also be able to deliver to and from a range of industries in Watertown, including an ethanol plant, trailer manufacturing facility, and residential development depots. 

Whilst driving through Watertown, you may notice the city’s unique layout, which reflects its early origins. Diagonal streets form the original town centre, which were aligned with the railway that once ran through it, allowing for easier access when transporting goods. As the city grew beyond its initial footprint, development gradually shifted to a more traditional straight grid pattern, creating the distinct mix of layouts you can see today.

Brookings

Home to South Dakota State University, Brookings is a lively city with plenty to discover. One of its most recognisable sights is the Coughlin Campanile, a 165-foot-tall chimes tower completed in 1929, which stands proudly on the university campus. It was later listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

Elsewhere in the city, you’ll find Veterans Memorial Park, a multi-war memorial that honours all veterans, past, present, and future. Its design features a centralised star symbol representing the five branches of the armed forces.

Drivers passing through Brookings will also come across Pioneer Park, a popular local spot that hosts community events throughout the year. Looking for work? Brookings offers a wide range of job opportunities, including a custom farm depot and a furniture manufacturing facility, alongside several other industries that supports the local economy. 

Yankton

Situated along the Missouri River, Yankton is a city deeply connected to the water, often earning it the nickname “River City”. One of its most iconic landmarks is the Meridian Bridge, completed in 1924. This historic double-deck, vertical-lift structure was the first permanent crossing over the Missouri River in the Yankton area and played a vital role in connecting the region, including early freight routes moving goods across state lines.

Originally built to carry traffic between South Dakota and Nebraska, the bridge remained in use for over 80 years before being replaced in 2008. Today, it has been preserved as a pedestrian and bicycle crossing, allowing visitors to experience this impressive piece of engineering up close. It still stands as a defining landmark of Yankton, reflecting both the city’s history and its strong connection to the river.

In Yankton itself, drivers can also pass by the Veterans Memorial and a local church. Many visitors are drawn to nearby Lewis and Clark Lake, one of the most popular recreation areas in the South Dakota state park system. Here, drivers will have the opportunity to complete deliveries to a local depot, all whilst taking in the sights and sounds of the city. 

Mitchell 

Located along Interstate 90 between Sioux Falls and Pierre, you'll find Mitchell, best known for one of South Dakota’s unique attractions, the famous Corn Palace! Decorated with elaborate murals made entirely from corn and other grains, it draws visitors from across the country and stands as a true local icon. It's kinda corny, but we had to include it! 

In addition to this landmark, Mitchell features a variety of industries for drivers to deliver to and from, including a grain elevator, farm depot, trailer production facility, and building materials factory. You’ll also find an oil and natural gas site nearby, along with a spacious truck stop, a familiar sight for long-haul drivers travelling along I-90.

Our team has done their best to squeeze in as much detail as possible into these smaller cities, within the scale of ATS. Finding the right balance is always a challenge, but we think they’ve done a great job bringing these South Dakota cities to life. Let us know what you think in the comments, we’d love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed today’s look at the cities of South Dakota, be sure to add this upcoming DLC to your Steam Wishlist. Your support means a lot to us and helps drive our future releases. We look forward to sharing more development news and previews in the near future. Until next time, happy haulin’!