Road Trip: Atlas

In today's blog, we are excited to show you a new gameplay feature that will come to American Truck Simulator with the arrival of Road Trip. Let's take a closer look at Atlas!

We know many of you have been wondering what new gameplay experiences Road Trip will bring, and today we're excited to introduce Atlas. Designed around exploration, Atlas encourages players to discover, visit, and learn about selected locations across the world of American Truck Simulator. Along the way, you may come across famous landmarks or hidden gems you may have overlooked before - and even learn something about them!

You can access the Atlas interface from your in-game desktop under the Navigation tab. At the heart of this feature are Tourist Boards scattered across the map. By selecting a Tourist Board in the Atlas interface, you'll be directed to the board via your GPS. Once you arrive, several exploration locations will be revealed. These locations are typically spread throughout the surrounding region and showcase some of its most notable highlights. 

Your objective will be to visit every exploration location associated with the Tourist Board. These include Points of Interest, Viewpoints, and Photo Trophies.

Points of Interest are a new type of discoverable location. Unlike Viewpoints or Photo Trophies, there's no need to stop or activate a trigger - simply driving through the designated area is enough to mark it as explored. The game also lets you revisit each explored Point of Interest through the Atlas or Gallery, where you can view a live camera feed of the location. If your vehicle is parked there, you'll see it in the live view.

Whenever you've explored a new location, you'll be notified by a new on-screen widget, which can be enabled or disabled in the widget settings. A short celebratory sound effect will play, and the location will be marked as explored. You'll also unlock a brief description with interesting information about the place, which you can revisit at any time through the Atlas interface.

Once you've explored every location connected to a Tourist Board, the board itself will be marked as completed. As a reward, you'll receive a postcard with a unique design inspired by the region you've just explored, which you can display on your vehicle's dashboard. You can also return to the Atlas interface at any time to review the locations you've discovered, read their descriptions, or replay any unlocked cutscenes.

This feature will become available to players owning any Road Trip DLC, so either the Ford Car Pack or the RAM & Dodge Car Pack. However, Atlas is not limited to only cars, as you will also be able to enjoy this feature behind the wheel of a truck!

With the introduction of Atlas, you will be able to find Tourist Boards in California, and in the Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota DLCs. We will then be gradually adding them to all the other states as well.

We hope you are excited about this new gameplay feature! If you are, make sure to add the Ford Car Pack and the RAM & Dodge Car Pack to your Steam wishlist.

Don't forget to stay tuned for more news from Road Trip by following us on our X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. We would also really appreciate it if you could sign up for our newsletter. Drive safe!

British Columbia: Tunnels and Snow Sheds

Today, we're excited to showcase some of the remarkable tunnels and snow sheds that await you in our upcoming British Columbia DLC for American Truck Simulator. Whether you're traveling through rugged mountain passes or navigating busy highways near Vancouver, these unique structures are an essential part of the province's transportation network.

One of the most recognizable structures you'll drive through is the Great Bear Snow Shed on the famous Coquihalla Highway. Built to protect motorists from avalanches and falling snow, this impressive concrete structure has become an iconic feature of one of British Columbia's most challenging mountain routes. As you make your way through the surrounding peaks, this landmark is sure to stand out during your journey.

Further east, along the Trans-Canada Highway (TC-1) in Glacier National Park, you'll come across several more snow sheds that shelter the roadway from heavy snowfall and avalanche hazards. Nestled among towering mountains and dense forests, these structures are an essential part of traveling through one of Canada's most spectacular alpine regions, adding another layer of authenticity to the mountain trucking experience.

The winding section of the Trans-Canada Highway near the town of Hope is also home to a remarkable collection of tunnels carved directly through the surrounding mountainsides. As you travel this scenic corridor, you'll pass through several recreated tunnels, including the Yale Tunnel, Alexandra Tunnel, Hell's Gate Tunnel, Ferrabee Tunnel, and China Bar Tunnel. Together, they create one of the most memorable stretches of highway in British Columbia, with dramatic canyon views waiting between each passage.

Our journey doesn't stop there. Drivers exploring the Vancouver area will also encounter the Cassiar Tunnel, an important urban tunnel that carries traffic beneath one of the city's major corridors. Meanwhile, another engineering highlight awaits beneath the mighty Fraser River, where you'll drive through a tunnel connecting key parts of the Metro Vancouver region. These additions showcase not only British Columbia's stunning natural landscapes, but also the impressive infrastructure that keeps the province moving every day.

From towering mountain passes to modern urban highways, British Columbia offers a wide variety of unforgettable driving experiences. We hope you're looking forward to exploring these tunnels and snow sheds as much as we enjoyed recreating them!

If you're excited to hit the roads of Canada's westernmost mainland province, don't forget to add the British Columbia DLC to your Steam Wishlist! Also, be sure to follow us on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube, or sign up for our newsletter so you don't miss any future updates. Until next time, keep on truckin'!

South Dakota: Black Hills

Today, we're taking you on a journey through the beautiful Black Hills, one of South Dakota's most iconic regions, which we of course couldn't miss including in our upcoming South Dakota DLC for American Truck Simulator. From legendary Wild West history to breathtaking mountain highways, let us share some of the work our talented teams have done to faithfully recreate this beautiful region.

Spanning thousands of square miles across western South Dakota, the Black Hills are home to countless landmarks, historic towns, scenic byways & more. There's simply too much to cover in a single blog, so today we'd like to highlight just a small part of what you'll be able to discover. In this preview, we're taking a closer look at the historic town of Deadwood and one of the region's most scenic highways, US-385. 

Deadwood

Founded in 1876 during the Black Hills Gold Rush, Deadwood quickly became one of the American West's most famous frontier towns. What began as a small mining camp rapidly transformed into a bustling settlement filled with prospectors, merchants, and legendary figures such as Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Today, its fascinating past continues to inspire films, television series, books, and Western enthusiasts from around the world.

As you roll into town, you'll be able to drive along Deadwood's famous historic Main Street, faithfully recreated by our map designers for you to enjoy. Lined with charming storefronts, local attractions, and beautifully preserved architecture, it's the perfect place to slow down and soak in the atmosphere of this historic and famous destination.

Keep an eye out for several recognizable landmarks as you pass through, including the Town Hall, Museum, historic Train Station, and many more carefully recreated buildings that help capture the unique character of this iconic Black Hills town.

US-385

The US-385 is one of South Dakota's most scenic highways. Winding through the heart of the Black Hills, this picturesque route takes you past rolling hills, dense pine forests, towering  igneous and metamorphic rock formations, and spectacular mountain vistas.

If you're lucky, you may even spot herds of bison grazing alongside the road, adding another memorable moment to your journey through this remarkable landscape.

One highlight along the route is the stunning Pactola Lake, the largest reservoir in the Black Hills. Nearby, you'll also find a visitor center overlooking the lake, offering panoramic views, surrounded by forested hills, making it the perfect place to pause before continuing your journey on the road.

Whether you're discovering the rich history of Deadwood or enjoying the scenic beauty of US-385, the Black Hills are certainly a destination you won't want to miss on your travels in South Dakota!

We look forward to sharing even more from this upcoming DLC for American Truck Simulator in the future. If you're excited to be haulin' in the Mount Rushmore State, be sure to add South Dakota to your Steam Wishlist, your support means a lot to us. Until next time, happy truckin’!

Introducing North Dakota

We are excited to continue expanding the world of American Truck Simulator as we head further into the Northern Plains. Our map teams are currently working on bringing another unique state to life, filled with sweeping prairies, vibrant communities, and industries that keep America moving:

North Dakota for American Truck Simulator

Welcome to the Peace Garden State! Bordering Canada to the north, North Dakota is a land of sweeping prairies, fertile farmland, winding rivers, and skies that seem to stretch forever. Whether you're rolling into the capital city of Bismarck, navigating the busy streets of Fargo, or passing through communities such as Pembina and the Devil's Lake region, every stop offers a different glimpse into the character of this northern state.

North Dakota's road network is just as memorable as its destinations. Alongside major highways, you'll travel scenic routes like ND-57 and cruise along parts of the famous Enchanted Highway, where towering metal sculptures line the roadside, creating one of the state's most unique driving experiences. Nature lovers will also enjoy the expansive National Grasslands, whose open prairies perfectly capture the beauty of the Northern Plains.

Of course, no trucking adventure would be complete without plenty of cargo to haul. Agriculture remains the backbone of North Dakota, with vast fields producing crops that supply industries across the country. You'll also service facilities such as the sugar processing plant in Wahpeton and support the state's booming oil industry, ensuring there's always another job waiting just down the road.

As you explore, don't forget to keep an eye out for some of North Dakota's most distinctive landmarks. You may spot the state's highest TV tower rising above the prairie or encounter Wahpper, the World's Largest Catfish in Wahpeton. From famous landmarks to quiet country roads, North Dakota is full of memorable moments waiting to be discovered.

We can't wait to share more locations and information about North Dakota in later blogs! If you're excited to explore the Peace Garden State, be sure to add the North Dakota DLC to your Steam wishlist!

Remember to follow us on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube for all the latest news about this upcoming American Truck Simulator map expansion, or sign up for our newsletter so you never miss an update. Until next time, we wish you happy travels!