1. American Truck Simulator
  2. News

American Truck Simulator News

Iowa: Settlements Part 2

We're back with Part 2 of our showcase on the settlements you'll be able to travel through on your upcoming journey in Iowa for American Truck Simulator. If you missed the first part of this blog, we highly recommend giving it a read here.


As we mentioned previously, more than 15 settlements have been created for the Iowa DLC. Each one features its own landmarks, unique charm, and opportunities for drivers to refuel or take a much-needed break. Our talented map, art, and asset teams have carefully recreated each location to capture the essence of its real-life counterpart. Let's take a closer look at the rest of them, shall we?

Our first stop is Atlantic, a historic town in southwestern Iowa. Often referred to as the "Cola Capital of Iowa," Atlantic boasts a well-preserved downtown with charming architecture. Whether you're passing through or stopping for a break, this town offers a glimpse into Iowa’s rich commercial heritage.


Next up is Clear Lake, a charming town known for its scenic waterfront along, you guessed it, Clear Lake! A popular destination for boating and fishing, it’s a peaceful place to pause before getting back on the highway, offering a refreshing break from the road.


In Wapello County, you'll come across the settlement of Eddyville, a small but welcoming town. Here, the streets are lined with beautiful 19th-century homes and buildings. There are plenty of green spaces and recreation areas, as well as a nearby lake, where visitors can relax and enjoy the scenery. We’re sure drivers will appreciate the peaceful surroundings.

New Sharon, Iowa, is often described as a 'small and colourful town' known for its tight-knit community and peaceful atmosphere. Residents and visitors alike enjoy its charming main street and nearby natural spaces, including the North Skunk River, a tributary of the Mississippi.


Conveniently located off I-35, you'll find the settlement of Osceola, named after a famous Seminole Native American Chief who fought to preserve his people's land and rights. Truckers passing through will be able to spot a traditional wooden totem statue of Chief Osceola as they travel through the area.


The settlement of Oskaloosa also holds a historical significance. The town was named after a Creek princess, Ouscaloosa, whose name means "last of the beautiful." She later married Osceola, the Native American Chief mentioned above. Much like Osceola, Oskaloosa honors its heritage with a statue that stands as a silent sentinel, adding a touch of history to your journey. Here you'll also find some other notable landmarks including the City hall, the town square, and art murals which are found across town.


Traveling west, you'll come across the settlement of Spencer, known for hosting the Clay County Fair, one of the largest county fairs in the state, which draws visitors from across the region. Here, you'll find numerous artistic statues and other art pieces scattered throughout the area, along with old-fashioned streetlamps adorned with flowers and flags along the main road that runs through the center of town.


Last but not least, located in eastern Iowa along U.S. Route 61, you'll find the small settlement of Welton, population 121. While not much happens here, it’s home for a few, and its tiny-town charm and welcoming community make it a pleasant stop for travellers passing through.


We hope you've enjoyed learning more about the settlements that will be featured in our upcoming Iowa DLC for American Truck Simulator. Our teams have worked hard to bring as much detail into these areas as possible, making your journey as immersive as possible. We hope you enjoy the effort that went into crafting them!

Can't wait to explore Iowa? Be sure to add it to your Steam Wishlist! You can also stay up to date with the latest development news on X/Twitter, Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, or by subscribing to our newsletter. Until next time, keep on truckin'!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3025440/American_Truck_Simulator__Iowa/

American Truck Simulator is about to go beyond the 18-wheeler, nine years later

When it comes to the question of turning your brain off after a long day, American Truck Simulator is one of the best answers. The Steam megahit boasts a 97% positive rating from over 140,000 user reviews, and offers up a colossal approximation of the United States for you to get lost in. It's engaging, but gives you just enough freedom to zone out and let your mind wander as you travel across the states. If driving around 30,000 pounds of metal is too much for you, however, the team at SCS Software has something entirely new planned.


Read the rest of the story...


RELATED LINKS:

The 17 best ATS mods 2025 - top American Truck Simulator mods

American Truck Simulator just got even prettier and more convenient

American Truck Simulator Texas DLC release date is now official

Project Road Trip

We know many of you were curious about our recent teaser titled "Hear us out." Today, we're excited to finally reveal what it's all about! Our teams are in the early stages of developing the Road Trip concept for American Truck Simulator.


In the past, we've shared our ambition to expand the ways players can engage with the game world—not just through driving Class 8 trucks and hauling cargo, but by exploring that same world through different types of vehicles and experiences. Road Trip represents a step in that direction. Once introduced, it should allow players to enjoy the vast landscapes of ATS not only from the cab of an 18-wheeler but also from behind the wheel of, say, a powerful pickup or even a sports car. We hope this new perspective will appeal not only to long-time players but also to those who may be discovering the world of ATS for the first time.


While we're not ready to share every detail just yet—some are still being shaped internally—we're excited about where this is headed. Development is still in the early stages, but the possibilities are opening up in exciting ways.


Our vision for Road Trip goes well beyond simply introducing new types of vehicles. We're also exploring fresh gameplay opportunities—ways to give players a reason to drive them. That might mean taking on new kinds of tasks and jobs, or simply enjoying the open road, discovering landmarks, and soaking in the scenery.


If you'd like a deeper dive into Road Trip, be sure to check out our vidcast featuring Pavel, Nemiro, Mark, and Anton as they talk through the concept and our aspirations for it.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
And if trucking is your passion, rest assured—this new direction won't slow down our development of core trucking content. We've assembled a dedicated team to focus solely on Road Trip, which means our ongoing roadmap for new map expansions, trucks, trailers, and other updates remains unchanged.


We're excited to be testing new waters with Road Trip, and we're eager to hear your thoughts. If you have ideas or suggestions, please share them with us. And as always, we ask for your patience and support—this is a big experiment for us, and much will evolve over time.

We hope this blog completed with the work-in-progress screenshots from the work of our colleagues got a little excited. If it did, make sure to follow us on our Twitter, Facebook, InstagramBluesky, and YouTube so you don't miss out on any upcoming information. We'd also really appreciate it if you could sign up for our newsletter to stay informed, even when you're not able to check out the blog or our socials. Until then, keep on truckin'!

SCS On The Road: FORVIA HELLA: Let there be light!

Today, we're excited to release a new episode in our SCS On The Road series, and this time, we're on home turf! Join us in both Mohelnice in Czechia and Bočovce in Slovakia as we are given the special opportunity to shine a light on the work of the international automotive supplier FORVIA HELLA, one of the world's biggest producers of headlamps and other light-related products and technology.


The team at FORVIA HELLA invited us to have a tour of their facilities and to learn about the process of designing headlamps for various vehicles, including trucks. This was such an interesting insight for us that we knew we had to create an SCS On The Road episode for our community to enjoy and learn about. We thank the team at FORVIA HELLA for their kind hospitality and for giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the process of designing light technology products for their clients.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
We had the opportunity to speak with multiple members of their team, a few of which are players from our #BestCommunityEver, and we can say with complete confidence that we can never look at a headlamp the same way again, since learning about the amount of technology and work that goes into each product.

Don't leave us in the dark! Let us know if you enjoyed this in-depth episode. If you did like the video, then please consider subscribing, liking, or leaving a reply, as it really helps support our channel. We will see you soon for the next episode, until then, keep on truckin'!

Louisiana: Welcome Centers, Rest Areas, Weigh Stations

Looking forward to trucking in Louisiana? When driving to this upcoming map expansion for American Truck Simulator, the first thing you'll encounter when crossing in or out of the Pelican State might be its welcome centers - ready to provide visitors with all the essential information. As you explore, you'll also come across convenient rest areas and weigh stations along the way. Let's take a look at what's waiting for you!


[h3]Welcome Centers[/h3]
If you are driving to or from Texas, you can reach two welcome centers on Interstate 10. The Orange Travel Information Center is on the Texas side of the border and features picnic tables, separate truck and passenger parking, restrooms, and other accommodations travelers may need.


The other one is just a few miles away across the Sabine River in Louisiana. Truckers who stop by will find similar accommodations there, so they can have a well-deserved rest and admire the beautiful surroundings.


When you are hauling cargo further north on Interstate 20 from Louisiana to Texas, you can enjoy a stay at the Travel Information Center at Waskom. With a group picnic facility, plenty of room for parking, and even a movie theater, you will surely recharge and be ready to take on the road again!


[h3]Rest Areas[/h3]
If you are already in the Pelican State, both Interstate 10 and 20 have big rest areas you can stop by for your required 30-minute break. Make sure to visit the one on the Atchafalaya River between Baton Rouge and Lafayette with its beautiful swamp surroundings. In the northern part of the state, you will also find the Tremont rest area.


Weigh Stations
As you know, you may be legally required to pull into a weigh station which ensures heavy vehicles comply with state weight regulations for both road safety and to prevent damage to infrastructure. One of those is located on Interstate 12 not far east from Baton Rouge - make sure to stop there if you are required to or you may be looking at a big fine!


And that's it for today! Remember to add the Louisiana DLC to your Steam Wishlist and don't forget to give our X/Twitter, Instagram, FacebookBluesky, and TikTok a follow as you'll receive updates about our games straight to your feed! We look forward to sharing more with you down the road.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3012580/American_Truck_Simulator__Louisiana/