American Truck Simulator (ATS) is more than just a driving game—it’s a detailed simulation of the trucking industry, combining logistics, business strategy, and immersive road experiences. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned driver, mastering ATS requires more than just steering skills. This guide offers a comprehensive roadmap of tips and strategies, organized chronologically and thematically, to help you build a thriving trucking career in the game.
1. Starting Strong: Setting Up Your Profile and Controls
Before you hit the road, you’ll need to create your profile and configure your settings. This step is crucial for tailoring the game to your preferences and ensuring a smooth experience.
ATS allows you to choose your avatar, company name, and starting city. Your initial location affects job availability and proximity to dealerships. Next, configure your controls—keyboard and mouse, gamepad, or steering wheel. Each setup offers a different level of immersion and precision.
Recommended settings:
- Enable Route Advisor for navigation
- Turn on realistic fuel consumption
- Adjust traffic density for challenge
2. First Jobs: Earning Money Without a Truck
When starting out, you won’t own a truck. Instead, you’ll work as a hired driver using company vehicles. This is a low-risk way to earn money and gain experience.
Focus on short hauls to build confidence and learn the mechanics. These jobs help you understand cargo handling, time management, and route planning. Avoid taking loans too early—save up gradually and learn the game’s economy.
Beginner tips:
- Accept external contracts for stable income
- Avoid damage penalties by driving cautiously
- Use rest stops to manage fatigue
3. Buying Your First Truck: What to Consider
Once you’ve saved enough, it’s time to buy your first truck. This is a major milestone and opens up new gameplay options, including trailer ownership and cargo market access.
Popular starter trucks include the Peterbilt 579 and Kenworth T680. Look for a balance between engine power, fuel efficiency, and maintenance costs. You can also lease a truck if you want to test different models before committing.
Truck buying checklist:
- Compare engine specs and torque
- Choose sleeper cabs for long hauls
- Consider fuel tank size for efficiency
4. Skill Points: Building Your Driver Profile
As you complete deliveries, you’ll earn experience points and level up. Each level grants a skill point that can be allocated to different categories.
Skill categories include:
- Long Distance: Unlocks longer routes
- High Value Cargo: Enables premium freight
- Fragile Cargo: Requires careful driving
- Just-In-Time Delivery: Time-sensitive jobs
- Hazardous Materials: Dangerous but high-paying cargo
Start by investing in Long Distance and High Value Cargo to unlock lucrative jobs. Diversify your skill tree to access a wider range of contracts.
5. Route Planning and Navigation
Efficient route planning is essential for maximizing profits and avoiding delays. Use the in-game GPS and map to plot your journey, factoring in fuel stops and rest breaks.
Avoid congested areas and plan for weather conditions. The Route Advisor helps track delivery time, fatigue, and fuel levels. Use it to make informed decisions on the road.
Navigation tips:
- Plan routes with minimal tolls
- Avoid night driving if visibility is poor
- Use rest areas strategically
6. Fuel, Repairs, and Maintenance
Managing your truck’s condition is key to long-term success. Fuel costs, repair bills, and wear-and-tear can eat into your profits if not handled properly.
Refuel before long hauls and avoid running low. Visit service stations regularly to repair damage and upgrade parts. Maintenance improves performance and reduces breakdowns.
Maintenance checklist:
- Refuel every 600–800 miles
- Repair after accidents or heavy wear
- Upgrade engine and transmission for efficiency
7. Parking and Maneuvering: Mastering the Basics
Parking trailers and maneuvering in tight spaces are essential skills. These tasks can be challenging but are crucial for completing jobs and earning bonuses.
Practice backing up at truck stops and delivery points. Use mirrors and camera angles to guide your movements. Turn off parking assist to improve your skills manually.
Parking tips:
- Use wide turns to avoid curbs
- Align trailer with delivery zone
- Practice in low-pressure environments
8. Expanding Your Business: Garages and Drivers
Once you’ve built a stable income, invest in garages to expand your operations. Start with small garages and upgrade them to house more trucks and drivers.
Hire AI drivers from recruitment agencies. Assign them trucks and monitor their performance. Drivers level up over time, increasing your passive income.
Business strategy:
- Upgrade garages in high-traffic cities
- Hire drivers with balanced skills
- Track driver efficiency via company manager
9. Mods and Customization: Enhancing Your Experience
Mods can transform ATS into a personalized experience. From new trucks and maps to realistic weather and UI enhancements, mods offer endless possibilities.
Use Steam Workshop or trusted mod sites to find compatible content. Always check version compatibility before installing. Customize your truck with paint jobs, accessories, and performance upgrades.
Popular mod types:
- Truck models and interiors
- Realistic weather and lighting
- Map expansions and traffic tweaks
10. Advanced Tools: Console Commands and Developer Camera
For advanced users, ATS offers developer tools like the console and dev camera. These allow teleportation, time manipulation, and error tracking.
Activate the console by editing the config file. Use commands like goto to teleport or g_set_time to change the time of day. The dev camera is ideal for taking cinematic screenshots or scouting routes.
Useful console commands:
- goto [city] – Teleport to location
- g_set_time [hour] – Change time
- g_flyspeed [value] – Adjust camera speed
Conclusion
American Truck Simulator is a rich and rewarding simulation that blends driving mechanics with business strategy. By following these tips and guides—from setting up your profile to managing a fleet—you’ll build a successful trucking career and enjoy every mile of the journey.
Whether you're a casual player or a dedicated hauler, mastering ATS requires patience, planning, and a passion for the open road. With the right tools and mindset, you’ll go from rookie to road king in no time.
