We are thrilled to announce that the 1.58 Open Beta for American Truck Simulator is now live and ready for testing. As we refine this latest update, we invite our dedicated community to explore the new features and share their findings. Your feedback is instrumental in polishing the experience, so please report any anomalies or technical hitches on our official forums.
The insights provided by our players are vital to our development process. Let’s take a closer look at the substantial enhancements and new content arriving with the 1.58 update.
The Route 66 Rework Project
A primary highlight of this version is the debut of the Route 66 Rework Project. Our specialized team has been meticulously rejuvenating the “Mother Road,” modernizing the legendary Historic Route 66 and its surrounding infrastructure. This initial phase focuses on revitalizing stretches through Northern Arizona and parts of New Mexico, ensuring these iconic landscapes meet our modern mapping standards.
While the completion of this historic highway is slated for the upcoming Illinois DLC, we felt it was essential to revisit older sections. This update delivers a comprehensive overhaul of I-40 and Historic Route 66, featuring redesigned road networks and urban centers.
In Northern Arizona, cities such as Kingman, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon Village, Page, Kayenta, Camp Verde, and Show Low have been reconstructed from the ground up. We are also introducing Lake Havasu City on AZ-95. A world-renowned vacation spot along the Colorado River, this city offers a unique architectural marvel: the London Bridge. Originally constructed in 1831 over the River Thames, it was relocated and rebuilt here in 1971. Players can now drive across this historic landmark—perhaps the perfect moment for a quick roadside tea break.
Further changes include the transition from Holbrook to the newly added city of Winslow. Across the border in New Mexico, Gallup, Albuquerque, and Tucumcari have received complete visual and structural overhauls to better capture the essence of the Route 66 corridor.
Natural wonders like the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, and Monument Valley have also been refreshed, providing a more immersive exploration experience. You can find deeper details on these landmarks in our recent blog post.
Driving Academy: Mastering Double Trailers
The Driving Academy expands in 1.58 with a dedicated module for Double Trailer Handling. This curriculum is designed to teach players the nuances of managing “doubles,” from basic forward movement to complex reversing maneuvers.
The module is divided into three progressive chapters, concluding with real-world scenarios to test your newfound proficiency. Completionists will be rewarded with Frankie, a charming wiener dog cabin accessory. Additionally, based on player feedback, we have lowered the requirements for the “Nerd of the Road” achievement, now requiring 3 stars in 15 scenarios instead of 23.
Next-Generation Truck Garages
Garages are the foundation of your trucking empire, and in 1.58, they receive a complete aesthetic overhaul. Our team has redesigned all three garage tiers to offer a more modern, detailed, and atmospheric environment.
These upgraded spaces aren’t just for storage; they are crafted to feel like rewarding milestones of your career. With enhanced lighting and improved textures, returning to your home base has never felt better.
Advanced Physics and Vehicle Dynamics
In anticipation of future content like “Road Trip” and “Coaches,” we have overhauled the core physics engine. These changes improve realism across all vehicle types, including the trucks you currently drive.
Key technical improvements include:
- Refined Throttle Response: Based on an authentic torque engine map.
- Enhanced Engine Resistance: More natural coasting behavior.
- Hill Start Assistant: Improved reliability when starting on inclines.
- Mechanical Details: Authentic wheel camber and caster effects on uneven terrain.
- Audio Overhaul: Turbocharger sounds now dynamically respond to engine load.
Revolutionized UI and Route Advisor
The user interface has undergone a massive transformation. The traditional Route Advisor has been retired in favor of a modular widget system. This allows players to customize their HUD, choosing exactly which information to display for a cleaner driving experience.
Furthermore, the Pause Screen has been reimagined as a Quick Info feature. This centralized hub provides immediate access to truck diagnostics, job details, and local regulations without cluttering the main HUD during gameplay.
We’ve also streamlined the Truck Configurator and Management Screens, improving controller navigation and providing clearer visual feedback for driver progression and company customization.
Changelog Summary
Gameplay & Map
- Driving Academy: Double Trailer Handling module.
- Comprehensive Route 66 Rework.
- All-new Truck Garage models and interiors.
- Physics & Collision engine update for enhanced realism.
User Interface (UI)
- Redesigned Tutorial with contextual hints.
- New Widget-based Route Advisor.
- Integrated Quick Info Pause Screen.
- Refined Truck Configurator & Management menus.
How to Participate
To join the Open Beta, navigate to the American Truck Simulator entry in your Steam Library. Right-click, select Properties, and under the Betas tab, choose public_beta from the dropdown menu. No password is required. Please be aware that beta versions may contain bugs; we recommend backing up your profile before proceeding.