American Truck Simulator released states in waves, not all at once

American Truck Simulator launched in early access in February 2016 with California, Nevada, and Oregon already playable. The full game released in August 2016 with those same three states. Since then, SCS Software has added new states roughly every one to two years through paid DLC packs, each expanding the map and adding new cities, roads, and truck stops to drive through.

The game does not include all 50 states. SCS Software focuses on western and southwestern states first, then gradually moved eastward. Each new state release includes updated truck models, new company logos, regional landmarks, and authentic highway systems based on real roads.

Key Takeaways

  • California, Nevada, and Oregon were in the game from launch in August 2016.
  • New Mexico arrived in October 2017, followed by Utah in October 2018 and Idaho in October 2019.
  • Colorado released in April 2021, and Wyoming followed in September 2023.
  • Each state costs between $14.99 and $19.99 USD as a separate DLC purchase.
  • SCS Software has not announced a release schedule for future states beyond Wyoming.

The original three states and early expansion

California, Nevada, and Oregon shipped with the game's full release on August 2, 2016. These three states formed the core map and remain the most detailed, with the most cities and truck stops. California alone includes the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sacramento.

New Mexico became the fourth state on October 4, 2017, adding the southwestern region and cities like Albuquerque and Santa Fe. This was the first paid DLC state and cost $14.99. The release marked a shift in how SCS Software would expand the game going forward — through purchasable state packs rather than free updates.

Utah, Idaho, and the mountain west expansion

Utah released on October 2, 2018, bringing Salt Lake City, Provo, and the Wasatch Mountains into the game. It cost $14.99 and connected to Nevada, creating a larger playable region in the interior west.

Idaho followed exactly one year later on October 1, 2019, at the same price point. Idaho added Boise, Coeur d'Alene, and the northern mountain landscape, extending the map northward from Oregon and Utah. By this point, players could drive continuously from the California coast through five states without leaving the game.

Colorado and Wyoming: the recent releases

Colorado released on April 22, 2021, priced at $19.99 — a $5 increase from previous states. It included Denver, Colorado Springs, and the Rocky Mountain passes. The higher price reflected more detailed terrain and additional cities compared to earlier releases.

Wyoming is the most recent state, released on September 6, 2023, also at $19.99. It added Cheyenne, Casper, and the high plains landscape, connecting Colorado to the north and creating a larger contiguous map across the mountain west and high plains.

What the release pattern tells you about future states

SCS Software has released one state every 12 to 24 months since 2017. The gap between Wyoming (September 2023) and the previous state (Colorado in April 2021) was longer than usual — about 28 months. This suggests the company may be taking more time per state to add detail, or focusing resources on other projects.

The company has not announced which state will come next or when. Based on the westward-to-eastward progression, the next logical candidates would be Montana, South Dakota, or Nebraska, but this is speculation. SCS Software typically announces new states only a few months before release.

How to check for new state announcements

SCS Software posts official announcements on the American Truck Simulator website and on the game's Steam store page. The official forums and the subreddit r/Trucksim also receive announcements quickly. If you own the game on Steam, you can enable notifications for DLC releases so you receive an alert when a new state becomes available.

Pre-orders for new states typically open two to four weeks before the release date. Prices have remained stable at $14.99 to $19.99 depending on the state, with no announced changes to the pricing model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to own all the states to play the game?

No. American Truck Simulator is fully playable with just the base game, which includes California, Nevada, and Oregon. Additional states are optional purchases that expand the map and add more routes, but they are not required to progress or complete jobs.

Can I drive between states I own if there are states in between I don't own?

No. The map only shows the states you own. If you own California and Utah but not Nevada, you cannot drive from California to Utah — Nevada acts as a gap in the map. You would need to own Nevada to connect them.

Do state DLC packs go on sale?

Occasionally. Older state packs like California, Nevada, Oregon, and New Mexico sometimes appear in Steam sales at 10 to 20 percent off. Newer states like Wyoming rarely discount in the first year after release. Prices are the same whether you buy on Steam or directly from SCS Software.

Is there a bundle that includes all states?

SCS Software does not sell an all-states bundle. You must purchase each state individually. However, Steam sometimes offers discounts on multiple DLC items if you buy them together during a sale period.

What happens if I uninstall a state DLC?

The state disappears from your map when ready. Any jobs or progress in that state remain in your save file, but you cannot access them until you reinstall the DLC. You do not lose your account or driver profile.