Welcome to the Mount Rushmore State
South Dakota was officially announced by SCS Software in June 2025. The state sits in the North Central region of the United States and offers a diverse landscape ranging from endless prairies and agricultural fields to the rugged Black Hills and the famous Badlands.
According to SCS, players can expect:
- Vast prairie landscapes
- The Missouri River dividing the state
- Scenic Black Hills roads
- The Badlands National Park region
- Agricultural, forestry, and mining industries
- Numerous small towns and rural communities
Confirmed Cities
SCS has already confirmed several cities that will appear in the DLC:
- Sioux Falls
- Rapid City
- Mitchell
- Pierre (state capital)
The developers also mentioned smaller settlements including:
- Deadwood
- Wall
- Sturgis
Additional cities are expected to be revealed during development.
The Research Trip
Long before development began publicly, members of the map team traveled across Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota to gather reference material.
According to map lead Saimon, the team visited the state in 2023, collecting thousands of photographs and documenting local industries, landmarks, road layouts, and scenery. The purpose was to capture details that cannot be found through satellite imagery alone.
This research phase has become a key part of modern ATS map development and often results in more accurate depictions of roads, businesses, and regional atmosphere.
Truck Stops
Several previews have focused on truck stops throughout the state.
Confirmed locations include truck stops near:
- The Iowa border along I-29
- Yankton near the Missouri River
- Alzada near the Montana border
SCS states that many of these facilities are based on real-world locations and vary from small rural rest areas to larger service centers.
The inclusion of the Alzada truck stop was particularly welcomed by the ATS community because players had been discussing its potential appearance for quite some time.
Custom Depots and Industries
South Dakota’s economy is heavily influenced by agriculture, and SCS appears determined to represent that.
Custom depots showcased so far include:
- Farms
- Agricultural facilities
- Rural industrial locations
- Specialized cargo destinations
Developers have also recreated elements of the Great Plains Shelterbelt, adding more regional authenticity to the landscape.
Expect farming to play a major role in the cargo market, alongside forestry and mining operations.
Roads and Highways
The state’s transportation network will primarily revolve around two major interstate corridors:
Interstate 90
The main east-west route crossing South Dakota.
Interstate 29
The north-south corridor serving the eastern portion of the state.
Both highways are expected to form the backbone of freight movement across the DLC.
The Black Hills region will likely provide some of the most scenic driving experiences in ATS, featuring winding roads, forests, and elevation changes not commonly found in the Great Plains.
Landmarks and Scenic Areas
While SCS has not yet revealed a complete landmark list, several iconic locations have already been highlighted:
- Badlands region
- Black Hills
- Missouri River
- Mount Rushmore State scenery
- Prairie landscapes
- Sunflower fields
- Native American cultural areas
The developers repeatedly emphasize the importance of showcasing both the natural beauty and cultural heritage of South Dakota.
Community Speculation and Future Connections
The ATS community reacted positively to the announcement, with many players noting that South Dakota continues the game’s gradual expansion toward the eastern United States. Community discussions also immediately turned toward neighboring North Dakota and future Midwest states.
While SCS has not announced North Dakota, many players see South Dakota as an important step toward completing the northern corridor of the United States.
Release Date
As of June 2026, SCS Software has not announced an official release date for the South Dakota DLC. Development is actively progressing, with regular blog updates continuing throughout 2025 and 2026.
Final Thoughts
South Dakota may not be the largest state in ATS, but it has the potential to become one of the most diverse. Between the Badlands, Black Hills, agricultural industries, historic towns, and major interstate corridors, the DLC appears to offer a balanced mix of scenic driving and freight opportunities.
Based on everything shown so far, South Dakota is shaping up to be another high-quality expansion that continues SCS Software’s push toward the Midwest and eventually the eastern United States.