100% discovered study 05.20.2026
New version 1.59 for both games brought us map content – new roads to discover – Benelux Rework in Europe and Illinois DLC in America. European update is ready today and below you will find 100% video but for American DLC I just started my journey. Since I’m also discovering other map mods like Eurafrica and Promods for ETS2, not sure when Prarie State will be discovered.
ATS 1.58 – 100% Explored map with all DLC (March 2026, all map DLCs)
[Guide] ETS2 1.59 – 100% Explored map with all DLC (with Benelux Rework) (May 2026, all map DLCs including Nordic Horizons)
I do these discovery since 2017 and I discover whole map almost on every game versions including all expansions and reworks.
Hidden Roads Study – May, 16 2026
Since the last update, both ATS and ETS2 1.59 and the Benelux rework for ETS2 have been released, alongside the Illinois DLC for American Truck Simulator. ATS 1.58 already added numerous new secret roads, and I had been considering updating the America guide after finding around 18 additional hidden roads, bringing the total to roughly 263 (though I may remove some older unmarked ones). With Illinois now released, I’m sure there are even more hidden roads waiting to be discovered, so the guide will continue growing as I explore the new map.
The reason I mostly skip mid-tier guide videos comes down to how YouTube ranks and promotes content. Older videos usually appear first, while guide-style videos below them tend to have very poor discoverability and low view counts. I don’t really want to spend dozens of hours making a guide that ends up with 900 views. (The ETS2 guide currently has around 2.3K views, while the ATS version is still about 1.2K.) The same issue affects 100% discovery guides and map combo content. I know there’s interest from my audience, but without YouTube helping push this type of content, it quickly gets buried.
Below you’ll find all hidden roads in ATS and ETS2 discovered in version 1.57 and later updates. You can also check the complete list of cities with hidden paths here: https://trucksim.top/y9t6. It probably won’t reveal the exact secret road locations, but it can help you figure out if you missed any areas.
I’ve been covering hidden secret roads in both American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2 since 2022, when the feature was first introduced in ETS2 and ATS 1.44. For now, though, I’ll likely slow down these uploads a bit and let others continue expanding the coverage.
ETS2 (updated 01.24.2026, actual on 1.58 with Scandinavia Refresh and Nordic Horizon DLC, 110 roads so far)
ATS (updated 12.26.2025, actual on 1.57 with Louisiana DLC, 245 roads so far)
Secret Roads of Benelux and Volvo Experience Center on ETS2 1.59
New hidden roads with footages on Route 66 (collection of videos)
The Illinois DLC is now released
The wait is over — the Illinois DLC for American Truck Simulator is officially out now! 🚛
The Prairie State expansion brings players to iconic locations including Chicago, Springfield, Quincy, Effingham and many more, while also completing the legendary Route 66 journey across ATS from Chicago all the way to Santa Monica.
Illinois delivers a strong mix of dense urban areas, industrial zones, rural highways and classic Midwest scenery, making it one of the most anticipated ATS map expansions so far.
Alongside the DLC release, SCS Software also introduced two new trucks — the Volvo VNL and the fully electric Volvo VNR Electric – making ATS 1.59 one of the biggest updates in recent months.
One notable surprise however is the absence of the traditional World of Trucks Cruising event that usually accompanies new state releases.
The DLC released on May 14 alongside ATS 1.59 update.
4 new achievements also added to Steam
#AmericanTruckSimulator #ATS #IllinoisDLC #SCSsoftware #TruckSim
American Truck Simulator 1.59 Released
SCS Software just released ATS 1.59. If you tried beta don’t forget to disable it – go to Steam client → LIBRARY → right-click on American Truck Simulator → Properties → Betas tab → Beta Participation drop-down menu → None.
And if you tuned up buffer settings before this version it is time to disable it in config file.
Changelog
Gameplay
- Tow to Road Feature
UI/UX
- Advisor Update – Finances & Damage Widgets
- Skills UX Redesign
- QoL UI/UX Changes
- Improved News Banner Readability
- World Map Pin Enhancements
- Save Icon Update
- Garage Cutscene Skipping
- D-pad Accessibility Improvements
Visuals
- Height Blend Improvements
Sounds
- Traffic Sound Rework
Other
- Detour Feature Maintenance
Trucksim.top Turns 6: From First Posts to Thousands of Miles
Today marks 6 years since I started trucksim.top.
What began as a simple idea — sharing tips, discoveries, and experiments in American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2 — turned into something much bigger than I expected.
🚛 What happened over these 6 years
- Dozens of guides on profiles, map discovery, and game mechanics
- Experiments with save editing and optimization
- Coverage of new DLCs, updates, and features
- YouTube content alongside the blog
- A growing audience of people who actually care about the details
Some posts were simple. Some took hours (or days) of testing.
But the goal stayed the same: make useful, practical content for truck sim players.
🔧 What makes this blog different
There are a lot of ATS/ETS2 blogs and videos out there.
Most repeat the same info.
Here, I try to go deeper:
- Not just what works, but why it works
- Not just guides, but real experiments
- Not just news, but context
If you’ve ever used one of my profiles, strings, or guides — you know what I mean.
📈 What changed
A lot.
The games evolved.
The map got bigger.
Tools and mods became more advanced.
And honestly — the expectations are higher now.
People want faster, better, more detailed content.
🔮 What’s next
I’m not planning to stop.
In fact, I want to push further:
- More advanced guides (especially around map data & automation)
- Better tools and reusable templates
- More structured content instead of one-off posts
- Deeper integration between blog and YouTube
🙌 Thanks
If you’ve been reading, watching, or using anything from trucksim.top — thank you.
Even if you just stopped by once to grab a guide — that still counts.
ATS Upcoming Illinois DLC release on May, 14
American Truck Simulator continues its expansion into the American Midwest, and one of the most anticipated upcoming map expansions is the Illinois DLC. This new state will bring players to the heart of the U.S. transportation network, featuring major cities, iconic highways, and a diverse economy centered around agriculture, industry, and logistics.
SCS Software revealed official date of release – May, 14 – 2026 as well as official video trailer.
Welcome to the Prairie State
The Illinois DLC was officially announced in February 2025. The state is often called the Prairie State, known for its vast farmland, historic towns, and one of the most important transportation hubs in the United States.
In ATS, Illinois will allow players to:
- Drive along historic routes such as Route 66
- Explore the state capital Springfield
- Visit the massive metropolitan area of Chicago
- Travel through agricultural regions and industrial corridors
The state sits in a key geographic position connecting the Midwest with the rest of the country, which makes it an important logistics hub both in real life and in the game.
Cities Expected in the Illinois DLC
According to teasers and previews, Illinois will include a mix of major cities and smaller towns. The currently known or expected cities include:
- Chicago
- Springfield
- Peoria
- Champaign
- Bloomington
- Rockford
- Quincy
- Effingham
- Marion
- East St. Louis
- Moline
These locations will allow players to experience a mix of large metropolitan areas, mid-sized industrial cities, and smaller agricultural communities.
Detailed City Previews
Peoria
One of the cities already showcased by SCS is Peoria, located along the Illinois River.
In ATS, the city will include:
- Industrial depots related to heavy equipment manufacturing
- A custom river port depot
- Scenic riverfront driving routes
- Connections via Interstate 74 and US Route 24
Peoria’s strong manufacturing heritage and river logistics will play an important role in the cargo economy of the region.
Champaign
Another previewed city is Champaign, part of the Champaign-Urbana metropolitan area.
Highlights expected in ATS include:
- University-inspired landmarks and buildings
- A recognizable downtown skyline
- Agricultural industries such as corn and soybean farming
- Depots like food processing plants, warehouses, and retail stores
The region will represent the agricultural heart of Illinois, providing a variety of cargo opportunities for players.
Smaller Towns and Settlements
In addition to the main cities, the Illinois DLC will feature at least 11 smaller settlements. These towns help make the map feel more realistic and provide additional road connections and scenery.
One example shown by the developers is Monmouth, a historic agricultural town in western Illinois near the Iowa border.
These settlements will likely include:
- Small agricultural communities
- Scenic rural roads
- Truck stops and service areas
Industries and Cargo
Illinois is one of the most economically diverse states in the U.S., and the DLC will reflect that with a wide range of industries.
Expected cargo sectors include:
- Agriculture (corn, soybeans, farm supplies)
- Food processing
- Manufacturing and heavy equipment
- Logistics and warehousing
- River and rail transportation
The state is also known for its role in national exports and manufacturing, making it a natural fit for ATS freight operations.
Roads and Truck Stops
Developers have already teased several truck stops and highway facilities located across the state, including rest areas near:
- Peoria
- Rockford
- Effingham
- Rend Lake
These locations will provide realistic rest areas for long-distance trucking routes through the Midwest.
Illinois is expected to feature major interstate connections, including corridors linking the state with neighboring DLC regions.
Final Thoughts
The Illinois DLC represents an important step in the eastward expansion of American Truck Simulator. With major logistics hubs like Chicago, historic highways like Route 66, and a mix of industry and agriculture, the Prairie State has the potential to become one of the most interesting regions in the game.
Illinois looks like a promising addition to the growing ATS map.
Hidden Roads Study – April, 15 2026
Since the last update, ATS 1.58 has added numerous new secret roads, and I’ve been thinking about updating the guide for America — I found about 18 new hidden roads, bringing the total to around 263 (though I may remove some of the older unmarked ones). However, we’re very close to the new Illinois DLC, and I’m sure it will add even more roads. As I explore it, the guide will grow significantly.
The reason I mostly skip mid-tier videos is how YouTube ranks and promotes content — older videos come first, and guide-style videos below that have very poor discoverability and low view counts. I don’t want to invest a lot of time into a guide that ends up with 900 views. (The ETS2 guide has 1.7K views, while the ATS one is still at 970.) The same goes for 100% discovery guides and map combos. I know my audience is interested in this kind of content, but without YouTube’s help in promoting it, it just keeps getting buried.
Below you’ll find all hidden roads in ATS and ETS2 discovered in version 1.57. You can see the complete list of cities with hidden paths here: https://trucksim.top/y9t6. It probably won’t help with exact secret locations, but you can use it to check if you’ve missed any.
I’ve been sharing hidden secret roads in both American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2 periodically since 2022, when this feature was introduced in ETS2 and ATS 1.44. For now, though, I’m reducing my uploads and letting others take over this coverage.
ETS2 (updated 01.24.2026, actual on 1.58 with Scandinavia Refresh and Nordic Horizon DLC, 110 roads so far)
ATS (updated 12.26.2025, actual on 1.57 with Louisiana DLC, 245 roads so far)
New hidden roads with footages on Route 66 (collection of videos)
American Truck Simulator: 1.59 Open Beta
SCS Software released beta version of ATS 1.59 and as always you can read about all changes of the official blog. To try beta go to Steam client → LIBRARY → right-click on American Truck Simulator → Properties → Betas tab → Beta Participation drop-down menu → public_beta. No password is required. Sometimes you will have to restart your Steam client to see the correct branch name there.
Changelog
Gameplay
- Tow to Road Feature
UI/UX
- Advisor Update – Finances & Damage Widgets
- Skills UX Redesign
- QoL UI/UX Changes
- Improved News Banner Readability
- World Map Pin Enhancements
- Save Icon Update
- Garage Cutscene Skipping
- D-pad Accessibility Improvements
Visuals
- Height Blend Improvements
Sounds
- Traffic Sound Rework
Other
- Detour Feature Maintenance
World of Trucks Events Temporarily Paused
SCS Software has announced a temporary pause of World of Trucks events. According to the developers, this decision was made to allow time for improvements to the systems and infrastructure that support these events.
The goal of this rework is to better integrate event features directly into the game. Planned improvements include the ability to track progress, view achievements, and claim rewards without leaving the game interface.
The studio also mentioned additional ideas currently in development, but more details will be shared later when plans are finalized. Events are expected to return once these improvements are completed.
In the meantime, SCS Software will continue releasing new content and updates for Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator.
Support Trucksim!
Hello everyone and welcome to Trucksim blog,
I revived my Patreon and supporter already getting extra content and faster updates.
I wanted to have an honest conversation with you about Trucksim and its future.
What This Project Is
For over 5 years, I’ve been creating detailed map combo tutorials, hidden road guides, and 100% discovered profiles for both ETS2 and ATS. Every major game update, every DLC release, every map mod version – I’m there documenting it, testing combinations, and making sure you have working setups.
The blog (trucksim.top) and YouTube channel exist because I genuinely love this community and these games. But here’s the reality: this is a hobby that takes significant time and effort.
The Real Numbers
Currently, the YouTube channel generates about $40-50 per month from ads. To put that in perspective:
- Each map combo tutorial takes 6-10 hours (testing, recording, editing, writing)
- 100% map discovery guides take 50-60 hours of gameplay per version
- Hidden roads compilations require meticulous exploration and documentation
- The blog requires constant updates, hosting, and maintenance
I earn more in a couple hours at my regular job than the channel generates in a month. This has always been about community contribution, not income.
Why I’m Setting Up Patreon
I want to keep creating these guides. The community clearly finds them valuable – you watch them, use the profiles, and follow the tutorials. But as the games grow more complex (70+ map combos, over 350 hidden roads in ATS and ETS2, massive map expansions), the time commitment keeps increasing.
Patreon isn’t about getting rich. It’s about making this sustainable as a hobby without feeling like I’m working for free.
What You Get
Free Content (Always):
- All YouTube tutorials remain free
- All blog guides remain free
- All profiles and save files remain free
- Nothing changes for people who can’t or don’t want to support
For Patreon Supporters:
- Early access to new map combos and guides (1-3 days before public release)
- Early access to discovered profiles
- Behind-the-scenes content about the creation process
- Input on which content to prioritize next
- My genuine gratitude for keeping this sustainable
Tiers
$3/month – Coffee Supporter
- Early access to all guides and profiles
- Patron-only updates
$10/month – Elite Supporter
- Everything above
- Vote on upcoming content
- Special thanks in video descriptions
- Custom map combo consultation (within reason)
The Bottom Line
If 50 people support at $3/month, that’s $150 – roughly what it costs me in time to maintain this project monthly at a minimum wage equivalent. If 100 people support at $3/month, I can justify dedicating more regular time to this instead of feeling guilty about not working on paid projects.
If you’ve ever:
- Saved hours using one of my profiles
- Successfully set up a complex map combo thanks to a tutorial
- Found all the hidden roads using my guides
- Appreciated having free, detailed documentation
…and you can afford $3-10/month, please consider supporting.
If you can’t afford it – that’s completely fine. Everything stays free. I mean that sincerely.
What Happens If Support Doesn’t Come?
Honest answer: I’ll keep making content, but less frequently. I’ll focus only on major updates (new DLCs, significant map releases) instead of every minor version. The quality won’t drop, but the quantity will.
Thank You
Whether you support financially or just watch/read – thank you for being part of this community. Truck sim modding is a niche, but it’s a passionate one, and I’m proud to contribute to it.
Let’s keep this truck rolling (sorry, had to).
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/punkito YouTube: youtube.com/@trucksim Blog: trucksim.top
— Punkito (Trucksim Top)