American Truck Simulator's New DLC Ditches Trucks, Sets Steam Record

What if you could play American Truck Simulator without, you know, driving a truck? That's exactly what the new Road Trip: Ford DLC offers, and it's already smashing records.

The expansion, out now, lets you swap your 18-wheeler for licensed Ford vehicles—including an F-150, Bronco, Crown Victoria, and a '67 Mustang. For $8, you get a pack of normal road cars that you can use to cruise at your own pace or take on new classes of delivery jobs. It's a departure from the game's core trucking fantasy, but fans seem more than ready for it.

Developer SCS Software announced on Bluesky that the game's all-time concurrent player record has been broken. "Over 20,000 of you are currently in-game, either behind the wheel of a truck or hitting the road with our Road Trip: Ford DLC!" the studio wrote, thanking players for years of support.

According to SteamDB, American Truck Simulator hit a peak of 21,318 concurrent players—the highest since its 2016 launch, when it saw 19,138. While those numbers might not rival Steam's biggest giants, few games have maintained such a consistent audience over the years. That longevity is a testament to the game's dedicated community.

For many, the appeal of ATS isn't just the economic loop of buying truck upgrades and hauling cargo. It's the simple joy of cruising long, lonesome highways that connect the US. In real life, rising fuel costs and political barriers make such trips arduous. But hopping into a virtual Mustang and watching the sun rise over Route 66? That's a fantasy worth chasing—at least for a moment.

So, will you be taking the Road Trip DLC for a spin? Or are you sticking with your trusty semi? Let us know in the comments!