American Truck Simulator similar games & best alternatives

American Truck Simulator

Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S • 2016

Should you play it?

Experience legendary American trucks and deliver various cargoes across sunny California, sandy Nevada, and the Grand Canyon State of Arizona. American Truck Simulator takes you on a journey through the breathtaking landscapes and widely recognized landmarks around the States.

What works
  • Realistic and immersive driving experience
  • Detailed and expansive american map with landmarks
  • Extensive truck customization and mod support
  • Relaxing and therapeutic gameplay
  • Active developer support and frequent updates
Things to keep in mind
  • Limited number of trucks and states at launch
  • Slow paced progression and grind at early stages
  • Some ai traffic behavior unrealistic or frustrating
  • High dlc cost and fragmented content
  • Lack of narrative or deeper gameplay variety

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Euro Truck Simulator 2

  • Bus Simulator 16

  • Mashinky

  • Good Company

  • MudRunner

  • SnowRunner

  • Sledders

  • Parkitect

  • SimCity™ 4 Deluxe Edition
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Logic World

  • Fish Game

  • Vehicle Simulator
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Escapism

    The Long Drive
  • Progression

    Euro Truck Simulator 2
  • Relaxation

    House Builder

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

American Truck Simulator: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Violence, Fantasy, Story.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players manage their own trucking company, choose routes, trucks, and cargo, with freedom to explore and decide business strategies."

    Capsule for 18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul 18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul

    "Players have freedom to choose routes, manage their trucking company, customize trucks, and decide how to drive (obeying or breaking traffic rules)."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Driving requires skillful handling of trucks, managing fatigue, obeying traffic laws, and overcoming challenges like weather and terrain."

    Capsule for 18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul 18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul

    "Driving requires skillful handling of large trucks and trailers, including parking and navigating difficult turns; players receive feedback and progress by earning money and experience."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on personal driving experience and schedule adherence rather than competing against others; multiplayer or ranked modes not mentioned."

    Capsule for OMSI 2: Steam Edition OMSI 2: Steam Edition

    "Focus is mostly on personal progress and individual driving experience; multiplayer exists but is mod-based and not core; no ranked or leaderboard competition emphasized."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Many players report long play sessions, habitual play, and strong attachment to the game."

    Capsule for Cooking Simulator VR Cooking Simulator VR

    "Many players report long play sessions, habitual play, and strong attachment to the game world and progression."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    1

    "Some multiplayer features and community interaction exist but core gameplay is largely solo."

    Capsule for Farmer Against Potatoes Idle Farmer Against Potatoes Idle

    "Some cooperation possible via multiplayer mods and hiring drivers in company management, but core gameplay is largely solo."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    3

    "Customization of trucks, garages, and mod support allows players to create personalized experiences and modify gameplay."

    Capsule for Euro Truck Simulator 2 Euro Truck Simulator 2

    "Players can customize trucks extensively and use mods to alter trucks, maps, and gameplay."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "Interactions are balanced and respectful; no evidence of power imposition or trash talk in gameplay."

    Capsule for The Powder Toy The Powder Toy

    "Interactions are balanced and respectful; no evidence of power imposition or trash talk in core gameplay."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    5

    "Players use the game as a relaxing, surreal escape from reality with immersive driving and survival."

    Capsule for The Long Drive The Long Drive

    "Players use the game as a relaxing escape from real life, enjoying immersive driving and scenic exploration."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and passion for trains and simulation."

    Capsule for Trainz Railroad Simulator 2022 Trainz Railroad Simulator 2022

    "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and passion for trucking and simulation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players try different vehicles, routes, and mods; explore mechanics and map features."

    Capsule for MudRunner MudRunner

    "Players try different trucks, routes, driving styles, and mods to explore new experiences."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "Game features diverse, large maps with secrets and encourages discovery and world traversal."

    Capsule for Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

    "The game features large, detailed maps with many cities and landmarks to discover."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    4

    "Customization of cars and garages allows personal expression through paint, parts, and modifications."

    Capsule for My Garage My Garage

    "Truck and trailer customization, including paint jobs and accessories, allows personal expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    -3

    "The game simulates realistic train operations and environments rather than imaginative or fictional scenarios."

    Capsule for Derail Valley Derail Valley

    "The game simulates realistic trucking and geography rather than imaginative or fictional scenarios."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    1

    "Some community and multiplayer interaction exists, but most play is solo."

    Capsule for Total War: PHARAOH DYNASTIES Total War: PHARAOH DYNASTIES

    "Some community and multiplayer interaction exists but most play is solo."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop skills in driving, management, and route planning, with progression through company growth."

    Capsule for Bus Simulator 16 Bus Simulator 16

    "Players develop skills in driving, company management, and navigation, progressing through levels and upgrades."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for Chivalry: Medieval Warfare Chivalry: Medieval Warfare

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires sustained attention and focus during driving and loading tasks."

    Capsule for Truck & Logistics Simulator Truck & Logistics Simulator

    "Requires sustained attention and focus during driving and management."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "Limited social interaction beyond surface-level multiplayer; no close relationship formation."

    Capsule for Wrestling Revolution 3D Wrestling Revolution 3D

    "Limited social interaction mostly surface-level or via multiplayer mods; no close relationship formation described."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    3

    "Players lead their trucking company, hire drivers, and manage resources, exercising leadership in business."

    Capsule for 18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul 18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul

    "Players lead their trucking company, hire drivers, and manage resources."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    5

    "Strong emphasis on accumulating trucks, garages, upgrades, and expanding business operations."

    Capsule for Euro Truck Simulator 2 Euro Truck Simulator 2

    "Strong focus on accumulating trucks, garages, upgrades, and company growth."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    5

    "Many players describe the game as relaxing and therapeutic, balancing challenge and flow."

    Capsule for House Builder House Builder

    "Many players describe the game as relaxing and therapeutic, balancing challenge and flow."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Enjoyable audio-visual atmosphere with detailed environments and soundscapes."

    Capsule for Myst Myst

    "Enjoyable audio-visual experience with detailed environments and truck sounds."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -3

    "Achievements and recognition are mostly personal; no social status or popularity focus."

    Capsule for Phantom Doctrine Phantom Doctrine

    "Achievements and recognition are mostly personal; no strong social status or popularity aspects."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    -4

    "No narrative or plot; gameplay centers on routine delivery tasks and business management."

    Capsule for Euro Truck Simulator 2 Euro Truck Simulator 2

    "No narrative or plot; gameplay centers on delivery tasks and company management."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Players plan production, manage resources, and make strategic decisions about contracts and upgrades."

    Capsule for Beer Factory - Prologue Beer Factory - Prologue

    "Players plan routes, manage finances, hire drivers, and optimize company growth."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    1

    "Some tension from time limits and challenge, but mostly a calm experience."

    Capsule for Alice's Patchwork Alice's Patchwork

    "Some tension from traffic, police, and driving challenges, but overall a calm experience."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Players perceive good value from gameplay depth and hours of entertainment, though DLC pricing is criticized."

    Capsule for Two Point Hospital Two Point Hospital

    "Players perceive good value from gameplay hours and content, though DLC pricing is noted as high by some."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -5

    "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus is on constructive driving and management"

    Capsule for Fernbus Simulator Fernbus Simulator

    "Gameplay focuses on constructive driving and management; no enjoyment of combat or destruction."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    1

    "Players must avoid operational failures and manage hazards, but no life-threatening survival elements."

    Capsule for Train Sim World® 3 Train Sim World® 3

    "Players must avoid accidents and fines to maintain profitability, but no life-or-death survival elements."

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Last update: 01/06/2026