American Truck Simulator Recognized as Official Route 66 Centennial Project

Today, we’re incredibly excited to share a truly special milestone for American Truck Simulator, one that celebrates not only our journey, but the legacy of one of the most iconic roads in the world.

Route 66 is a legendary highway in the United States, stretching from Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California, crossing eight states along the way. First established in 1926, it became one of America's first continuous highways, playing a major role in U.S. culture and history. 

In 2026, Route 66 celebrates its 100th anniversary, and to mark this milestone, a wide range of events and initiatives are being organised to honour its legacy. As part of these celebrations, the Route 66 Centennial Commission has brought together official projects that help preserve, showcase, and share the story of this legendary road with the world.

We are incredibly proud to share that American Truck Simulator has been recognised as an Official Route 66 Centennial Project. This prestigious designation, approved by the United States government and Congress, places our work alongside a range of initiatives honouring the legacy of Route 66 as it reaches its 100-year milestone. 

We put together a short video showcasing some of the iconic locations you can find along this historic highway in American Truck Simulator, check it out below!

So, what does this mean? The Route 66 Centennial Project highlights a variety of efforts from around the world that help share the story of this historic highway. These include preservation work, cultural programmes, and modern digital experiences like ours. "SCS Software’s Route 66 recreation in their American Truck Simulator video game offers an unprecedented way to experience the history, culture, and beauty of America’s most iconic highway," said Bill Thomas, Commissioner for the Route 66 Centennial Commission. "This digital re-creation not only celebrates the centennial milestone but also honours the people and communities that have kept Route 66 alive for generations." 

We are truly honoured that American Truck Simulator has been included in this initiative. Since the release of ATS in 2016, our team has been carefully building the game world state by state, always aiming to recreate real locations with authenticity and care. One of our long-term goals has been to bring Route 66 to life in a way that players everywhere can experience and enjoy.

With the upcoming release of the Illinois DLC for American Truck Simulator, our virtual recreation of Route 66 will be completed in full, allowing players to drive the entire historic route from Chicago to Los Angeles across all eight states. This marks a major milestone not only for our game, but also for everyone who has dreamed of experiencing this legendary journey.

We would like to thank the Route 66 Centennial Commission for this incredible recognition, and of course, our community, whose support continues to drive us forward. We look forward to sharing more with you as we approach the completion of Route 66 in American Truck Simulator.

Route 66 Rework Project: Cities on the Route 66

Our work on the Route 66 Rework Project for American Truck Simulator continues to move full steam ahead, and today we’re excited to take you on a broader tour of the many cities and towns that give this legendary highway its unique character.

While most of these locations have been part of ATS for some time, the rework has allowed us to rebuild every single one of them from the ground up, enhancing their accuracy while preserving the familiar layout and charm players know from the original map. Winslow is one of the brand-new additions to the game, but joins a completely refreshed lineup of communities that now feel more authentic than ever.

The stretch of Route 66 across Arizona has been an especially exciting challenge, with iconic stops such as Kingman, Flagstaff, and the newly introduced Winslow receiving significant attention. We’ve taken a close look at how these towns sit along the highway in reality, how the roads bend, where the businesses cluster, how the terrain shapes the drive, and adjusted their in-game layouts to better reflect the real-world experience.

From the high pines and cooler elevations around Flagstaff to the desert landscapes surrounding Holbrook and Kingman, the entire region has been revitalized with improved terrain, updated assets, and more detailed roadside scenery. These updates not only create a stronger sense of place but also help connect each town more naturally to the next, giving Route 66 a smoother narrative flow as you travel across Arizona.

Crossing into New Mexico, the rework continues with refreshed representations of Gallup, Albuquerque, and Tucumcari. While these locations were already well-loved parts of the ATS world, the updated versions now better capture the architectural style, atmosphere, and roadway structure that make each community unique.

We revisited key junctions, corrected road alignments, improved signage, and modernized the overall layout, all while preserving the core identity of the original map. Drivers will find that these towns feel more detailed and more believable, especially along the main Route 66 corridor, where historic motels, neon lighting, and long desert vistas help define the experience.

Overall, this phase of the Route 66 Rework Project has been about honoring the legacy of the original ATS map while elevating its realism to today’s standards. The Mother Road is more than just a highway; it's a ribbon of history connecting dozens of communities, each with its own story and character. By refreshing these locations, adding new ones, and improving the way they relate to one another, we aim to give players a richer, more cohesive journey through one of America’s most celebrated routes.

And that's it for today! We hope you've enjoyed this preview of what awaits you in the Route 66 Rework Project. Make sure to stay tuned for more updates from ATS by following us on X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and TikTok, or by subscribing to our newsletter! Until then, we wish you safe travels!

Project Route 66 Rework - Meet the Team

A few weeks ago, we introduced the Route 66 Rework, which will focus on key stretches in Northern Arizona and parts of New Mexico, particularly along I-40. Before we can show you glimpses of the team's work, we would like you to meet our colleagues working on this project!

After completing the California Rework Project, Janek and his team turned their attention to Route 66 and its surroundings. With the upcoming Illinois DLC already in development, this legendary American highway will at last be completed, but since parts of it no longer meet today's map design standards, the Route 66 Rework Project has begun. The rework team consists of 16 members, including a few external collaborators - and today, you'll get to meet some of them.

Janek - Project Lead

"I've been with SCS for almost seven years, working on several projects as a map designer and leading the third and fourth phases of the California rework. My main role is to support the team, coordinate with other departments, and oversee rework projects to make sure they come out as they should. Reworking is so fulfilling that it has become my full focus lately - and even in my personal life, I've started renovating my apartment. At the moment, that's pretty much what my life revolves around. Can you guess which rework will be finished first? Or maybe which rework project will come next?"

Ella

"Working as a game developer has been a dream job for me. Designing maps for American Truck Simulator utilizes my passion for learning about American urbanism, infrastructure, geography, and culture, but also functions as my artistic outlet. I'm able to find much joy in what I do even today, nearly 6 years after joining the company. Since I've gained plenty of experience working on large cities over the years, my task here is rebuilding New Mexico's largest city: Albuquerque. As the naming of the project suggests, our goal is to also put emphasis on the historic parts of the Route 66. Therefore, I'm intending to prominently feature it in my work on Albuquerque as well. For example, players will be able to drive through the city's rich downtown, which was previously not possible. I hope that players will have a great time exploring the redesigned city along with all the other parts of and around the legendary Route 66."

Johny

Hi, I'm Johny! I've been at SCS for about 5 years now. I actually joined during Covid, which was a pretty crazy time for everyone. After finishing my degree in Civil Engineering at CTU, I wanted a job where I could put what I learned to use - and that path led me to map design here at SCS. It's definitely not as technical as real civil engineering, but honestly, it's a lot less stressful and way more fun. Right now, I'm working on the Grand Canyon, and my goal is to create something our players will really enjoy. I've had the chance to see the Grand Canyon in person, and I’ll do my best to bring that experience into the game as faithfully as I can.

Terez

"Hi, my name is Terez, and I joined SCS in 2022 as a map designer. In my free time, I enjoy playing World of Warcraft, painting, and working out. I am also a big fan of the manga Berserk. I am currently working on two cities - Kingman and Flagstaff - and part of the Route 66, with a small settlement called Seligman. I really enjoy doing depot areas, truck stops, and city downtowns. I hope that players will find the Route 66 Rework exciting as much as I do.  See ya in the next upcoming projects."

Filip

"After gaining experience during the 4th phase of the California rework, I was given the opportunity to create a fresh new look for Page and US-191. Both locations come with their own challenges, but that’s exactly what makes this project so exciting. I hope you'll enjoy many memorable journeys here and experience the authentic Arizona atmosphere we strive to deliver."

Roman

"September of this year marks my third year at SCS. In that time, I gained new friends and a lot of new experiences. The greatest thing about SCS is the people I get to work with every day. Not only do we teach each other new things, but we also gain mutual understanding. As for what I am currently working on: a rework project has its unique set of challenges. Sometimes, you need to completely remove the old map and start working from the ground up while keeping the gameplay and functions the same; other times, the layout might stay the same, but all the other things change. But there are also opportunities to expand the map and add new interesting areas, and that includes some of the work I did, so I am excited to see what players will think of those. So far, working for SCS has been quite a journey, and I am looking forward to what the future holds."

Margo

"My responsibilities on this project were bringing to life Camp Verde and the surrounding area of I-17 and US 260. Semi-arid Arizona plains might seem repetitive after a while, so making them fun to explore can be a tricky task. I think I handled them well, adding a variety of biomes and sculpting techniques for the players to enjoy the mountainous views in the distance. Camp Verde was a smaller but no less complex project of mine. My intention was to create a cozy place worth a visit when you're around. Don't let it wait too long on your journeys, it's worth your while."

Tomáš

"In Arizona, I'm working on the roads away from the big cities, which is my preferred kind of task. I like open landscapes, forests, hills, mountains, and rocks. Even though an ATS rework wasn't always in the spotlight, it offered a big part of these interesting biomes, which was nice to work on. I really appreciate reworks, because from what I have experienced, not many DLC-based titles rework their base game locations up to current standard."

Mykyta

"Hi! I'm Mykyta, the vegetation specialist on the Route 66 Rework project. Right now, I’m focused on bringing the landscapes around Tucumcari to life. My work is all about shaping environments that reflect the atmosphere of this legendary road - dusty, sun-soaked, and framed by canyons. From weathered motels to wide desert plains, I want the scenery I create to feel alive and carry the spirit of Route 66."

Rob

"I loved playing PC games even as a little boy, when I played Prehistorik on a DOS computer. This passion never left me and eventually led me to SCS Software. After my hectic corporate career, I am extremely happy to be part of a wonderful team of gamers and to be able to participate in the creative process of map creation. Together with Barb, Kuba, and Miya, we are the newest additions to the map designers' team. My first job is to rework the states that the iconic Route 66 passes through. Long open roads, endless plains, neon motels, old gas stations, and a road trip across America. Route 66 – here we go!"

Barbara

"Hi, my name is Barbara. I joined SCS just a few months ago as a map designer, and I really enjoy this work. I've always played games and always will, so I'm really glad I can now also take part in creating them. I'm currently working on the rework of Arizona and Nevada. I enjoy shaping the atmosphere of the dry, sun-scorched desert that you experience while driving through it, and one day I'd love to visit these places in real life."

Jakub

"I am new to SCS, but as a long-time fan and ATS player, I am familiar with the game and am happy to finally be able to participate in map creation. I wanted to go to America mainly because of the beautiful and diverse nature and the wonderful cities. Unlike the monotonous green-gray Europe, I enjoy how the different scenery in America creates unique color palettes that are always a joy to discover and then incorporate into the game. Hopefully, the result of my work will be true and beautiful landscapes."

And that's it for today! We hope you've enjoyed meeting the map designers working on this rework project. Make sure to stay tuned for more updates from ATS by following us on X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and TikTok, or by subscribing to our newsletter! Until then, we wish you safe travels!

Texas - Route 66

If you ever plan to motor west, get your kicks on route 66! This Historic Highway was one of the first to span across the Midwest, Great Plains, and Southwest; and is arguably the United States' most famous stretch of road. So buckle up! It's time to take a trip down a portion of this iconic route in our upcoming Texas DLC for American Truck Simulator.

One of the first stretches of Route 66 can be found alongside the I-40 between San Jon and Glenrio, which is around 15 miles long. This section of the route is mostly dirt road, featuring historic relics of the past along the way, including old wooden bridges and the now ghost town of Endee. The off-road portion of the route ends in the now empty town of Glenrio; which until the 1970's, was a popular stop for travellers, until the newer highway bypassed the town. It now remains home to only the critters and the blowing tumbleweeds of the vast prairie. 

Continuing further east, travellers will come across one of the most famous locations of Route 66, the midpoint marker which can be found in the town of Adrian in Texas. From this point, it is the same distance to Chicago (Midwest) as it is Los Angeles (West Coast). Here you can also find the Midpoint Cafe, which today is still a famous stop-off point for many weary and hungry travellers. 

Another stop which hungry travellers making along this route is The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, world famous for its 72oz (2kg) steak challenge. Since its opening in 1960, the Big Texan has become a must stop on Route 66. With its distinctive architecture, it was originally placed along the mother road, but had to make the decision to relocate closer to the I-40 when the historical highway was bypassed. Today it still stands decorated with old Route 66 signage and photos and is visited by thousands of passing travellers.

And for our final stop, come and visit the one and only Cadillac Ranch! Step right up and see ten vehicles buried nose-down in a field at the same angle as the Pyramids of Giza. Confusing travellers in since 1974, it continues to be a popular attraction for many. Since it's opening, visitors have been encouraged to contribute to the public art by spray painting their own designs on the Cadillacs; thus creating an ever changing art piece. Today, spray paint can be found as far as the road itself, making the whole area quite colourful! 

Won't you get hip to this timely tip, when you finally make that Texas trip? What might you find on this old road of the nation, from restaurants to art installations. Enjoy the ride as you pass buildings with old bricks, and we are sure, you'll have a great time when you get your kicks, on route sixty-six.