It’s almost time to hit the road again as American Truck Simulator’s Missouri expansion gets a release date

If you’ve been itching for an excuse to get back out on the road again – by which I mean to sit in front of the computer playing American Truck Simulator again – there’s some good news. Developer SCS Software has announced its latest state expansion – this one providing access to the highways and byways of Missouri – launches next Thursday, 3rd April.

Missouri, if you haven’t been keeping tabs, brings American Truck Simulator’s current US state tally up to 17, following on from Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, and Arkansas. It’s not the only expansion waiting in the wings, either; SCS has also previously confirmed it’s working in Illinois, Iowa, and Lousiana – although these are further out.

Back to Missouri, though, American Truck Simulator’s digital rendition of the Show Me State promises “vibrant cities” – including Saint Louis and its iconic Gateway Arch – as well as “diverse and beautiful” vistas, “from the rolling Ozark hills to charming small towns and vast farmlands.”

“Experience the beauty of Missouri’s sunrise and sunset as you drive through this picturesque landscape,” SCS writes over on the expansion’s Steam page. “New depots and underground warehouses typical for this state add depth and realism to your trucking adventures. Engage in the heartbeat of Missouri’s agriculture, transporting farm produce amidst fresh crops and rural vibes. Whether you’re navigating urban streets in Saint Louis or cruising through serene countryside, Missouri offers a diverse and exciting trucking experience.”

Ahead of Missouri’s 3rd April arrival on Steam, SCS Software has released American Truck Simulator’s 1.54 update. This introduces an overhauled cargo system – which the developer says “improves efficiency [and] saves disk space and memory by eliminating the need to store countless pre-made combinations” – and there’s a more intuitive truck adjustment system, making it easier to tweak your in-cabin experience.

That’s on top of NVIDIA PhysX physics implementation, which promises “more precise collision detection results and more robust behaviour during scenarios involving collisions”, plus Driving Academy awards, and more – as detailed in SCS’ patch notes.