Updated October 23, 2026: American Truck Simulator 1.62 has been in open beta on Steam since October 20, 2026 (public_beta branch); the stable version is still 1.61 and SCS Software hasn’t given a date for the final 1.62. The headline feature is the new Road Trip tourist boards, including a special Route 66 board for its centennial; the update also brings the improved material system on the Volvo VNL 2025, which now also appears in traffic, the new Goodyear look and 11 new songs on the Escape radio. If you play with mods like Reforma, wait for the stable version: it’s built for 1.61.
Will your mods survive 1.62? Upload your log here and we’ll tell you which ones already confirm the new version and which ones don’t yet. While the beta lasts, you’ll see your mods checked against the latest stable version.
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Official ATS 1.62 changes
Changelog published by SCS Software on its blog on October 20, 2026:
| Feature | Type | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Road Trip: new tourist boards | Map | One new board in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Washington and Louisiana, and two in Nebraska; each completed board gives you a postcard |
| Cross-state Route 66 board | Map | Runs through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California; with all of those expansions and every visit, you get a special postcard and a Route 66 air freshener |
| Improved material system: Volvo VNL 2025 | Trucks | Better interior lighting and better reaction of each material to light |
| Volvo VNL 2025 in traffic | Trucks | The truck shows up among the AI vehicles |
| Goodyear Tires Pack | Trucks | The DLC’s paint jobs switch to Goodyear’s current logo |
| In-game radio: Escape | Sound | Tracks with licensing issues are removed and 11 songs are added; it’s the only station that’s safe for streaming |
| Version | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|
| ATS 1.61 | Stable (what Steam installs by default) | Since 09-17-2026 |
| ATS 1.62 | Open beta (public_beta) |
Since 10-20-2026 |
| ATS 1.62 stable | Not announced | SCS hasn’t given a date |
Source: SCS Software’s official blog. Without all the Route 66 expansions you can visit the locations in the states you own, but you won’t get the final reward. SCS warns that the beta may have bugs, instability or crashes.
How to join the 1.62 open beta
The update is free for anyone who owns the game on Steam:
- Open Steam and go to your Library.
- Right-click American Truck Simulator and choose Properties.
- Open the Game Versions & Betas tab (in the Spanish client, «Versiones del juego y betas»).
- Under Beta Participation, select
public_beta. - Wait for Steam to download the update. If the branch doesn’t show up with its correct name, restart Steam.
Bugs are reported in the beta section of SCS’s official forum. If you use mods, try the beta on a new profile so you don’t put your save at risk.
How to go back to 1.61
- First of all, back up the
Documents\American Truck Simulator\profilesfolder (andsteam_profilesif you use Steam Cloud). - In Steam, right-click American Truck Simulator, Properties, Game Versions & Betas.
- Under Beta Participation, choose the no-beta option («None», or «Ninguna» in Spanish).
- Steam downloads 1.61 stable. If a profile won’t load, restore the backup you made before joining the beta.
A profile saved in 1.62 may cause problems in 1.61; SCS doesn’t go into detail in the announcement, so make the backup first. Once 1.62 goes stable, Steam usually offers branches with older versions for anyone who needs them.
Which mods work in ATS 1.62
SCS doesn’t publish a list and points to its modding wiki. For players in Mexico and Latin America, here’s what matters:
- Reforma: version 3.0.1.161 is for 1.61 and needs Reforma Mega Resources of the same version. To drive in Mexico, stay on 1.61 until Team Reforma releases the 1.62 version.
- Mapkalo (Colombia) is offered for 1.61 on its official website; same story with the beta: wait for the map update.
- Other big maps, like Coast to Coast or ProMods Canada, are currently for 1.61 and usually get updated once the version is stable.
- Simple mods (paint jobs, sounds, light graphics tweaks) usually keep working, even if the Mod Manager warns that they’re for a different version.
- TruckersMP only works with the version listed on its download page (currently one older than 1.61), so the beta is no use for playing there.
- Convoy: all players need the same version and the same mods.
In the meantime, the reference is our list of mods compatible with ATS 1.61. When you update, check your mod load order.
When is 1.62 stable coming out?
SCS hasn’t given a date. It’ll announce it on its blog, and Steam will update the game for anyone who isn’t on the beta. Until then, 1.61 is the default version.
Is the beta worth joining?
Yes, if you play without mods and enjoy tourist boards: Route 66 is the flashiest content. No, if your save depends on Reforma, Mapkalo, other big maps or TruckersMP.
More ATS guides: how to install mods, American Truck Simulator DLC, ATS with Mexico and best maps.
Frequently asked questions
When does ATS 1.62 come out?
The open beta came out on October 20, 2026. The stable version has no date yet: SCS will announce it on its blog.
Does Reforma work in ATS 1.62?
As of October 23, 2026, Reforma 3.0.1.161 is for 1.61. If you want to play the Mexico map, stay on the stable version until the compatible release comes out.
What do I need for the Route 66 board?
All the expansions for the states it runs through (Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico; California and Arizona come with the game) and a visit to every one of its locations. Without all of them, you can visit the ones in your states, but you won’t earn the reward.
Is 1.62 free?
Yes. It’s a free update. The Goodyear change affects the paint jobs from the Goodyear Tires Pack DLC, which is sold separately.
How do I go back to 1.61?
In Steam, open the game’s Properties, Game Versions & Betas, and choose the no-beta option. Back up your profiles folder first.