Be it for business or pleasure, the open road is an alluring concept to many of us. For aspiring truck drivers and casual gamers alike, American Truck Simulator (ATS) has served as an immersive escape into the allure of the highway. But the charm of ATS may fade away by playing the same route or seeing the same scenery repeatedly. Therefore, we've compiled a list of the top five alternatives to American Truck Simulator that offer fresh driving experiences without leaving your couch.

1. Euro Truck Simulator 2

Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2) is the first on our list, and it’s produced by the same developers as American Truck Simulator. It provides a diverse range of landscapes across Europe with incredibly detailed graphics.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting

In Euro Truck Simulator 2, players start as a truck driver for hire, delivering cargo across more than 60 European cities, including London, Berlin, Rome, and many more. As you earn money and expand your proficiency, you can purchase your trucks, hire drivers, and build your transport company. The charming part of the game is its stunning detail to graphic design, accurate depiction of the European highways, and realistic driving physics. Many add-ons and mods enrich the base game, which features various truck brands.

2. Spintires

If you want a harsher, more challenging driving experience, you should look into Spintires. Focusing on rough, muddy Russian terrain and their outdated but durable trucks, Spintires is a unique off-road experience that will put your driving skills to the test.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting

Spintires is all about navigating your way through the challenging terrain of Russia's wilderness with old , Soviet-era vehicles. Rather than focusing on delivering goods on time, this game revolves around ensuring your cargo reaches its destination , period. This involves carefully driving around or through mud , water, and rocky terrain while managing your fuel and vehicle damage. It's a radically different experience from highway driving but equally thrilling.

3. Bus Simulator 18

Next on the list is Bus Simulator 18. It brings an entirely different perspective to the simulator genre focusing on city transport rather than cargo haulage. You're in charge of a public bus service and responsible for managing and expanding it.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting

Bus Simulator 18 has you navigate a realistic cityscape, following traffic rules, facing realistic weather changes, and handling different types of passengers. You can expand your bus fleet with various models and even customize them. The game offers a multiplayer mode where you can team up with friends to run your bus company. The biggest appeal is the challenge of managing a transport service and dealing with various city traffic rules and conditions.

4. MudRunner

MudRunner, the successor to Spintires, offers off-road challenges with enhanced visual graphics and physics.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting

MudRunner takes you to wild, open landscapes with only a map and compass to guide you. The game features advanced terrain deformation physics, making it a test of your driving skills across muddy, rocky terrains and rushing rivers. You have a fleet of 19 vehicles to drive, each with its unique characteristics. There are various different objectives to complete and a Sandbox mode for endless hours of fun.

5. Truck Driver

Our last pick is Truck Driver. Compared to other truck simulators, this game’s focus is on the people you meet while at the job and the stories they share.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting

Truck Driver is very story-focused. Each character you meet has their stories and notes to share, creating a more personal truck driving experience. Fulfilling contracts from various local businesses, you will grow your truck driver reputation, earning enough money to improve your rig and progress through the story. It's less about the actual driving but offers an engaging narrative and character interaction.

Each of these games offers unique twists on the truck driving simulator experience. Whether you prefer to drive around charming European cities, wrestle with muddy terrains or run your bus service in a bustling city, there's always something interesting to play outside American Truck Simulator. Enjoy the journey!