In today's blog, we would like to show you the custom depots and completely new companies you will deliver cargo to and from in our upcoming Illinois DLC for American Truck Simulator, so let's take a look!

Illinois has one of the most diverse economies in the United States and a long history of manufacturing, producing a wide range of goods. It is also a major producer of non-electrical machinery, such as industrial and construction equipment, which is among its most important export industries.

As always, we wanted to reflect the real world when choosing depots for this map expansion, which is why you'll see representations of these industries in our newly created companies, as well as in our established custom depots. One of them is Antlion, a large construction machinery factory in Peoria[blog.scssoft.com]. From there, you can take vehicles straight from the production line to the new dealer, GroundBreaker, in Quincy.

If you're a fan of boats, you're in for a treat. With Lake Michigan being a popular recreation spot in the state, you'll also be able to transport boats to or from the new Aqua Vista marinas in Marion[blog.scssoft.com] and Chicago, as well as the already established Rock Port logistics company in Peoria.

And we couldn't forget about the Chicago International Airport, one of the busiest in the whole world. In our game, it's represented by a landmark cargo terminal, carefully recreated to match the real one, where players can load cargo onto aircraft. The area also includes a fuel station, where you can transport jet fuel. You will also be able to deliver cargo straight into a massive ULTIMUS transport plane!

In the Missouri DLC, we introduced underground warehouses[blog.scssoft.com], which offer an unusual experience of transporting cargo below the surface. Following that, you will be able to find the new UnderCity storage in Chicago, a big underground depot used for storing a wide range of products for the city's needs. Another one can be found near Quincy[blog.scssoft.com], a branch of the Terrastore company, which you are already familiar with from Missouri.

Agriculture is just as important to the state as manufacturing. Illinois is home to around 75,000 farms that cover nearly three-quarters of its land. Farmers produce large amounts of soybeans, corn, and dairy products, as well as raising pigs and cattle, helping supply food across the U.S. and around the world. That is why you will find plenty of custom depot farms around the cities of Marion, Champaign[blog.scssoft.com], Rockford[blog.scssoft.com], and Effingham[blog.scssoft.com].

Alongside these farms, you will also come across large Flavorfair grain elevator custom depots in East St. Louis[blog.scssoft.com] and Quincy. These facilities play an important role in the agricultural supply chain, collecting and storing grain from nearby farms before it is transported onward for processing or distribution.

But that's not all. If you're looking to haul something a bit heavier, be sure to check out the quarries around Chicago and Rockford. You can also head to the custom timber harvest depot near Marion, where logging operations keep a steady supply of timber ready for transport.

If you are eager to visit these industries in the upcoming Illinois DLC, make sure to add this map expansion to your Steam wishlist!

Remember to stay tuned for more American Truck Simulator news by following us on X/Twitter, Facebook[www.facebook.com], Instagram[www.instagram.com], Bluesky[bsky.app], and YouTube. We would also really appreciate it if you could sign up for our newsletter[www.scssoft.com]. We will see you on the road!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3486960/American_Truck_Simulator__Illinois/

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[route66centennial.org] 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. https://store.steampowered.com/app/270880/American_Truck_Simulator/