US-385 will be one of the main scenic roads through the Black Hills in the upcoming South Dakota DLC for American Truck Simulator. The route moves away from the wide interstate driving often associated with ATS and takes players through forests, hills and exposed rock.
SCS Software’s first preview shows a road built around the landscape rather than a direct run between major cities. That focus on exploration will feel familiar to players who enjoy large game worlds and community content such as Skyrim Mods, where new locations and environmental changes can make travelling through familiar areas interesting again. In ATS, US-385 should be a route where the bends, elevation changes and roadside scenery matter as much as the destination.
A mountain road through western South Dakota
The confirmed section of US-385 passes through dense pine forest and areas filled with igneous and metamorphic rock formations. Rolling hills and mountain views appear throughout the route, giving the road a stronger sense of enclosure than the open plains found farther east.
Drivers may also see bison near the road. Their appearance has not been described as a regular event, but the preview confirms that herds can be visible while travelling through the area.
A slower style of driving
The US-385 American Truck Simulator route looks suited to players who enjoy scenic roads and more involved steering. Forested curves and changing terrain naturally require a different rhythm than a straight highway across flat ground.
That does not mean the road will be difficult in every section. The main difference is likely to be the amount of visual change packed into the drive. Tree cover, rock faces, lake views and open mountain sections can all appear within a relatively short distance.
Pactola Lake along the route
One confirmed point beside US-385 is Pactola Lake. The road passes the largest reservoir in the Black Hills, and the in-game version includes a nearby visitor center with a view across the water and surrounding forest.
The lake gives players a recognizable point along the highway without turning the route into a collection of unrelated landmarks. It fits directly into the landscape and provides a clear break between the wooded and rocky stretches of the drive.
US-385 is only one part of the South Dakota road network, but it may become a popular route for players who avoid fast travel and prefer to see each new map area from the cab. The DLC is still listed with a release date to be announced, so its full length and connections have not yet been confirmed.
