SCS Software launched American Truck Simulator in February 2016 with California and Nevada, then spent the next decade adding states one map expansion at a time, from Arizona through Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Illinois. The world runs at roughly 1:20 scale, so a Los Angeles to Denver haul takes real hours rather than real days, and the 80,000 pound federal gross weight limit governs what you can legally put behind the cab. You start as a hired driver taking quick jobs, and end up running a company with garages, hired drivers and a fleet you specified engine by engine.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary equipment | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your build's key combinations |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary equipment | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
California
Key resources: Dense job market, short profitable runs between major cities Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Peterbilt 389 upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Texas
Key resources: High paying long hauls, oil and industrial freight Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Peterbilt 389 upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Wyoming
Key resources: Scenic long runs, mining and energy cargo Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Peterbilt 389 upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Montana
Key resources: Mountain routes, timber and agricultural loads Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Kenworth W900 max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Oregon
Key resources: Forestry freight, coastal and mountain scenery Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Kenworth W900 max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (California to Texas)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials, since you'll need them later
- Focus on Peterbilt 389 once accessible
Mid Game (Wyoming)
- Push Peterbilt 389 to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Kenworth W900
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Montana to Oregon)
- Max out Kenworth W900. This is your top priority
- Complete your build's core gear set
- Craft endgame consumables
- Optional: upgrade secondary equipment for variety
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple equipment: Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials: Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear: Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring Wyoming farming: This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early: Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- Buy your own trailer before buying a second truck. Owning the trailer means you keep the full delivery fee on freight market jobs instead of splitting it, and that difference funds the rest of the company faster than another cab ever will.
- Farm Wyoming during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build. Some classes farm faster in certain areas
More American Truck Simulator Guides
- American Truck Simulator American Truck Simulator Overview
- American Truck Simulator Best Builds
- American Truck Simulator Tier List
- American Truck Simulator Walkthrough
- American Truck Simulator Beginner's Guide
- American Truck Simulator Tips & Tricks
- American Truck Simulator Weapons Guide
- American Truck Simulator Combat Guide
- American Truck Simulator Boss Guide
- American Truck Simulator Maps & Locations
- American Truck Simulator Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy American Truck Simulator, check out these related guides:
- Stardew Valley Crafting Guide: simulation game with similar mechanics
- Satisfactory Crafting Guide: simulation game with similar mechanics
- The Sims 4 Crafting Guide: simulation game with similar mechanics
