American Truck Simulator on Linux

Q: Where is the ATS mod folder on Linux?

~/.local/share/American Truck Simulator/mod/. Turn mods on in the Mod Manager on the profile screen.

SCS Software's American trucking sim runs natively on Linux, is Steam Deck Verified and has an official Linux dedicated server for convoys. Here is how it scores, how to set it up and host it, what is new, and what developers can learn from SCS. Updated November 2026. Part of our Linux games list.

A truck crossing the Golden Gate Bridge — American Truck Simulator, running natively on Linux · Official screenshot, SCS Software

01Scorecard

American Truck Simulator on Linux: the scorecard

Native Linux build

Yes. Proton is not needed.

Steam Deck

Verified.

Dedicated server

Official, with a Linux build (Steam app 2239530).

Engine

SCS Software's own engine, shared with Euro Truck Simulator 2.

Current version

1.61 (September 15, 2026). 1.62 is in open beta since October 20, 2026.

Newest DLC

South Dakota (September 24, 2026) and Road Trip: Ford (September 29, 2026).

Released

February 2, 2016.

DLC

Around 60 on Steam: states, trucks, trailers and paint jobs.

Reviews

Metacritic 76.

Verdict

Flawless. Native, Verified, and you can host your own convoys on Linux.

02Tests

How it does on our four tests

Runs natively or flawlessly

Pass. Native Linux build from SCS.

Steam Deck Verified

Pass.

Hosts on Linux

Pass. Official dedicated convoy server for Linux.

Survives updates

Pass. Every update ships on Linux, with an open beta first.

Four out of four.

03Setup

Installing and requirements

Buy and install on Steam. The native Linux build is used automatically.
SCS lists Ubuntu 14.04 64-bit as the minimum; any current 64-bit distribution works.
Try new versions early from the public beta branch.

Minimum

Quad core 3.3 GHz, 8 GB RAM, Intel HD 630 or similar with 2 GB VRAM, 25 GB disk.

Recommended

Quad core 4.6 GHz, 12 GB RAM, GeForce GTX 1660 or similar, 25 GB disk.

Extras

Steam Workshop mods and a built-in level editor.

A patriotic tanker truck passing a small town — Small-town America · Official screenshot, SCS Software

04Deck

On the Steam Deck

Valve rates it Verified.
The game supports the Steam Input API, so the Deck controls work out of the box.
Steam Cloud syncs your career between the Deck and your PC.
Remote Play Together lets friends join from their own devices.

The view from a modern truck cab — Cab view on the highway · Official screenshot, SCS Software

05Hosting

Official dedicated server on Linux

SCS ships an official dedicated convoy server with a Linux build. You do not need to own the game to run it.

Install the American Truck Simulator Dedicated Server (Steam app 2239530) from your Steam library tools, or with SteamCMD using an anonymous login. SteamCMD does not auto-update it, so update it yourself.
Start it once with server_launch.sh (next to the server binary). It creates its home folder and a default server_config.sii.
In the game, set uset g_console "1" in config.cfg, load your map, open the console with ~ and run export_server_packages.
Copy the resulting server_packages.sii and server_packages.dat into the server's home folder. They carry your map, DLC and mod setup.
Start the server again. Players join through the session browser or by the search ID it prints.

Players

Up to 8 per server.

Ports

connection_dedicated_port 27015 and query_dedicated_port 27016 by default. Forward both TCP and UDP. For LAN, the query port must be 27015 to 27020.

Persistent ID

Create a Steam game server token with the game's app ID, not the server's, and set it as server_logon_token.

Moderators

List Steam IDs in moderator_list. In chat they can use /set_time, /set_rain_factor and /help.

Home folder

On Linux, move it with the XDG_DATA_HOME environment variable.

Several servers

Add -nosingle, and give each its own ports and token.

Logs

server.log.txt and server.crash.txt in the home folder. Stop with Ctrl+C.

Without the Steam client you may see "SteamAPI_Init() failed". Use server_launch.sh, or symlink steamclient.so from steamcmd/linux64/ into ~/.steam/sdk64/. The server cannot read Steam Workshop mods; everything comes from the server_packages files.

06News

What is new

1.61 (Sep 15, 2026)

Proximity Exploration for discovering the map as you drive, plus an improved material system. The multi-function display and in-game menu were held back for a later update.

South Dakota DLC (Sep 24, 2026)

13 cities including Sioux Falls, Rapid City and Pierre, 21 towns such as Hot Springs, Wall and Sturgis, about 3,000 miles of roads linking Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska and Iowa, and landmarks like Mount Rushmore and the Corn Palace.

Road Trip: Ford DLC (Sep 29, 2026)

Car Mode, with the 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback, 2023 F-150, 2023 Bronco and 1998 to 2012 Crown Victoria.

1.62 open beta (Oct 20, 2026)

A Road Trip tourist boards update and more material system work.

In development

North Dakota, Indiana, British Columbia and a rework of Nevada.

A truck on a winding mountain road — Mountain roads in the West · Official screenshot, SCS Software

07Files

Files, profiles and mods

What	Where
User folder	`~/.local/share/American Truck Simulator/`
Profiles	`profiles/` for local profiles, `steam_profiles/` for ones synced with Steam Cloud
Mods	`mod/`: drop `.scs` or `.zip` mod files here
Settings and log	`config.cfg` and `game.log.txt`
Screenshots	`screenshot/`

Get mods from the Steam Workshop, or copy files into the mod/ folder.
Turn them on in the Mod Manager on the profile screen, and drag them into the right order.
Back up your profile before big updates: copy its folder from profiles/ or steam_profiles/.

The .local folder is hidden. Press Ctrl+H in most file managers to show it.

08Wheels

Steering wheels and pedals on Linux

Wheels are the one part of trucking on Linux that can take some setup. Most Logitech wheels are supported by drivers built into the Linux kernel, so they work when you plug them in.

Oversteer

A free Linux app, on Flathub as io.github.berarma.Oversteer. It sets rotation range, force feedback strength and pedal options, and shows which wheels it supports.

In the game

Go to Options, then Controls, and pick or create a wheel profile. Map each pedal and button there.

Steam Input

If the wheel acts strangely, open the game’s Properties, then Controller, and turn Steam Input off for this game.

Other brands

Support for Fanatec, Thrustmaster and Moza varies. Check Oversteer’s supported list before you buy.

09Devs

For developers: what SCS gets right

Native Linux from day one, on every update and every DLC.
Open betas before every update, on all platforms.
An official Linux dedicated server with clear docs on the SCS modding wiki.
Mod tools built in: a level editor and Steam Workshop support.
One engine for two games. ATS and ETS2 share technology, so Linux work pays off twice.

10Gallery

Screenshots

Las Vegas at dusk — Las Vegas · Official screenshot, SCS Software

A logging truck in a redwood forest — Redwood forests · Official screenshot, SCS Software

An oversize load — Oversize loads · Official screenshot, SCS Software

A downtown street with skyscrapers — Downtown deliveries · Official screenshot, SCS Software

A classic truck cab interior — A classic cab · Official screenshot, SCS Software

The truck paint customisation screen — Custom paint jobs · Official screenshot, SCS Software

A truck at a depot — Depots · Official screenshot, SCS Software

The job market and map — The job market · Official screenshot, SCS Software

?Q&A

Quick answers

Does American Truck Simulator run on Linux?

Yes. It has a native Linux build on Steam.

Is American Truck Simulator Steam Deck Verified?

Yes.

Can I host an American Truck Simulator server on Linux?

Yes. SCS ships an official dedicated convoy server (Steam app 2239530) with a Linux build, for up to 8 players.

What is the newest American Truck Simulator DLC?

South Dakota, released September 24, 2026, and Road Trip: Ford, released September 29, 2026.

Where is the ATS mod folder on Linux?

~/.local/share/American Truck Simulator/mod/. Turn mods on in the Mod Manager on the profile screen.

Do steering wheels work with American Truck Simulator on Linux?

Most Logitech wheels work out of the box. The Oversteer app sets rotation and force feedback. Other brands vary.

Added November 2026: Linux user folder layout for SCS games; Oversteer from Flathub; wheel setup from the game’s Controls options.