As weird as they may seem to some players, truck simulators have a lot to offer. Though the tasks may seem mundane, the truck simulator genre offers an undeniable level of realism and immersion. And at the end of the day, what’s more important in video games than being totally immersed?
Related
8 Best Train Simulator Games
Become the master conductor over the most elaborate railways.
Below are eight of the best games you can find in the genre. Each one has a lot to offer in terms of environments, vehicle customization and the complexity of controls that trick sim fans have come to expect from this surprisingly diverse genre. Not to mention, they all offer a level of coziness you can’t find in drift-kart or racing games.
Updated on April 10, 2025 by William Quick: Even though vehicle mechanics have become second-nature to any game that has worlds with lots of space, there are times when we want to play something that is all about vehicles. There’s no shortage of options, but sometimes we are urged to drive the lesser-known vehicles that most speedsters would likely zoom past. For a hefty, powerful, and challenging ride, we can turn to 18-wheeler trucks to take to the roads. These are some of the best truck-driving games you can find.
11
18 Wheels of Steel Series
Sometimes, you come across an entry in a series only to realize that it has been pumping out titles longer than you realize. The 18 Wheels of Steel series is just one of them and has been creating truck-based experiences since Steam first started to hit its stride. Each one focuses on driving 18-wheeler trucks in some EXTREME conditions.
Even though only two entries have “Extreme” in their titles, each game in the series throws you into the driver’s seat of giant trucks with a cargo and a mission. Whether you drive from afar or behind the wheel, this truck will be your pride and joy as you take it on and off the road through some of the most dangerous conditions.
10
Dustland Delivery
At one point or another, we all mused about what sort of things we’d like to have if we ended up in a post-apocalyptic world. However, having an 18-wheeler truck was probably not at the top of the list, even though it would be handy in a crisis. That’s what Dustland Delivery is all about: you and your truck in the wasteland.
On top of just getting your truck safely across the land, it presents an opportunity to thrive. With all that cargo space and sturdy machinery, you can start building a delivery business that will grow as long as people need supplies and materials. You’ll also need to recruit a crew to help handle everything and protect the truck from those who’d do anything to get the keys.
9
Scania Truck Driving Simulator
If you’re looking for truck-based games, chances are you’re a truck enthusiast, which means you will understand why Scania Truck Driving Simulator is significant. Made by the same folks behind the Euro Truck Simulator 2, this title has you driving the iconic Scania series of trucks all across the land.
It prides itself on accuracy and authenticity by presenting various concrete and sandbox challenges to test your trucking abilities. It’s focused entirely on the driving and maneuvering side of things so that you can develop an appreciation for those who drive these things every day. It’ll also link you to its community of like-minded truck fans.
8
MudRunner
As implied by the name, MudRunner is a game all about getting mucky and dirty. Though the most famous truck simulator games are all about driving through more urban centers, MudRunner has you engaging in a highly realistic off-road experience.
Related
Simulator Games We Still Haven’t Seen Yet
Simulator games let you live out your wildest dreams. While we have many games that cover popular themes, there’s still many missing from the library.
Being quite unique to the truck simulator genre, you can play solo or cooperatively as you explore multiple wild outdoor regions, each one prone to its own night and day cycle. MudRunner is also very mod-friendly, so you can enhance the experience in ways that go beyond conventional imagination.
7
Garbage Truck Simulator
Out of all the major truck variants we see on a normal basis, the garbage truck is by far one of the most common ones. If you’ve ever wondered what it must be like to be a garbage collector, now you can with this unique spin on the truck sim genre.
Though this isn’t the kind of game that maximizes truck variety or customization, it does offer the high level of comfort and coziness most players seek out in this genre. You’ll be driving through suburban neighborhoods collecting old furniture, as well as parking near restaurants to get rid of their trash full of old food. If you love the feeling of accomplishment after cleaning up, this is the sim for you.
6
Fire Truck Simulator
Unlike garbage trucks, fire trucks are not the type of vehicle you hope to see often. Despite this, the Fire Truck Simulator offers a level of excitement that can satisfy those looking for a little more edge and oomph in their truck sims.
Fire Truck Simulator has elements of Crazy Taxi that, though not entirely realistic, add to the sense of impending emergency and urgency that one would expect comes with being a firefighter. With 10 different levels, it’s a great way to experience the thrill of being the closest thing a city has to having a superhero.
5
SnowRunner
If driving the most powerful vehicles through the most harsh weather conditions sounds like the type of challenge you’ve been looking for, enter SnowRunner. This is one of the more addictive truck simulator games out there thanks to dozens of vehicles associated with real brands, like Ford and Chevrolet.
Truck sims are known for their advanced physics engines, and SnowRunner delivers here. The wind, mud, snow, and rain are all realistic, giving you a taste of what it’s really like to be delivering lumber across dirt roads and icy ponds.
4
Hard Truck 2: King of the Road
Though Hard Truck 2 is the oldest game on the list, it is a classic for a reason. Hard Truck 2 helped pioneer the truck simulator genre nearly a quarter-century ago, and should be on the radar of anyone who considers themselves a major connoisseur of this genre.
Related
8 Game Sequels That Are Better As Standalone Games
These games would be much better received if they weren’t attached to an existing series.
This is the type of game you want to play when you want to get lost for hours on a big rig adventure. The graphics are simple, but they undeniably come with a nostalgic charm that today’s truck sims simply cannot replicate.
3
OMSI 2
OMSI is technically a bus simulator rather than a truck simulator, but it is consistently considered one of the best titles in the genre due to its dedication to realism and interesting control schemes, so it would be a crime to not include it on the list. OMSI stands for Omnibus Simulator, and OMSI 2 improves over the original in every way.
For one thing, the visuals of the inside of the bus are unbelievably detailed in first-person view. Every level is modeled and inspired after real cities, which adds to the realism as you go from bus stop to bus stop, picking up passengers. Whereas most truck sims have you delivering materials or garbage, the idea of transporting people adds to the coziness and realism for many players.
2
Euro Truck Simulator 2
For many people, Euro Truck Simulator 2 was their first introduction to the truck sim genre. Whether as an avid player or as an avid watcher of streams and playthroughs, Euro Truck Sim 2 took the gaming world by storm as it made this once niche style of gameplay remarkably mainstream.
This game excels in many ways in the genre thanks to its open-world design. The level of realism and customization is still incredible several years later. Some would go as far as to call it one of the best open-world games ever made, period. Feel free to try out the free demo if you don’t believe it.
1
American Truck Simulator
If you are looking for a truck sim that offers unparalleled realism and attention to detail, the American Truck Simulator is the best choice out there. It has a lot in common with Euro Truck Simulator 2 but improves upon the locales, mod support, and overall visual presentation.
American Truck Simulator comes with many expansions and DLCs, and many of them are completely free. You can drive across the states of Texas, Arkansas, Arizona, and Oregon, enjoying each one for its utterly unique urban and rural charms. If you need a truck sim that can last you a lifetime with its sheer abundance of content and truck models, this is the one to choose.
Related
15 Best Military Simulators
Are you looking for the best Milsims with tactical decisions, realistic gunplay, and extensive graphics? Look no further.
