Exploring the New Louisiana DLC in Full 360° — A Chill Drive Through the Pelican State
When you first roll into Louisiana in American Truck Simulator, the entire atmosphere hits you at once. The air feels thicker, heavier, almost swampy — and if you’re wearing headphones, you’ll even catch the birds going wild around the weigh stations. There’s something very “Louisiana” about hearing pelicans and other coastal birds before you even get moving. It sets the tone in a way no screenshot ever could.
This drive is part of my continuing coverage of ATS’s upcoming Louisiana DLC, which I’ve been exploring through their early access program. Everything you’ll see in the video is still work-in-progress — lighting, vegetation, textures, and certain city details may improve by the final release. But even in its current state, this map is already loaded with atmosphere.
THE VIDEO https://youtu.be/wnyquiEgNrk
A Quick Reminder for New Viewers
If you’re new around here, welcome to the community! Many of you have been following my CDL Practice series, where I’m learning to drive a real semi-truck in real life. That series is growing fast and I’m excited to share more of that journey soon.
This Louisiana video is filmed entirely in full 360°, so you can experience the drive exactly how I see it in my room, inside my rig.
-
On your phone: swipe left, right, up, or down
-
On desktop: click and drag
-
In VR: sit right inside the truck with me
Nobody else in the ATS or sim trucking world is doing 360° content at this level, and I want these drives to feel like you’re right there with me — not just watching from the outside.
The First Stretch: Humidity, Wetlands, and That Louisiana Mood
Before we even reach the small backroad, Louisiana’s atmosphere takes over.
You get long, quiet stretches of road, warm air, hazy lighting, and more water than land in some places. Ponds, marshes, swamp pockets — it’s all around you. And the soundscape is fantastic: birds, bugs, ambient hums… the kind of environmental noise that makes the whole world feel alive.
This part of the drive is slow on purpose. Louisiana isn’t a state you rush through — you breathe it in.
The Hidden Side Roads
After a few minutes of cruising, I turn onto a narrow side road. These roads are the soul of the Pelican State. They’re overgrown, quiet, and incredibly immersive.
Moss and vines lean into the pavement, tree branches hang low, and the whole road feels like nature is slowly taking it back. If you enjoy slower, scenic driving, this section of the DLC shines.
Rolling Toward New Orleans
Eventually the landscape opens up again, and that’s when the city begins to announce itself.
You’ll start to notice:
-
Wider highways
-
Heavier traffic
-
Bigger bridges
-
And then — the New Orleans skyline
The devs nailed the approach. Even from far out, the Superdome stands out loud and clear. Between the modern buildings, you can spot iconic church silhouettes poking up — a signature part of the real-life skyline.
Driving elevated highways above water with the skyline right beside you feels incredibly authentic and cinematic. It’s easily one of the most memorable approaches in ATS yet.
And yes — all of this is still early access. It’s only going to get better.
The West/South Region
The western/southern side of the state . The vibe here is calmer and more open.
Expect:
-
Long roads between wetlands
-
Tall grass moving in the breeze
-
Fishing and farming industries
-
Logging areas
-
Oil pumps
-
Slower, peaceful cruising
This half of the state gives you space to breathe. Louisiana’s delta influences everything — the land curves around water, not the other way around.
A Perfect State for 360° Trucking
Louisiana’s combination of nature, water, fog, and city energy makes it the perfect playground for 360° content. You can look behind you, out the passenger window, up at the elevated bridges — and actually feel like you’re inside the cab with me.
Whether you’re watching on your phone or in a VR headset, this one is meant to be experienced, not just watched.
Support the Developers
If you love what you see in this early look, make sure to wishlist the American Truck Simulator — Louisiana DLC on Steam.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3012580/American_Truck_Simulator__Louisiana/
It helps the developers tremendously and ensures you get notified the moment it goes live.
Final Thoughts
This is one of the most atmospheric states ATS has ever added.
From swampy side roads to the Superdome skyline, Louisiana feels alive, moody, and full of character.
And filming it in 360° made it even better.
If you enjoyed this drive, check out the video on my YouTube channel — and stick around. More CDL Practice episodes, more 360° trucking drives, and more ATS content are on the way.