How to Play American Truck Simulator in VR: Step-by-Step Guide

American Truck Simulator (ATS) lets you experience long-haul trucking across the United States. And now, with VR support, you can dive even deeper into the roads, landscapes, and cabins.
In this guide, we explain how to set up ATS in VR, what equipment you need, and how to optimize your experience.
Follow the guide!

1. Equipment and Requirements

Before hitting the road in American Truck Simulator in VR, you need to make sure you have the right gear.
Virtual reality demands more from your setup than standard gaming. Without the right equipment, your journey across the U.S. might turn into a bumpy ride — literally.

A Compatible VR Headset

To play ATS in VR, you’ll need a PC VR headset. Here are the most popular and compatible models:

• Meta Quest 2 / Quest 3 (via Oculus Link, Air Link, or Virtual Desktop)
• Valve Index
• HTC Vive / Vive Pro
• Meta Rift S
• Pico 4 (PC connection required)

If you’re using a standalone headset like the Quest series, make sure it’s properly linked to your PC.
You can connect through a high-quality USB-C cable (Oculus Link) for maximum stability or wirelessly with Air Link or Virtual Desktop, provided your Wi-Fi network is strong enough.

A PC Powerful Enough for VR

VR isn’t just visually demanding — it’s also about maintaining a high, stable frame rate to avoid motion sickness and ensure immersion.
Here’s the recommended setup for smooth trucking in VR:

• Processor: Intel Core i7-9700K / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X or better
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti / AMD RX 6700 XT minimum (RTX 3080+ preferred for top performance)
• RAM: 16GB (32GB for better multitasking and stability)
• Storage: SSD (to speed up loading times)
• Operating System: Windows 10 or Windows 11 (fully updated)

2. Installing and Configuring ATS for VR

Now that you’ve got the right gear, it’s time to hit the highway — in full virtual reality.
Unlike GTA 5, you won’t need to install a separate VR mod. American Truck Simulator has native VR support, but it requires a few setup steps.

Follow this guide carefully to ensure everything runs smoothly.

2.1 Installing the Base Game

Before setting up VR mode, you need a clean, working installation of American Truck Simulator:

• Download and Install ATS
  You can purchase the game on Steam. Only the Steam version supports the native VR mode properly.
• Launch the Game Once Normally
  Before activating VR, open the game in regular (non-VR) mode at least once.
  This allows the game to create essential configuration files.
• Check for Updates
  Make sure ATS and Steam are fully updated.
  VR support requires a recent version of the game engine.

2.2 Accessing the VR Beta Branch

ATS doesn’t automatically run in VR — you have to opt into a special beta version:

1. Open Steam Library and right-click on American Truck Simulator.
2. Select Properties ➔ go to the Betas tab.
3. In the dropdown, select:
   • oculus - Oculus + OpenVR + OpenXR support (for Meta headsets and OpenXR devices)
   • openvr - HTC Vive, Valve Index (if you prefer to stick with SteamVR)

2.3 Setting Up VR Launch Options

To make sure ATS starts in VR mode every time:

1. Still in the Properties window, go to the General tab.
2. In the Launch Options field, add the corresponding command:
   • -oculus for Oculus / Quest headsets (even via Air Link or Virtual Desktop).
   • -openvr for SteamVR devices like Vive and Index.
   • -openxr for Windows Mixed Reality headsets.

2.4 Configuring Graphics for VR Play

Once everything is installed and set up, it’s time to tune your settings for VR performance:

• Lower Shadows and Reflections: These are heavy on performance. Reducing them boosts FPS in VR.
• Adjust Scaling and Resolution: Inside your VR platform (SteamVR, Oculus software), fine-tune supersampling or resolution scaling.
• Use Adaptive Sync: If available, enable asynchronous reprojection to smooth out occasional frame drops.
• Disable Depth of Field and Motion Blur: These effects don’t translate well to VR and can cause discomfort.

3. Launching American Truck Simulator in VR Mode

Once the setup is complete, it’s time to jump behind the wheel, literally.
Launching American Truck Simulator in VR is simple if everything has been configured properly. Here’s how to start your journey.

3.1 Connect and Prepare Your VR Headset

Before starting the game, make sure your VR environment is ready:

• Power on your VR headset and connect it to your PC.
• Launch the corresponding VR platform:
  • SteamVR for most headsets (Valve Index, HTC Vive, Pico).
  • Oculus Software for Meta Quest or Rift devices (even when using Air Link or Virtual Desktop).
  • Windows Mixed Reality Portal for WMR headsets.

3.2 Start American Truck Simulator in VR

With your headset running:

1. Open Steam Library and launch American Truck Simulator normally.
2. Thanks to the beta branch and launch options previously configured, the game should now automatically start in VR mode.

Tip: If the game still opens in desktop mode, double-check your Steam Beta selection and launch options (-oculus, -openvr, or -openxr).

3.3 First-Time VR Adjustments

The first time you launch ATS in VR, you may notice some things feel a bit “off.”
Take a few minutes to fine-tune your settings:

• Reset the VR View: In the pause menu, select the option to reset your headset position to properly align yourself with the truck cockpit.
• Adjust the Seat Position: You can move forward, backward, up, and down inside the cab for a perfect driving position.
• Check Controls:
  • The game is optimized for a steering wheel + pedals setup.
  • A gamepad works fine too if you don’t have a wheel.
  • VR controllers are not fully supported — stick to traditional input devices for now.

Conclusion

Playing American Truck Simulator in VR transforms a great driving simulator into a truly immersive experience.
Sitting behind the wheel, seeing the road stretch endlessly in front of you, and feeling the scale of your truck in a 3D space takes the game to another level.

The setup process while requiring a few careful steps is straightforward.
With the right equipment, correct VR branch selection, and a few optimizations, you can achieve a smooth and realistic driving experience that makes every journey feel real.

Whether you’re delivering cargo across vast deserts or navigating tight city streets, ATS in VR offers unmatched immersion for trucking fans and VR enthusiasts alike.

Now it’s time to fire up your rig, adjust your mirrors, and hit the open road in full virtual reality.
Safe travels, driver!