Euro Truck Simulator 2 Guide: Pro Tips, Best Builds & Hidden Secrets
Key Takeaways
- Start with a used truck, not a loan. The Iveco Stralis is a reliable budget pick that lets you keep 100% of profits.
- Quick Jobs are your best friend for the first 5-10 hours—free fuel, no damage costs, and you learn routes without risk.
- Unlock all map expansions gradually; don't buy every DLC at once. Focus on Scandinavia or Iberia for high-paying contracts.
- Hidden roads and garages can cut travel times by 15-20%. Learn the secret routes in Switzerland and the UK.
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Getting Started: Your First 10 Hours in Euro Truck Simulator 2
So you just installed Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2), fired up the engine, and now you're staring at a map of Europe wondering where to go. I've been there—clocking over 800 hours across multiple profiles. Let me save you the mistakes I made.
The First Decision: Loan vs. Used Truck
The game offers you a €100,000 loan at 8% interest. Don't take it. I know it looks tempting, but here's the math: that loan costs you €8,000 per year in interest, and your first truck payments will eat up half your earnings. Instead, take a Quick Job (the option where you drive someone else's truck). You'll earn about €800-1,200 per job, with zero maintenance costs, no fuel bills, and no insurance.
After 5-6 hours of Quick Jobs, you'll have around €30,000-40,000. That's when you buy your first truck. My recommendation: the Iveco Stralis Hi-Way (used, 2012 model, around €25,000). It's not flashy, but it's reliable, cheap on fuel (about 28-32 L/100km), and parts are everywhere. Avoid the Scania R730—it's a beast but costs €180,000 new, and the fuel bill will bankrupt you early game.
Best Starter Truck Comparison
| Truck | Used Price | Fuel Economy | Best For |
| ------- | ------------ | -------------- | ---------- |
| Iveco Stralis Hi-Way | €25,000-35,000 | 28-32 L/100km | Beginners, long hauls |
| DAF XF 105 | €30,000-40,000 | 26-30 L/100km | Balanced all-rounder |
| MAN TGX | €28,000-38,000 | 27-31 L/100km | Tight city deliveries |
| Mercedes-Benz Actros (used) | €35,000-50,000 | 25-29 L/100km | Comfort + power |
My pick: The DAF XF 105. It's the sweet spot between price and performance. You'll hit 90 km/h easily, and the turning radius is decent for those nightmare roundabouts in the UK.
Making Money Fast: The Route Map
Here's where most beginners screw up: they take the shortest job. Don't. You want jobs that pay €75-100 per 100 km. Here's how to find them:
- Open the job market and sort by "distance" descending.
- Look for jobs 800-1,200 km long (e.g., from Poland to Italy, or Germany to Spain).
- Check the cargo weight. Heavy loads (20+ tons) pay 40% more per km, but they also require better brakes and slow down your acceleration.
Pro tip: The best money-maker early game is transporting chemicals or machinery from Warsaw to Barcelona. That route averages €1,800-2,200 per trip, and you can do it in about 1.5 hours real-time (assuming you don't crash).
Hidden Secrets: Roads and Garages
ETS2 has several unmarked roads that save serious time. Here are three:
1. Switzerland shortcut (Bern to Milan): Take the A2 past the Gotthard tunnel, then exit at Airolo. There's an unmarked road that cuts through the mountains, saving 20 minutes. Look for a dirt path near the rest stop.
2. UK bypass (Dover to Felixstowe): Instead of taking the A2 through London (which is traffic hell), take the M25 at junction 30. It's longer on paper but 15% faster in practice.
3. Germany hidden garage: Near Stuttgart, there's a garage behind the factory that costs 40% less than the city garage. It's marked by a green fence with a "For Sale" sign. Buy it for €60,000 instead of €100,000.
Boss Guides: Yes, There Are Bosses
Wait, boss fights in a trucking sim? Not literally, but there are four "boss" challenges that test your skills:
1. The Alpine Pass (Stelvio Pass, Italy): 48 hairpin turns, 2,757 meters elevation. You need a truck with retarder and engine brake. Use the Scania R500 (or anything with 500+ hp). Tips: Drop to 2nd gear, keep revs under 2,000, and never use cruise control. Real speed: 15 km/h. Expected reward: €2,500.
2. The UK Roundabout (Magic Roundabout, Swindon): Five mini-roundabouts in a circle. Absolute chaos. Brake early, signal clearly, and expect AI drivers to cut you off. Honestly, I just take the long way around now.
3. The Ferry Rush (Rotterdam to Newcastle): You have 5 minutes to load before the next ferry. Park exactly on the marked line, or you miss it and wait 30 minutes. Pro tip: Reverse in—it's faster to align.
4. The Nightmare Delivery (Prague Old Town): Narrow streets, pedestrians everywhere, and a delivery point that's essentially a loading dock the size of a postage stamp. Use the smallest truck (Iveco Daily 35S12) and take it slow. You'll earn a Steam achievement called "Parking Picasso."
Advanced Driving Tips
- Fuel management: Fill up at stations with prices under €1.20/L. The cheapest are in Luxembourg and Poland. Never refuel at highway stations in Switzerland (€1.80/L).
- Fatigue system: You need to sleep after 11 hours of driving. Plan rest stops at dedicated parking lots, not on the shoulder (you'll get fined €200).
- Traffic laws: Speed cameras are everywhere in Germany. Keep it at 85 km/h on highways. In the UK, you're limited to 80 km/h on motorways.
- Mods to avoid: That "realistic physics" mod that makes trucks handle like boats. Stick with the default—it's already well-balanced.
FAQ
Q: What's the best truck in Euro Truck Simulator 2 for beginners?
A: The DAF XF 105 (used, around €35,000). It's affordable, fuel-efficient (26-30 L/100km), and handles well in cities. Avoid the Scania R730 until you have €200,000 saved.
Q: How do I unlock all map DLC areas?
A: You don't need to buy them all at once. Focus on Scandinavia (high-paying jobs) and Iberia (scenic routes). Each DLC adds about 10-15 new cities. Buy them during Steam sales (usually 50-70% off).
Q: What's the fastest way to earn €1 million?
A: Buy the Stuttgart garage (€60,000), hire two drivers (€10,000 each), and send them on long hauls. After 20 hours, they'll earn you €2,000-3,000 per hour. Combine that with your own jobs, and you'll hit €1 million in about 50-60 hours of play.