ETS2 1.59 Update Overview

ETS2 1.59 was released on May 6, 2026 after public beta testing. It is a major quality update centered on the rebuilt Benelux region, a new Volvo test-driving destination, branded refrigerated trailer equipment, and several practical UI and recovery improvements.

This guide focuses on what players should actually look for after updating. For broader planning, use the ETS2 Map Guide, Best ETS2 Settings, and Safe ETS2 Mods Guide.

Headline Features

Feature	Why It Matters
Benelux rebuild	Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg have been rebuilt as part of the base map
Volvo Trucks Experience Center	A near 1:1 test facility near Gothenburg with a hidden road entrance
Thermo King update	Real branded refrigeration units replace generic units on refrigerated trailers
Tow to Road	A new service option can place a stuck or rolled truck back on the road
Route Advisor widgets	Finance and damage info can now sit above the GPS panel
Skill screen refresh	The skill UI is clearer, more controller-friendly, and easier to read
Traffic audio rework	Traffic sound is softer, less repetitive, and more environmental
Detours maintenance	Detours are temporarily disabled while the system is reworked

Benelux Rebuild

The Benelux area was part of ETS2's older base-map network, so the rebuild matters even for players who own no paid map DLC. Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg now better match the density and visual standards of newer expansions.

Key places to revisit:

1. Amsterdam.
2. Groningen.
3. Rotterdam.
4. Brussels.
5. Liege.
6. Luxembourg City.
7. Antwerp and its port area.
8. Eindhoven and the DAF factory surroundings.

The region now includes stronger industrial identity, including Antwerp's port, a detailed Eindhoven DAF factory area, and major corridors such as E40 and A2. The visual contrast also matters: Belgian hills, Dutch polders, and coastal roads should feel less interchangeable than before.

Volvo Trucks Experience Center

The Volvo Trucks Experience Center near Gothenburg adds a controlled driving environment with test-track elements. You need the Scandinavia DLC to reach it, and the entrance is initially hidden from GPS until you discover it.

Look for:

1. Long curves.
2. Technical corners.
3. Elevation changes.
4. Different surface behavior.
5. Downhill and braking sections.
6. A more focused driving challenge than normal highway cruising.

It is especially useful if you like testing truck handling, comparing setups, practicing smooth inputs, or taking screenshots away from normal traffic.

Thermo King Refrigeration Units

Thermo King units now appear on refrigerated trailers, replacing older generic refrigeration equipment across the base game and DLC trailer pool.

The update includes multiple visible unit types:

Unit	Where It Fits
A-360, A-400, A-500	Single refrigerated trailers
SLXi-300, SLXi-400	Higher-capacity single-trailer refrigeration
UT-1400R	Double-trailer configurations with an underside-mounted unit

This is a small change mechanically, but it makes temperature-controlled freight feel more grounded because the trailers now carry a real-world industry brand.

Road Recovery

The new "Tow to Road" service is meant for situations where your truck is rolled over, stuck in a ditch, trapped on rough terrain, or blocking convoy progress. Open the service menu with F7, choose the new recovery option, pay the service fee, and the game returns you to the last safe road position.

This is different from towing to a service center. It is a faster rescue tool for a specific bad moment, not a full repair trip.

Route Advisor and Skill UI

Route Advisor can now show damage and finance widgets above the GPS area. The damage widget covers truck, trailer, and cargo condition, while the finance widget shows your current bank balance and recent average profit.

The skill screen has also been redesigned. It now makes current level, next progress, tooltip detail, and remaining steps easier to understand. Controller navigation is cleaner too, which matters for Steam Deck, couch play, and future console-style UX.

Other Quality Changes

Version 1.59 also includes:

1. Better in-game news banner readability.
2. World map marker control improvements, including undoing the last waypoint.
3. Clearer save icons and overwrite labeling.
4. More reliable garage cutscene skipping with controllers.
5. Improved directional-pad accessibility.
6. Height-blend visual fixes and GPU memory improvements.
7. Softer traffic audio with less repetitive horn behavior.
8. Detours temporarily disabled for maintenance, while random road events remain.

Should You Disable Mods?

For a major update, yes, at least temporarily. Map mods, traffic mods, economy mods, and UI mods are the most likely to need updates.

Safe process:

1. Back up your profile.
2. Start once with mods disabled.
3. Check that the vanilla game loads.
4. Re-enable mods gradually after authors confirm compatibility.

For a fuller process, read the Safe ETS2 Mods Guide. The short version is simple: never test a major update on your only unbacked profile.

What to Revisit First

If you only have one evening after updating, start with:

Route or Feature	Why
Rotterdam to Antwerp	Shows the rebuilt Benelux industrial corridor
Brussels to Luxembourg	Good contrast between urban and hilly sections
Gothenburg area	Lets you search for the Volvo test facility entrance
Refrigerated cargo	Shows the Thermo King trailer changes
A recoverable off-road mistake	Safely tests Tow to Road before you need it

Who Benefits Most?

Players who mostly drive the base map should notice the biggest improvement. Long-term players also get a reason to revisit older cities that may have felt dated compared with newer DLC.

The release is also a reminder that ETS2 is improving in two directions at once: the road network keeps expanding outward, while important older regions are still being rebuilt inward.