Craving a relaxing driving experience, but most video games offer only adrenaline-fueled racing? Try these gems!
Is there anything better than traveling by car, unrestrained by everyday problems, in the glow of the setting sun? Although the best car games have more to offer, many players desire just that – driving free through a breathtaking digital world.
If you, too, crave this kind of adventure, our recommendations of the best driving simulators will satisfy that need. Some feature exciting challenges, others allow for fun driving around, but all are here to help you experience the ultimate freedom.
| Game | Release | Genre | Developer | Video | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Snowrunner | 2020-04-28 | Off-road simulation | Saber Interactive | |
 | Beamngdrive | 2015-05-29 | Adventure | BeamNG | |
 | Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop | 2021-09-07 | Simulation | stillalive studios | |
 | Motor Town Behind The Wheel | 2021-12-18 | Off-road simulation | P3 Games | |
 | My Summer Car | 2016-10-24 | Indie | Amistech Games | |
 | Jalopy | 2016-04-22 | Adventure | Minskworks | |
 | Roadcraft | 2025-05-20 | Saber Interactive | ||
 | City Car Driving | 2016-11-03 | Indie | Forward Development, Ltd. | |
 | American Truck Simulator | 2016-02-03 | Adventure | SCS Software |
SnowRunner
| Release date: | 2021-05-18 |
| Genre: | off-road simulation |
| Developer: | Saber Interactive |
It’s a recommendation for anyone looking to drive powerful vehicles in unforgiving weather conditions. See if you have what it takes to deliver this cargo!
Get behind the wheel of the mightiest trucks to explore open maps and deliver cargo. SnowRunner is a phenomenal off-road simulation where you struggle with treacherous weather conditions, uneven terrain, and omnipresent mud and ice. Sounds like a dream come true, right? Well, it is – check out the trailer on Steam!
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BeamNG.drive
| Release date: | 2015-05-29 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | BeamNG |
This game is all about free-roaming, fun vehicles, and breathtaking environments. And even if you ever get tired of all that freedom, the scenarios are there to spice up the gameplay with some challenge!
Pick from dozens of customizable vehicles, enjoy soft-body physics, and explore twelve open-world maps to play the game exactly how you want. BeamNG.drive gives players ultimate freedom, supported by engaging gameplay modes for a highly replayable experience!
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Bus Simulator 21
| Release date: | 2021-09-07 |
| Genre: | Vehicle simulation |
| Developer: | stillalive studios |
Have you ever wondered how you would fare as a bus driver? No other game offers such an opportunity!
Work as a skilled bus driver, sell tickets and manage your business to keep it running like clockwork. Whether you prefer to follow the campaign or focus on free cruising in the sandbox mode, this game has it all and more!
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Motor Town: Behind the Wheel
| Release date: | 2021-12-18 |
| Genre: | Simulation & Indie |
| Developer: | P3 Games |
Unlike other games on our list, this one offers more variety in vehicle choices and gameplay modes. Impressive player freedom included!
Explore an open world with a day and night cycle, pick from over 50 vehicles, transport passengers, deliver cargo, or drive around as much as you want. Motor Town lets you race against other players, complete missions, customize vehicles, or do whatever you want. The only rule? Cars have to be involved!
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My Summer Car
| Release date: | 2016-10-24 |
| Genre: | Indie |
| Developer: | Amistech Games |
Imagine you are a novice mechanic spending a beautiful vacation in Finland in the 90s. Survive, build your dream car, complete random jobs to earn a living, and do whatever you want!
My Summer Car is a unique open-world game where you rebuild your father’s old car and learn responsibility. Or not! The title lets you drive around drinking beer, insult NPCs, and gossip about everyone with your grandma. There are also races, watchful cops, complex car-building mechanics, and permadeath. Sounds perfect!
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Jalopy
| Release date: | 2016-04-22 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Minskworks |
Get behind the wheel of your beloved Laika 601 Deluxe (inspired by the classic Trabant) to embark on an epic journey across the Eastern Bloc!
Explore the procedurally generated world of Eastern Europe, transport goods, repair your car, and discover the details of your playable character’s relationship with his uncle. Jalopy brilliantly combines an engaging story with driving mechanics, but its significant focus lies in the endless vehicle repairs. This car is an oldie, but it transforms every traveled mile into an incredibly satisfying achievement!
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RoadCraft
| Release date: | 2025-05-20 |
| Genre: | Vehicle simulation |
| Developer: | Saber Interactive |
This incredibly relaxing simulation lets you work as the owner of a disaster recovery company. Heavy machinery included!
Restore sites devastated by natural disasters to their former glory by operating over forty impressive vehicles in the harshest conditions. Your job is to remove obstacles, transport cargo, or repair ruined factories – all using a variety of machines designed for unique purposes. And the best part is you can enjoy these immersive gameplay mechanics solo or with friends!
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City Car Driving
| Release date: | 2016-11-03 |
| Genre: | Indie |
| Developer: | Forward Development, Ltd. |
This educational recommendation lets you learn the basics of driving in a realistic environment that responds to all your actions. It’s a perfect tool for anyone preparing to get a driver’s license!
Learn how to drive a car on city streets, learn the basics of traffic regulations, or drive around to enjoy realistic vehicle behavior. This game lets you discover the best of driving, featuring high educational value for novice drivers.
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American Truck Simulator
| Release date: | 2016-02-02 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | SCS Software |
Embark on an epic journey across the most beautiful regions of the United States to fulfill your dream as a legendary truck driver. No other game combines chill driving with a sense of purpose like this one!
Play career mode, deliver cargo, and marvel at the vast world of the United States at your fingertips. ATS perfectly reflects the details of a professional truck driver’s job, so you can customize your cab, start your own company, and do your best to comply with traffic regulations. That may sound like plenty of work, but each achievement brings plenty of satisfaction.
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Euro Truck Simulator 2
| Release date: | 2013-01-16 |
| Genre: | Indie |
| Developer: | SCS Software |
Want Euro Truck but in Europe? Say no more!
Drive across Europe as a truck driver transporting cargo to the far corners of the continent. Marvel at the beauty of European cities, manage your company, customize vehicles, and grow your business. This game offers the ultimate driving zen, enriched with engaging missions – you can count on many hours of fulfilling fun!
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Realistic weather conditions, dangerous obstacles, accurate physics, rewarding tasks, and legendary vehicles – that’s what you can expect from the best non-racing driving simulations. Whether you want to combine driving with completing missions or simply enjoy a ride, these recommendations have you covered!