A full day in Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2) lasts approximately 1.26 hours of real-world time. This accelerated time scale is designed to allow players to experience long-haul trucking journeys efficiently within a reasonable real-life play session.
Understanding the ETS2 Time Scale
The in-game time in ETS2 runs significantly faster than real time to condense long distances and travel times into a more manageable experience. The standard time compression is roughly 1:19, meaning 19 hours pass in the game for every 1 real-world hour. This ratio applies to driving and the general flow of time within the game world.
Here's a breakdown of how ETS2 time relates to real time:
| ETS2 Time Unit | Real-World Time Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 hour | Approximately 3.16 minutes |
| 3.17 hours | 10 minutes |
| 19 hours | 1 hour |
| 1 day (24 hours) | Approximately 1.26 hours |
This time compression is crucial for the gameplay loop, allowing players to:
- Complete deliveries that would take days or weeks in reality within hours.
- Experience day-night cycles, weather changes, and driver fatigue within a single play session.
- Manage sleep cycles and delivery deadlines efficiently without requiring excessive real-world time commitment.
For instance, if you accept a job that requires you to drive for 12 in-game hours, it would only take you around 38 minutes of real driving time to complete that segment of the journey. This allows for immersive gameplay without the literal tedium of real-world long-distance hauling.
