How to Make Money Fast in Euro Truck Simulator 2
This guide shows you the fastest legitimate ways to earn money in Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2), from quick early-game cash to long-term income strategies. You’ll learn which jobs pay best, how to use loans and drivers, and how to avoid common money-wasting mistakes. No mods or cheats needed—just smart driving and business decisions.
What You’ll Need
- Euro Truck Simulator 2 (base game or with any DLC maps)
- A valid save game (you can start a new profile if you prefer)
- At least a few hours of playtime to see significant results
Step-by-Step
- Start with Quick Jobs (Level 1–5)
When you first start, you don’t have a truck. Use Quick Jobs from the job market. Look for jobs with the highest payout per kilometer—usually those with urgent delivery (the clock icon) or fragile cargo. Avoid jobs with low pay per km, even if they’re short. Aim for jobs that pay at least €30–40 per km. - Take the Biggest Loan You Can (After Level 5)
Once you reach level 5, you can take a bank loan. Go to the Bank menu and take the maximum loan available (usually €100,000 at first). This gives you enough to buy a used truck. A used truck costs around €50,000–€80,000 and is fine for starting. Buy a truck with a decent engine (at least 400 HP) and a manual transmission (if you’re comfortable) to save money. - Buy a Used Truck and Do Freight Jobs
After buying your truck, go to the Freight Market. Choose jobs that pay well per km and are within your truck’s capability. Prioritize jobs with high value per distance. As a rule, longer jobs (500+ km) pay more per km than short ones. Also, jobs that require ferry or train (marked with a ship/train icon) often pay a premium—use them to cover long distances quickly. - Upgrade Your Truck for Efficiency
Spend your first profits on fuel efficiency upgrades: better engine (more power, but also better fuel economy at cruise), and a fuel tank upgrade (to reduce refueling stops). Also, upgrade the chassis to a 6×2 or 6×4 if you’re hauling heavy loads—this increases stability and reduces damage risk. Avoid luxury cabins and paint jobs early on; they don’t earn money. - Hire Drivers as Soon as Possible
At level 10, you can hire drivers. Go to the Recruitment Agency and hire the cheapest driver (usually around €1,500–€2,000). Buy a cheap used truck (or a new one if you have the cash) and assign it to the driver. Each driver earns money passively, even when you’re offline. As your income grows, hire more drivers and buy more trucks. This is the fastest way to scale up income—eventually, your drivers will earn more than you do. - Take Loans to Expand Your Fleet
After you have a steady income from your own driving, take additional loans (up to €400,000–€500,000 total) to buy more trucks for new drivers. The loan payments are manageable if you have at least 3–4 drivers working. Prioritize paying off the loan early to reduce interest, but don’t sacrifice growth—if you can afford the monthly payment, keep the loan and invest in another truck. - Do Special Cargo Jobs (Requires DLC or Level 25+)
If you have the Heavy Cargo Pack or reach level 25, take Special Transport jobs. These pay extremely well (often €200,000+ for a single job) but require careful driving. You’ll need a powerful truck (500+ HP) and a heavy-duty chassis. These jobs are worth the effort for the big payout. - Use the Economy of Scale: Own a Garage
Buy a garage in a busy city (like Berlin, Paris, or London) and hire drivers from there. Each garage can hold up to 5 trucks/drivers. As you expand, buy more garages in different cities to increase your driver capacity. The more drivers you have, the more passive income you earn.
Common Mistakes
- Buying a New Truck Too Early – New trucks cost €100,000+ and depreciate quickly. A used truck is a better first purchase.
- Ignoring Loan Interest – Loans have monthly interest. If you borrow too much without income, you’ll go bankrupt. Always ensure your monthly income covers the loan payment.
- Taking Low-Paying Jobs – Some jobs pay only €10–15 per km. They’re not worth your time. Always filter by price per km.
- Speeding and Damaging Cargo – Damaged cargo reduces your pay. Speeding tickets also eat into profits. Drive carefully.
- Not Using Ferries/Trains – For long distances, using ferry/train can save time and fuel, and some jobs pay extra for it.
- Hiring Drivers Without Trucks – You can’t assign a driver without a truck. Make sure you buy a truck for each driver.
Tips
- Use the Job Filter – In the Freight Market, sort by price per km (descending) to find the best-paying jobs.
- Upgrade Your Truck’s Fuel Tank – A larger tank means fewer stops, saving time and money.
- Drive at Fuel-Efficient Speeds – Keeping your speed around 80–90 km/h (50–56 mph) reduces fuel consumption significantly.
- Take Jobs That Use Ferries – These jobs often pay a premium and cover huge distances quickly (e.g., from the UK to mainland Europe).
- Invest in Driver Skills – When your drivers level up, spend their skill points on Long Distance and High Value Cargo first—these increase their earnings the most.
- Buy a Garage in a Central Location – This reduces empty miles when your drivers return to base.
Troubleshooting
- Not Enough Money for a Truck? – Do more Quick Jobs until you have enough. Also, check the used truck market (the truck dealer has a used section) for cheaper options.
- Loan Payment Too High? – If you’re struggling, sell some trucks or downgrade to cheaper ones. You can also take a smaller loan to lower monthly payments.
- Drivers Not Earning? – Make sure they have a truck assigned and that the truck is in good condition (repair it if needed). Also, check that they have jobs available—if the garage is in a remote area, they might not find good jobs.
- Game Crashes or Mods Interfere? – If you’re using mods, disable them temporarily to see if they’re causing issues. Also, verify game files via Steam.
- Bankruptcy? – If you go negative, you can take a loan to cover the debt, or sell assets to pay off loans. It’s not the end of the world—you can recover.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to make a million euros in ETS2?
With a good strategy (hiring drivers early), you can reach €1 million in about 20–30 hours of gameplay. Without drivers, it takes longer—around 50+ hours.
What is the best truck for making money?
For early game, any used truck with 400+ HP is fine. For later, the Volvo FH16 or Scania R series with 500+ HP are excellent for heavy loads. But the truck matters less than the jobs you take.
Should I take a loan in ETS2?
Yes, but only if you can cover the monthly payment. Loans are great for expanding your fleet, but they can bankrupt you if you overextend.
Do drivers earn money when I’m offline?
Yes, drivers continue to work and earn money even when you’re not playing. That’s why hiring drivers is the best passive income.
Can I make money with cargo mods?
Mods can add new cargo types, but they may not be balanced. Stick to the base game jobs for reliable income, or use mods that are known to be balanced.
What’s the fastest way to level up?
Take long-distance jobs and deliver without damage. Experience is based on distance and delivery quality, so longer trips give more XP.
Related
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.