The Long Drive V2024.10.17b May 2026

Scouring the game’s Steam forums and the unofficial Discord server, the reception to v2024.10.17b has been largely positive.

Yes. If you bounced off earlier versions of The Long Drive due to janky physics or frustrating item loss, v2024.10.17b is the perfect time to return. It respects your time while maintaining the eerie, unpredictable soul of the game. For new players, this stable beta is arguably the best introduction to Genesz’s weird, wonderful wasteland.

Just remember: the desert is empty, your engine is ticking, and the next gas station is 40 kilometers away. Drive long, and drive strange.

Have you tried The Long Drive v2024.10.17b? Share your road trip stories in the comments below.

If you are currently enjoying a stable playthrough on an older version (like v2024.10.12), you may want to finish your journey before updating. The Long Drive v2024.10.17b fundamentally changes resource management and vehicle handling. It is harder, more punishing, and occasionally unfair.

But that is the point. This is not a road trip simulator; it is a survival road trip simulator. The new thermal system and regenerating flora make the world feel less like a static sandbox and more like a living, breathing desert that wants you to fail. For new players, this version offers the definitive challenge. For veterans, it breathes new life into a drive you thought you knew.

Final Rating: 8.5/10 Beautifully broken, intensely lonely, and deeply rewarding. Just remember to watch your temperature gauge. The Long Drive v2024.10.17b

Have you encountered a strange glitch or discovered a hidden oasis in The Long Drive v2024.10.17b? Share your stories in the comments below. Safe driving—and stay hydrated.

The version v2024.10.17b of The Long Drive is an experimental "Upcoming Version Test". This update focuses heavily on refining the game's physics-driven mechanics and adding small, immersive details that enhance the sandbox experience. Key Improvements in v2024.10.17b

Enhanced Lighting Mechanics: Headlights and bulbs can now be turned on by hand even when they aren't slotted into a vehicle. This adds a layer of survival utility, essentially letting you use car parts as handheld lanterns.

Physics Lock Refinements: A "thin Physics Lock" was added around metal bars, and several physics triggers for the game's many vehicles were adjusted to improve stability. Bug Fixes & Polish:

Combat/Interactions: Fixed an issue where very weak guns couldn't destroy bulbs and ensured explosive items (like paint cans) actually explode when shot.

Visuals: Resolved "purple" texture glitches on mirrors and bulbs. Scouring the game’s Steam forums and the unofficial

Holiday Items: Improved the pumpkin item, restoring its on-off toggle functionality. Community Verdict

Reviews for this specific test branch and recent 2026 check-ins highlight a "love-it-or-hate-it" sandbox.

The "Chill" Perspective: Players who enjoy the game find it a "10/10" for relaxation, praising the infinite road, custom radio support (which now supports .flac), and the pure, goal-less driving experience.

The "Frustrated" Perspective: Critics point out that the game remains "hilariously unfinished" with frequent desync issues in multiplayer and terrain generation bugs (like roads floating in the sky).

Technical Warning: Recent beta updates like v2024.11.10 (which followed this one) moved to a new scripting system that broke old save files. If you are playing v2024.10.17b, be aware that future updates may require a fresh start. Quick Setup Tips

How to Access: Right-click the game in your Steam Library > Properties > Betas > Select "Upcoming Version Test". Have you tried The Long Drive v2024

Dev Menu: If enabled in settings, you can press F1 to access tools like the "Save Car" feature, which lets you transfer vehicles between different save files.

VR Mode: Experimental VR is available in the beta tab, though it currently requires a keyboard/mouse or gamepad rather than motion controllers. The Long Drive - UPDATE V2024.10.17b_test and ... - Steam

The Long Drive - UPDATE V2024. 10.17b_test and previous patchnotes - Steam News. Is The Long Drive done yet? | 2026 Review

One of the most celebrated stealth fixes in The Long Drive v2024.10.17b addresses the infamous rabbit physics. Previously, the rabbit—your only companion—would often clip through the car door or vibrate violently when the vehicle exceeded 100 km/h. The patch stabilizes its hitbox, though reports indicate sharp turns can still send the cage sliding across the dashboard. This is now considered a "charm" rather than a bug.

In the sprawling, sun-scorched void of the post-apocalyptic genre, few games capture the strange, meditative loneliness of a journey quite like The Long Drive. This procedurally generated pilgrimage through a seemingly infinite desert has captivated players looking for a mix of survival mechanics, vehicle tinkering, and psychological solitude. With the release of The Long Drive v2024.10.17b, developer Genesz has pushed the simulation even further into the realm of bizarre, unforgiving realism. This article breaks down everything new, improved, and broken (in the best way) in this latest iteration.

Every patch in The Long Drive is a double-edged sword—new features bring new types of chaos. Version 2024.10.17b is no exception. Here are the critical updates: