14 min read Beginner Updated: Agrar Chaoten Team

Short answer

What is AutoDrive in FS25, in simple terms?

AutoDrive lets vehicles drive on roads automatically. You lay out a network of waypoints once, then send vehicles to named targets like 'Selling point' or 'Farm' at the press of a button.

What Is AutoDrive?

AutoDrive (often just AD) is a mod that lets vehicles in Farming Simulator 25 drive on the road automatically. While Courseplay handles the work in the field, AutoDrive takes over the transport runs: from the farm to the field, from the field to the sell point, to the gas station and back again.

The trick behind it: you set up a route network once — a kind of invisible road network made of waypoints. After that you simply tell a vehicle "drive to the sell point" and it finds the way all by itself. On a server this is especially handy: the route network is stored centrally, all players use the same routes, and transports keep running even when you're offline.

Who is this guide for? Complete beginners. We explain every term and every step. There's a glossary at the very bottom. Tip: also read our Courseplay guide — together, AD and CP make a complete automation setup.

Requirements

  • An FS25 dedicated server that allows mods.
  • The "FS25_AutoDrive" mod — free on the official ModHub.
  • A little patience for your first route network — you only build it once, then reuse it forever.

Crossplay: The same rule applies here — only the ModHub version keeps your server crossplay-capable (PC, PS5, Xbox).

Installing AutoDrive on the Server — Step by Step

1

Download the mod

Search for "AutoDrive" in the FS25 ModHub or download the file FS25_AutoDrive.zip. Do not unzip the ZIP.

2

Upload it to the server

Activate it via the web interface (Mods → ModHub) or place the ZIP in the mod folder via FTP.

3

Activate it in the savegame

Tick the checkbox next to AutoDrive so the mod is loaded at startup.

4

Restart the server & check the log

Restart the server and search the server log for "AutoDrive". No red Error = all good.

Tip for groups: It's best to designate one person as the "route builder". If several people build on the network at the same time, it quickly gets messy.

The Controls: Opening the Editor and Menu

AutoDrive has two things you need to know: the menu (where you select destinations) and the editor mode (where you build routes). You set the keys yourself once:

1

Assign keys

In the FS25 main menu, go to Settings → Controls and search for "AutoDrive". Assign keys for "Open AutoDrive menu" and "Editor mode on/off".

2

Turn on editor mode

Get into a vehicle and switch on editor mode. Now you'll see the route network as lines and points in the world — it's empty at first.

Building Your First Route Network

A waypoint is a single point on the route. Connecting several waypoints creates a path the vehicle follows. Here's how to build your first route, e.g. from the farm to the field:

1

Set the starting point

Drive to your farm with the editor turned on. AutoDrive automatically drops waypoints behind you as you drive — so you simply "paint" the route by driving it.

2

Drive the route

Slowly drive along the desired route (farm → road → field). Stay centered in the lane. AutoDrive lays down a line of waypoints behind you.

3

Choose the connection type

You can create routes as one-way (single direction) or two-way (there and back). Two-way connections are easiest to start with — the vehicle can then drive the same route back.

4

Connect intersections

Where two routes meet, connect the waypoints at the intersection so the vehicle can turn. Bit by bit you build a network that covers your entire farm.

Think like a road map: Your route network is nothing more than a road network for your AI drivers. The cleaner you build it (centered, with proper intersections), the more reliably the vehicles drive.

Naming Destinations (Setting Markers)

To be able to tell a vehicle "drive there", important points need a name. Such named waypoints are called markers or destinations.

1

Pick an important point

In the editor, drive to a point you visit often — e.g. the wheat sell point or the gas station.

2

Mark it as a destination & name it

Mark the waypoint as a destination and give it a clear name like "Farm", "Wheat sale" or "Gas station". These names later appear in the selection menu.

Feel free to create several destinations — the farm, every field, every sell point and the gas station. The more destinations, the more flexible you are.

Sending a Vehicle on a Route

Now comes the payoff. Switch the editor off again and go:

1

Get into the vehicle

Get into the tractor with trailer that should handle the transport. It needs to be near a route.

2

Open the AutoDrive menu

Open the AutoDrive menu with your key. You'll see a list of your destinations.

3

Select a destination & start

Select e.g. "Wheat sale" and start AutoDrive. The vehicle now drives to the sell point on its own, unloads, and can then return to the farm.

Round trips: Many routes can be set up so the vehicle automatically returns to the starting point after unloading. That creates an endless loop without you having to intervene.

AutoDrive + Courseplay: the Complete Chain

Only together do the two mods unfold their full potential:

  • Courseplay harvests the field and unloads the combine with an unloader.
  • AutoDrive takes over the full trailer and brings it to the sell point — and drives back empty.
  • Optionally, AutoDrive sends vehicles to refuel or to restock seeds.

We explain the field side here: FS25 Courseplay for beginners.

Performance: The Server CPU Decides

As with Courseplay: every vehicle controlled by AutoDrive puts load on the server CPU. Many transporters driving at once need strong single-core performance.

Rule of thumb: The higher the single-core performance of the server CPU, the more AD vehicles run smoothly at once. CPUs with weak single-core performance hit their limit sooner, and stuttering becomes possible.

With the SimpleInspector mod you can keep an eye on the server TPS — above 50 is good.

Common Beginner Mistakes (and the Fix)

The vehicle won't start driving
It's too far away from the nearest route. Park it right at a waypoint or extend the route to the vehicle.
It stops at an intersection
The waypoints aren't connected properly. Check in the editor whether a connection exists at the intersection.
The vehicle drives into obstacles
The route runs too close to fences, buildings or trees. Re-place the waypoints with more clearance.
It can't find the destination
There's no continuous path from the vehicle to the destination. Close the gaps in the network.
Reversing doesn't work cleanly
Long rigs struggle with reverse routes. Plan turning loops instead of tight reversing maneuvers.

Glossary: AutoDrive Terms Explained Simply

Waypoint
A single point on the route. Many waypoints make up a path.
Route network
The entire "road network" of connected waypoints.
Marker / destination
A named waypoint you can select in the menu (e.g. "Farm").
Editor mode
The editing mode in which you build and see routes.
One-way / two-way
Whether a route can be driven in one or both directions.
TPS
"Ticks per second" — the server's processing rate. High = smooth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Frequently asked questions

What is AutoDrive in FS25, in simple terms?
AutoDrive lets vehicles drive on roads automatically. You lay out a network of waypoints once, then send vehicles to named targets like 'Selling point' or 'Farm' at the press of a button.
How do I build an AutoDrive route network?
Enable editor mode and slowly drive the route you want — AutoDrive automatically drops waypoints behind you. Connect the points at junctions so vehicles can turn.
How do I send a vehicle to a target?
Get into the vehicle (near a route), open the AutoDrive menu, pick a named target and start. The vehicle drives there on its own.
Why won't my AutoDrive vehicle start driving?
Usually it's too far from the nearest route or there's no continuous path to the target. Park the vehicle at a waypoint and close any gaps in the network.
Can AutoDrive work together with Courseplay?
Yes — that's the ideal combination. Courseplay does the field work, AutoDrive handles the transport runs to the selling point, gas station and back.

Questions about this guide?

Stuck on a step? Get in touch – we're happy to help.

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Last updated: 2026-06-21 · Written by the Agrar Chaoten team