How to Collect Resources & Load Cargo in RoadCraft
Image Credits: Saber Interactive, RoadCraft
Resource collection in RoadCraft seems like it should be simple… until you’re dragging half a log across a field with the wrong vehicle and wondering why nothing is counting.
This guide explains exactly how to find, collect, load, and deliver resources the right way, using the right vehicles and tools.
It also covers why some materials don't register and what to do about it.
Read More: Tips and Tricks | RoadCraft Guide
Where to Find Resources
You’ll collect resources from four main types of locations in RoadCraft:
Preloaded piles like concrete slabs, steel beams, and pipes, usually found at your forward base, warehouses, or mission zones
Quarries, which provide sand and gravel used for road reinforcement
Rubble, such as portable toilets, carts, and random junk, scattered across damaged zones; this can be recycled
Forests, where logs can be gathered for wood
You’ll spot usable items glowing blue or shimmering slightly when scanned. You can also use your object scanner or terrain scanner to help spot and access hard-to-reach items.
The Right Vehicles for the Job
Not all vehicles are created equal. Here’s what to use:
Crane Trucks – For loading heavy objects like concrete slabs and steel beams
Cargo Trucks – For hauling large items once they’re loaded and strapped
Log Forwarders – For grabbing and hauling logs from forested areas
Rusty Mulcher – Used to grind down tree stumps that block access to resource sites
Flatbeds – For smaller loads or recycled materials
Recycling Trucks – For collecting and unloading debris at recycling depots
Always check if your vehicle has the needed attachment. Some trucks look powerful but can’t pick up or load anything without the right gear.
How to Load Resources
If you’re using a crane-equipped truck:
Deploy the anchors/stabilizers before operating
Extend the boom, lower the hook or claw, and grab your item
Lift and carefully rotate the load into the vehicle bed
Adjust the load so it fits fully inside the cargo zone
Open your cargo menu and strap it down
For logs, you’ll need to use the Log Forwarder’s claw to grab each log and place it in the truck bed. It may take a few tries to line it up properly.
If you’re working with recyclable rubble, you can usually just push it or scoop it in, depending on the load and vehicle type.
How to Deliver Resources
Every mission will give you a delivery location, shown as a glowing yellow or green circle.
To complete the delivery:
Drive the loaded vehicle into the zone
Unstrap the cargo
Use the crane or winch to move each item fully inside the drop-off zone
Important: If your resource is even slightly touching the edge of the circle, it might not count. Center it if you want it to register.
Once dropped off correctly, the item will either vanish or trigger a progress bar for the build.
Why Resources Don’t Register
They’re not centered in the drop-off zone
The wrong type of resource was delivered
Items are still strapped down in the truck
The objective hasn’t been triggered yet, so nothing counts
The zone is too full or hasn’t been cleared of older materials
If something doesn’t register, unstrap it, reposition it, and try again.
How Recycling Works
To recycle materials:
Collect blue-glowing debris like junk metal, toilets, or scrap
Drive to a recycling depot, usually marked with arrows and a square
Unstrap the cargo inside the input zone
Watch it vanish and fill up the progress bar
Once full, press the prompt to create a new resource, like a pipe
Pick it up from the output zone nearby
This system is only available on certain maps and usually focuses on steel recycling early on. Other materials (like rubber or wood) may appear in later maps.
Extra Tips
Clear tree stumps using the Rusty Mulcher so you can access log piles or hidden paths
If your vehicle gets stuck while hauling, use low gear, diff lock, and terrain scanning to stay stable
When routing AI trucks for automatic delivery, reinforce muddy paths with sand or concrete
Use the retain/deploy trick in your garage to fast-travel heavy vehicles between areas without driving them manually
Final Blurb & FAQ
Collecting resources in RoadCraft takes more than just showing up and hitting a button. You’ve got to pick the right tool, line up the load, and make sure it’s all delivered the right way.
It’s like running a construction company... but one where you also drive forklifts through mudslides.
FAQ
Q: How do I collect resources in RoadCraft?
Use the correct vehicle to load materials from depots, quarries, or rubble piles, then strap them down and deliver them.
Q: Why won’t my resources count when I drop them off?
They might not be unstrapped, or they’re placed too far to the edge of the delivery zone.
Q: What vehicle do I need to collect logs?
Use the Log Forwarder, which has a claw for grabbing and loading logs.
Q: Can I recycle junk into usable materials?
Yes. Take blue-glowing rubble to a recycling depot and unstrap it in the input zone to process it.
Q: How do I know which resources are needed?
Your current objective or construction project will list the required items, such as slabs, beams, or pipes.
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