Hi,

I'm looking for a navigation system that has a truck stop finder....anyone know of one?

Does anyone have a navigation system with a truck stop/rest stop finder in it. They all do restaurants, etc. but I don't see t-stops in the descriptions.

You can go to the websites of each truck stop chain and DOWNLOAD the CSV file (comma seperated value) that lists the location of the truck stop by address and LONG/LAT that includes the ammenities. You IMPORT this file into your favorite Map Program (MS Streets & Trips, Delorme and PC Miler) and it will place a "marker" at each location. You can also go to the CAT SCALE web site and Download their location file.


If anyone needs HELP importing this CSV file into their Map Program, PM me and I will provide step-by-step instructions.

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Many GPS's can be used for finding truck stops. The points of interest (POI) will show the truck stops, along with many other businesses. Custom POI's can be uploaded to the GPS and are available online or you can create them yourself. When you choose Custom POI the GPS will show the truck stops in order of which are closest to your location.

I downloaded the locations of the major chains (T/A,Pilot,FlyingJ,and Petro), put them in one file and called it truckstops. As I find locations of the independent truck stops they will be added in. If you want to spend some time at it you can get a truck stop directory and find the coordinates by using the addresses and getting the Lat/Lon from a mapping program or online.

An alternative is to use a mapping program like Delormes Street Atlas and figure your route and then tell it to find what you want as Points of Interest. For example you can search for all the Pilot TS on your route and it will show where each one is.

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Paul

I was going to mention Delorme i used it for years and will use it again when i go back to it you can save so much time when you know when you start out exactly where your going and what to expect along the way and where you need to stop and do all the other things and i have suprized more than one customer when you pull up and they are way off the beaten path and you didn't call any one for directions.

My Lowrance IWAY 500C shows rest areas, Pilot, Flyin J, and Loves and that’s it. The thing it does not show is truck routs. I wish it had an option for that. I can tell it that I prefer or to avoid highways, interstates, toll roads and stuff like that, but truck routes are not in it anywhere.

The navigation systems that are made specifically for truckers - are they reliable? Is there a type that can be loaded onto a laptop and updates itself by satellite? How reliable are these? Meaning - will I end up in the middle of a construction zone when I thought I was taking a more efficient route? Thanks for your help!

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All good things come to those who wait;
The Secret of Happiness is to wait Successfully.

The MAPPING programs like PC Miler are pretty reliable, if you want to spend several hundred bucks (Software Pirating is a CRIME). But I have tried PC Miler and found it very difficult and it wasn't intuitive at all. In other words, if I misspelled a street or city, it is too stupid to offer me options like Delorme or MS Streets will. MS Streets has a CONSTRUCTION UPDATE utility that has the ability to show major road construction/repair nationwide. I haven't been "sent wrong" by MS Streets too many times, only because I use common sense when routing a trip. It helps to call the shipper/receiver for directions while looking at the map. I also know that it is usually better to go a few extra miles "the LONG-WAY around" on freeway, than it is to cut straight across on a skinny 2-lane road. Try US 50 west thru Maryland into WV sometime if you haven't already. LOL
Other than major freeways/highways, I usually write down directions on the back of the BOL for quick reference.
For example; I delivered in Reedsburg WI yesterday. These are the directions I jotted down:
I-90 exit 92
US12 East to SR33 West to Reedsburg
Grove St-LEFT
Ash St-LEFT to ________

Since I was delivering to a Manufacturing Plant, I used only the "largest" roads and streets as they appeared in MS Streets and Trips

I ALSO get the coordinates for shippers/receivers and add them into the CSV file (along with address and other necessary information) for later importation into MS Streets (using MS Spreadsheet). You can also add this information with a text editor, if you are experienced.

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Try this sometime:
While looking at the MAP and calling for directions (just in case...) when they have located their position, say something like this:
Hey, I see you, is that You waving at me? NO? Oh it must be someone else then"

Never fails to bring a chuckle (and endears you with the shipper/receiver)

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Check out a program called CoPilot Truck. Just Google it and you'll find it. This program has trucking specific items available like low underpass warnings, restricted roads (Both Hazmat/53') included, also will find truckstops for you, along with detours, etc. It costs a little more than Delorme and the others, but I think having the truck specific information is worth the difference in price. And since you're using it on the job.......It's tax deductible!!!