Newbie 1st map which is better?

American map? Unless you're planning on running north of the border, and American map would be more useful.
A Rand McNally Motor Carriers atlas with the laminated pages works best for me. The pages are more durable, and the wire binder lets the pages lay flat.

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Mama always told me not to look into the eyes of the sun. But Mama, that's where the fun is....

American Map® 2008 United States Large Scale Road Atlas
sorry that's the name of map company

Sorry, I was just being funny, or attempting it anyway. I've never used that map, so don't know how it would be in relationship to trucking. But the Motor Carriers atlas has a lot of useful info in it ( restricted routes, low clearances, state phone numbers, etc.)

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Mama always told me not to look into the eyes of the sun. But Mama, that's where the fun is....

I use an American Map 7 county for Chicago and I like it a LOT better than the Rand McNally 7 county, but this is just a map book not a trucking atlas. I'm about ready to buy a trucking Atlas and I'd really like to know what you all think is the best trucking atlas to be had. I think having a very good atlas is a smart place to pay for the best. Thanks in advance!

Has anyone here used the 'Large Print' Rand McNally Motor Carrier Atlas? If so, is it worth the extra $20-$30 to get it rather than the regular Motor Carrier Atlas? Both have laminated pages, wire binding, and all the other features. I'm a newbie and I'm considering the Large Print version, simply because I'm 49 years old and wear reading glasses to read small print. I'm just curious if it's worth the extra money.

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There is no normal life, there's only life.
Doc Holliday in Tombstone

Hi Ironryder, welcome aboard, I'm in week 1.5 with Swift and I might need that large print map too, just turned 50 in Nov, already have my "over - 40" glasses too, lol. Most everyone out here uses the Rand McNally book. I hear the 2008's will go on sale this month. I saw a 2009 for $29 at a Love's TS I think..
btw, you ride scoots? just wondering from your name...

I purchased one of the large type Rand McNally trucker atlases last year. I brought it right back inside after realizing how flimsy the pages were even though they were laminated.

I went back to the normal size Rand McNally and the pages were thicker and more durable.

I believe the publisher tried to make the book lighter by skimping on the page thickness. The Larger book was indeed heavier and more difficult to hold with 1 hand when picking it up off the floor as compared to the normal size one.

If you have difficulty reading the normal size atlas then you can always buy a sheet of magnifying paper or a magnifying glass. There are even rulers that have built in magnifying glasses on them now.

I would recommend you do buy a laminated Atlas as they will hold up for several years as compared to the paper ones. In the event you spill your coffee of soda on it it is also easier to clean up with a damp cloth ot paper towel.

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Knowledge is Power

I was wondering about that, I noticed in the descriptions it said the Large Type was 324 pages but only 25% thicker than the 200 page standard laminated. I guess the standard Rand McNally it is. Thanks for the advice.

Large type has a coating but it's not laminated. It's not that resistant to spills.

I like the large print one better anyway, easier to use when it's dark and the lights in the truck aren't real good, company trucks sometimes aren't the best that way. Biggest disadvantage I have found is the states on 4 pages, but the city maps are easier when they are bigger.

Magnifiers either get lost or broken, I've tried them all.