Google is not your friend. Use an Atlas or at least a truck GPS.

Type in Parsons, KS to Springfield,MO on google maps. It will likely show the image below. There is a 5 minute and 8 mile savings in using that route.

If you didn't live around here, you wouldn't know.

My chiropractor/farmer/friend lives just north of Baseline Blvd, close to Japer,MO.

His father and he, regularly drive and farm in that area. Since the prevalence of Google maps - that road has quadrupled in traffic, with most of the plates noticed - out of state.

Problem is - for a while, there was a windmill farm being built that used it regularly, deteriorating the road - especially the shoulders. Baseline Blvd has no shoulder. If you even get your steer tire close or over the edge of the road - you're going over.

MODOT nor the wind farm has repaired the road.

My friend has involved local politicians, MODOT, and they have petitioned Google themselves to stop routing traffic this way. The only addition was a sign from MO171 end stating 'Not recommended for trucks" , or something similar, but no signage elsewhere.

Every week there is a truck rollover - many injuries, a few fatalities.

My old Garmin GPS routes me the safer route - which leads me to think that a lot of newer drivers may tend to use Google maps as a primary source of navigation.

Invest in an Atlas (paper), and a decent truck Atlas - and stay safe out there.

 

Google Maps will definitely rout you the fastest route....for a car lol. I do like Google Maps, but it's a tool, not one to be relied upon solely. The route going through Baxter Springs there makes way more sense for trucks. I would add discernment to trip planning as well.

 

Google maps is great for street view and sat view to preplan a route. But relying on it or any single source is stupid. Also garmin and other GPSes are wrong as much or more then google maps (lot of times you have an emergency vehicle weight limit and garmin will try to give you some ####### crazy route around a otgerwise legal road for instance). Even the atlas can be wrong on occasion.

Every form of mapping is a tool, and only a tool. Relying on any single tool is moronic.

 

You're absolutely right. However, my truck Garmin and Google map routed me through some single tight lane 8% grade winding hills in WV not designed for 53' ft trailers 2 am in the morning pitch black. Even with over 30 years and running the Rockies i was put to the test.

 

I use google maps exclusively. Have never owned a truck gps or used one... I would not even think about going that way.. if its not an interstate, us highway, or state highway i dont ever take it unless i have a delivery down that road. Or it is taking me to delivery/pickup... Trucking takes alot of common horse sense

 

Hwy 96? If so we used to run that way regularly when heading to garden city ks from TN with feeder calves.No gps or Google maps back then. Open up the Rand mcnally and find a route.

 

96 is a good road. keeps you out of Webb city/joplin too

 

Googlemaps versus a good spiral bound laminated Rand McNally Road Atlas. I'll take googlemaps every time. Common sense goes a long ways when driving trucks. I remember before gps or googlemaps was even a thing you still had dummies driving on roads they had no business being on.

 

Google IS my friend. It wants me to take scenic routes, like Arches National Park in my big rig.

 

GPS allows even a newbie to drive through a cemetery & still think they are doing the right thing.