Rand-MacNally Motor Carrier’s Road Atlas

Just thought I would let everyone know on randmcnally.com a person can buy the laminated atlas for truckers which is the laminated one on sale for 39.99. U can also type in promotional code "great20" and get an additional 20 percent off of that price too. For a trucker with limited finances like a newby there is also a trucker atlas which is a smaller version of the laminated big atlas with the price of 9.99 and just type in the promotional code of great20 and a trucker can get 20% off of the price, but don't forget taxes and probably shipping charges. I don't know if this will help any trucker but may be it will.

 

the printing on the laminated is too small for this old fart to read.

 

No matter which you use, they all need to be verified that it is a route you are to be on. Of course there are those roads in the atlas that are a really thin gray line which you may still need to be on due to no other way in, but make sure you follow the directions given by your company. There is the road into Big Island, VA that if you go out or in on the wrong one, will cost you a big fine, of course it is the shortest and looks like easiest way to get in, but..

I can imagine the oasis in NJ being picked up wrong, GPS I am sure is not accurate a lot of times. That is one good thing about googling the map also, you can zoom into the area and see what the roads look like and maybe where the entrance is at; this doesn't count in NY though, you need a road map to even figure out if the building is where it is supposed to be or not.

 

my company doesn't supply directions. no Quaalcom , they just supply a cell phone and the name,address,with phone numbers,the rest is up to the driver.

 

Well with some of the directions given by the dispatchers you might be better calling the ph# instead, the only thing is some of the numbers don't answer. I would say having a very good truck safe GPS would be one of the better bets, and then checking the Atlas for low overpasses, etc in the area, and then google it. It is time consuming using all these methods, but once you get a game plan in your head it will be easier going .

Google and gps will also give you a time frame also, but it is according to how heavy the load is, how many fuelstops, traffic and other delays; we always add time to whatever the google says so as to not cut it too close.

 

google it?? have no laptop. if I'm online ,I'm home.lol

 

I bet you have all the roads memorized in your mind now. I just don't like that a town can have a road go through it one week and the next week it would be closed and of course when working with some companies you would add extra miles on and not get paid for them when having to reroute.

Well he has his own laptop now, but he is not really high tech yet, his trainee is though.
With the loads now days you need all the time savers you can get.

So I still do the lookups for him, esp for the addresses which a lot of times is like working for the FBI in finding the right address or company name; I use www. 411. com for looking up addresses, and companies; the phone numbers a lot of time don't tell you a lot anymore because they want money to let you know.

I don't think I could live without my computer and internet now (it would be hard).

 

Yep! (Crem da la Crem) pretty much! The big laminated one with the ring binder is my favorite! You can also use dry erase markers to map out your route or make notes then wipe clean. There is also a lot of important trucking info that can be found in there! Pricey but you can save money if you buy on Amazon or buy the previous year issue.

 

I buy the paper one. The paper one last at least a year and for 15-20 bucks I want to buy the newest one when they come out. Since i replace every year, lamented isn't necessary.

 

Just ordered mine today (2013 edition) on Amazon and it was $50.34...I did have to pay extra for the (2 day) shipping since I leave next Friday and want to make sure I have it in time!