How Do You Plan Your Routes?

Rand McNally for most of the way, truck-specific GPS unit for the "last mile", and Google maps satellite view to verify that "last mile" is actually good to go. I drive a car carrier and, a lot of times, car dealerships end up in the worst areas for semis to park and unload. It's like they build these car lots and give little to no thought as to how the trucks are supposed to load/unload the inventory they're supposed to be selling. Satellite view has saved my can a few times by letting me know when pulling up to the consignee's doorstep would be a really bad idea.

 

In addition to all the GPS, Google Maps, and Atlas; the Company has directions available through the Qualcomm. They are very helpful at times with the small details that can trip me up. I use these over most anything else in the final mile because they give me the scoop from drivers who have been there.

US Mint in Philly: "turn on to 4th St. is very, very, tight.". That is a very, very understatement. But it was a tidbit that Google Maps didn't share.

 

Road Atlas and a phone. Call shipper, if I haven't been there, next call consignee. Get directions, figure time to run load, run load. Rinse and repeat.

 

I pin a map on the wall and throw darts at it. Whatever you do, don't take the secretaries word for it. Can't tell you how many times ( mostly Chicago) I could see where I was supposed to go, but there was a 12'6" bridge in the way.

 

I don't use anything I know where I'm going

 

You got that right. I've seen car carriers parked at night around St Louis and said to myself, "I'm glad I didn't have to get that in there".

 

Excellent advice for any trucker, especially newbies. I drive for a grocery company and there are numerous signs off the exits pointing truckers in the right direction. However, a great majority of them follow the GPS to the corporate address and then they line up at the back gate trying to enter the facility.

 

TRUTH.

I've seen a few drivers "F" themselves up real good by not following that advice. Me included.

 

Don't have a procedure I just wing it most of the time..
If I'm going into a car dealer I've never been before I just call them..


pretty simple huh ?

 

for your line of work.. yeah