What is a good Road atlas for trucking

There are so few changes between years in the Rand McNally that I would consider the one you have to be perfectly adequate. I think mine is a 2004 or 2005 and it works just fine. You don't need to replace it each year, despite the pressure from Rand McNally to do so.

 

Yea, the Rand McNally Motor Carrier's Atlas is the ONLY trucker map that is any good, IMHO. I get a new one every year to keep up with all the changes.

 

yes very good choice, we carry 2007 versions in our store. Please see our banner at the bottom of the page. Proceeds of each sale go to The Truckers Report to help keep it running for drivers like you.

Thanks

 

I'm often amazed at the simple questions on the cb for directions that are right there in the Rand McNally - the cost has me getting one every other year (and by the end of 2 years of being lifted in and out of my organizer, it needs replacing anyway). General directions I don't need, but to scan the restricted routes and low bridges is worth the cost with just one visit to an eastern US city from Chicago to Philly. The only gripe I have is with New York state using hub height for clearances instead of trailer height (a sign in New York warning of a 12' bridge clearance means as measured from your axle hub, not the ground so you really have another 18").
I also like to use magic marker to pencil in mileage between backroad destinations so I don't have to do the math every couple of months for the same off interstate routing. Likewise, I mark in favorite tv channels and radio stations on the atlas pages.

Though I admit to aging and needing reading glasses, I SWEAR the print has gotten smaller in the last 5 years but I am refusing to pay the extra money for the large print edition (which also miraculously appeared in the last 5 years)!

 

I knew that I wanted the laminated version after I saw it. I like the resistance to spills that the lamination provides, and the spiral binding will lay flat. On a personal trip from OH to NJ in mid-July, I stopped at a Pilot truckstop. They had the 2007 laminated version for sale for about $29.95. The nice person on the register told me that in the freebie Pilot truckstop magazine, in the rack next to the counter, was a coupon for $10 off on the atlas. Picked up the magazine and the atlas, ripped out the coupon, and checked out for $19.95 plus tax! I have heard that other vendors offer similar deals after mid-year.

I started CDL school in late July. I've used the atlas during our trip planning exercises in class. I use dry erase markers of various colors to mark my routes and alternates, circle the break, meal and overnight stopping spots as well as pickup/delivery locataions. Then just wipe it clean with a napkin for the next trip.

 

Rand Mcnally laminated trucker version is best. If you wait until the 2008 version comes out, you can get the 2007 version cheap at a lot of truck stops. 1 year old is still new enough for your road info.

 

+1. Now that I drive local I bought a paper one off Ebay for when I go to
the big city. Just haveing it in the truck makes it fall apart. I am buying
another laminated one when I get a chance. These maps read so much
easier, I prefer them to AAA when I take the family on vacation. Perhaps
its the colour scheme.

 

I got one of those, but mine is an 04. After going back out, wearing bi-focals now decided it is time to invest in a large scale one!