Two Questions

Buy the atlas at a truckstop. I think I have seen them for around $30-35.

 

I haven't used once since cdl school. Anything I need I can get off the internet by looking it up. Sides atlas are out of date the day you buy one

 

I prefer the paper, not laminated, atlas. It forces you to replace it every year or two and it cists less. On my last laminated atlas I wound up with mostvfrequently consulted maps ripping out of binding. You will be picking it up one handed frequently and tje weight causes it to tear. Also several states, the most important part is in the middle and laminated has a huge gap netween left & right side.

New paper is $15. Replace it yearly although you can use it for 2 years, nit much changes. My Rm740 GPS also has the scanned image of each paper map available. If you get a GPS it will cut down on wear & tear of paper atlas. I have paper & GPS.

Your gear looks ok.

 

Before you go buy an atlas, call your school/company and see if they provide one.

 

2017 is a good year.

Think about it. Highways don't change much, or quickly. I95 still goes north and south, I40 still goes east and west.

 

I still like to look at an Atlas / Map just to get an overview of where I’m going, a mental picture.
Plus it there is a solar flare that takes out the gps satellites, I can still find my way around.
Last years atlas will be fine.

 

been using them for over 30 yrs.
I buy the paper and replace each year.
if you wait until mid year they are only about $10.
there is info in the front that is important to know and changes all they time,ie; weight limits on axles, king pin to trailer tandems, ect.

 

i never bought a new (laminated) atlas every year. i'd buy them maybe in all of 5 year increments. try and be sure to get the LARGE print atlas as well. NEVER spend too much for an atlas, shop around for deals. i once bought my atlas at a 76 (now a T/A) and it was high dollars back then, $29.99, then the next one i got about that 5 years later, was at a Pilot, when they first starting popping up across the country for $19.99..>!!!

you should be ok for what travel bag(s) you are taking.

by the way, back then?

all the parking you could find at a Pilot...lol

 

Getting where you're going would be the least of your worries if GPS went down. They're relied on for timekeeping on the stock market and many other important things. It'd be a calamity.

 

That's about the size of bag I brought with my trainer. He had an open cabinet so I could put stuff in. Then while driving, the bags were thrown on to the beds and when we shut down for the day, they got moved to the driver's seat so we could still climb in and out of the passenger seat if we needed to leave the truck.
Just get with your trainer ahead of time to see what kind of space you'll be working with