Atlas question/trip planning

These kinds of screw ups happen to every single one of us...it is how you learn. Ive been in plenty of hairy situations, it is how you react to the situation you got yourself into that makes the difference. If it were easy everyone would be doing it. The northeast can be tricky sometimes, but just make notes of what roads not to go on or certain routes that work well in a particular lane.

 

I know this is going to sound nerdy. I love maps. Been collecting interstate roadmaps since I was 5. I have one for almost every state. When i was otr i would plan stops at welcome centers or rest areas just to get one free so for me trip planning comes natural. However we all struggle. I had trouble figuring what time I would be at what place. Like my trainer told me on fridat he would be there at 6 on saturday to get me. I could never do that.

1st trick is figure out on the map where you are. I would then look where i was picking up and dropping. Unless you are picking or dropping right off the interstate then you know you will be on side roads. I always looked to see what options were for interstates and generall run ones that i knew.

Before you set your route for sure call customer for directions. Their docks maybe set up where you have to enter a certain way or maybe one truck route only through town. That will give you more accurate picture. Then see what interstates and roads close to that. Work backwards. Find out where you are going and work your way to where you are.

You can always ask for help here too.

 

As long as it is a motor carrier atlas you should be fine. If it's not spend the money. Not all restricted roads are signed ahead of time.

As for finding the easy way - trial and error. Only way to know if a route is viable is to talk with other drivers or just take it once. If you see other big trucks - especially OO/ small fleet - it's probably viable. If you're the only big truck, or if by the time you're done you want to mail the keys back, put that road on the "only if the customer is on it" list.

You'll figure it out. Just remember safety route first, fast route second, easy route third.

 

The list in the front is not all inclusive, and roads can change since publication. The 2016 atlas is available early fall 2015. Route 209 was used as a thru route but it was not supposed to be. A quick Google search on pa 209 gave me this:

http://m.poconorecord.com/article/20130512/news/305120332

I'm guessing it might have been legal, but discouraged, until August 2015.

As a general rule I will stay on STAA routes (highlighted) unless it is the only way. I also try and avoid any road going thru state/national parks.

 

My advise...stay away from Philly. Tell your dispatcher you have diarrhea. I love that excuse. What are they going to say?

 

US209 has been closed to commercial vehicles

US 209 has been closed to trucks between Bushkill and Milford PA for more than 20 years.

 

That's my goto whenever I'm late for anything.

Look away embarrassingly when they get snappy at you. Wave em and whisper the bombshell on em with one eye closed for dramatic effect.

Works every single time.

Cept I say "I haaaddd thheeee shhhiiiitttssss"


Just takes time op.
3 months of driving around the country and you'll figure it out. Until then. Swing wide.

 

A good GPS will help you a lot. I know it's real money, but it pays for itself. Punch in the destination, double-check the route against the atlas and the assigned miles. I've had a GPS steer me wrong, so I DO check it, but it's wrong about 1 time in 1000 when it comes to restricted routes. I use a Rand McNally and update anytime I get free wi-fi.