How Do You Plan Your Routes?

I stay in the same region, so I go by the easiest route that will ensure coffee in the morning.

 

I use a mixture of GPS, road atlas and Google maps.

 

My GPS will give me a decent arrival time for a certain route, and the atlas will help if that route doesn't seem right.
Then I add in all the break time I'll need, or want.
Then I check the weather maps to see if I'll have more delays - especially this time of year.
And then I'll add an hour or two for the unexpected.
Keeping in mind, of course, my available hours of service during the time of the load.

 

GPS/Road atlas for general planning, GPS for being ahead of where my next exit will be, Google maps satellite view for the last leg of the race getting to the actual destination, street view to see exactly which turn will be mine, looking for any signs routing trucks in, etc.

 

^ ^ oh yeah I have a weather app that's very helpful for anticipating if ill need to pull over and what not

 

When I first went OTR the big RM atlas was an essential tool. As I gained experience I find I rarely consult it. Usually I start with Google maps, satellite view, and street view. Then I plug in an address or coordinates in my RM GPS and compare that to what I think should be the best route, select a route, then optimize it in the turn by turn.

I use the MyRadar app and Weather channel to make decisions if it's possible to avoid a bad stretch. For running to an oil rig I subscribe to the RigData app, which can get you in trouble, but is fairly good at letting you know the most up to date location of a given rig.

 

Microsoft Streets & Trips (no longer in print) on the laptop to plot different routes since it's easy to drag and drop. I'd locate where I would probably be stopping each night. Check any secondary roads for restrictions. Put the final route in the gps to see what it thinks. It's not route planning, but I'd look up each drop in Google maps satellite/street view to get an idea of the best approach, location of gates, guard shacks, etc. I'd also check the Roadbreakers app to see what overnight parking options there are.

 

I plan around the red dots in my Atlas.

 

Map. Phone call to shipper/consignee for delivery/ pick up. Put in gps for general idea of travel. Back to map for restricted routes/ clearences. Say a prayer. Start grabbin gears