Navigation tools

yeah I have been through a few detours, they always show where the detour is going, dont worry about that GPS rerouting, follow those signs until your back on the highway, also be careful taking a route thinking you might get passed a wreck etc, not all exits are truck friendly even if you dont see the truck forbidden sign....

 

Well i am a rookie myself, but i did buy an atlas, i have been looking through it, one thing that i noticed that it listed was that in the u.s., all highways that are indicated with an even number run east to west (side to side) and all highways that are indicated with an odd number run north to south (up and down), for example in california is the big i-5, which is an odd number, runs north to south. I dont know if this helps, but it will help me in the future cuz at least i will have a sense as to what direction i will be driving.

 

you will also see the direction posted on most interstate/highway signs too

One of my rookie mistakes in the beginning would be to be going east for example, get off to stop somewhere and then when getting back on not paying attention and end up going west then have the "oh shooot" moment and have to get to the next exit and turn around, I learned from those mistakes quickly and havent done that in awhile lol.

The atlas is good for a lot of stuff, will also give you restricted roads, low clearances, fuel taxes, info for hazmat, even tips for pre trip inspections

 

Yes lol, i love my atlas.....and im pretty sure i will get to know the roads when i actually get out there. And true, the highways signs do have the directions, but i notice ppl dont pay attention. This will help me navigate even better a lot of ppl dont have a common sense of north, east, south and west, all they know or care to know is left and right, up and down

 

The best way to learn is by what you're doing now..

written directions , road atlas - paper maps - asking questions - calls -

a gps , smart phone (Electronic Technology) etc are nice but all is not lost with out them

Locals don't always know the best way in or out for a big truck, when all they know is car or pick up routes...

 

Wait until you go through Milwaukee ,Wi. You will be going due south or north on Hwy 94.. Totally screws you up .. But it will swing back to the correct directions. First time I got off the freeway because I thought the signs were wrong.

 

We all know all tools are useful but you just can't count it 100% no matter what you doing you still have to use road sign if you say the road sign is tiny you need to wear glasses because if you go to a restricted route with a big sign say no truck and when you get caught im sure you not going to tell them the sign was tiny even if you tell them you will still ended up with a misregard traffic signal or whatever else they want to write you with.

 

I personally just use Google Maps and Apple Maps on my iPhone. It shows the streets and exit numbers in just as much detail as a "trucker GPS" will. I've never used a standalone GPS, but you can find clever ways to mount your phone on the dash to follow the blue dot on a route. It's helpful if you don't have any landmarks to prompt a turn. Don't rely on intersections to be marked clearly or early enough. By the time you see "Dexter St.", it's probably too late to be in the correct lane to make your turn and you're hosed.

Get a Rand McNally motor carrier atlas too. It shows the big picture and highlights the truck routes for you. And it has a listing of low clearances which can sometimes be helpful.

 

All of the above.

• The RM Atlas is "the Bible" but it is also obsolete the day after it's sent to the printers as the roads are constantly changing.
• GPS Navigators are a great tool, but occasionally they get overloaded and are late with critical instructions. (Can be unreliable when you're on an urban interstate with multiple on/off ramps within a short distance.) Once you're off the highway, they are invaluable telling you when/where to turn.
• Calling the receiver, even if possible, will often connect you to an admin/clerk who knows how they drive to the place, but are not quite sure how YOU should get there or if there are any weight restrictions and/or low overpasses.
• Cell phone (aka Google/Apple maps) Generally better than the clerk, but still dumb as rocks with regard to whether your truck can use that route.

Take it easy and look at maps for "the usual suspects" that often cause trouble:

• RR Tracks
• Rivers
• One-way streets
• Truck restricted "boulevards" and/or "parkways"
• Tunnels

It gets down to the most important tool, you. Slow down and look around. Scanning Up/Down and Left/Right ask yourself how you can get out of what you're getting into.

Good luck!