what is the best Road Atlas to get?

Thing about the laminated is you can open them to the appropriate page and keep it there. Try and "fold" over a paper atlas a few times to maintain the page and the next thing you know, interior pages doing are coming out, as they are becoming separated from the flimsy staples.

But okay, buy a paper atlas and use it for 6 months to be sure trucking is going to "stick" ... then invest in a laminated atlas when the paper one ends up missing key states after a short while. I would not worry about buying one every year. Once every 4 or more years is probably sufficient.

 

Another vote for the R-M Motor Carrier's Atlas... the only one to get. As mentioned, get a new one every few years.

I got the paper one because it was cheaper and I only consulted it occasionally. My actual trips were all entered into and followed on the GPS.

Although the laminated, spiral-bound one is easier to read while you drive.

 

I like buying a RM near the end of the year. They are about half price.

 

Non laminated map books last about a year if you are touring to different locales weekly. Laminated last indefinitely

 

Right now you can large laminated Motor Carrier's Atlas straight from the Rand McNally store for $39.99 (http://store.randmcnally.com/2017-deluxe-motor-carriers-road-atlas.htm) but they are often on sale for around $30 or less at truck stops. I think I paid ether $20 or $25 for the last one I bought.

In addition to holding up much better you can write notes or highlight routes on them with a Sharpie and erase it later with alcohol.

 

After 1 year with the HUGE laminated atlas I noticed the most frequently used maps were pulling out of the binding. Also the gap between left & right page is huge. Some states like TN the most important areas are in the middle. I get a paper copy and replace it. Usually cost $10-15 versus $35, IIRC.

 

Go for the laminated-you'll be wishing so first time you spill that coffee.

 

+1! And you WILL spill on it!

 

Professional truck drivers DRINK coffee, they don't spill it. Try driving a R model Mack with a set of "clubs" and not spill any.

 

It seems the only time I spilled coffee was when I was stopped....

And back when I was in a R-model Mack, Dunkin' Donuts still had good coffee, and they still sold the "go cups" with the spill-resistant lids, and that round clip attached to the base with the two sided tape on the bottom. Stick the clip to that little flat spot in front of the ashtray on the dash, and you're STYLIN', not spillin'!

I had a few extra clips, because there was already one mounted in almost every R-model I ever drove.