what's the best brand Atlas to get?

The large print version has a coating but it is not laminated. The laminated one is less money as well, but if you are continually losing your readers or in low light, you might want to pick up a large print version. I have one of those, so far, it has survived.

On trip planning, look up the US map at the beginning of the state maps, this will give you an idea of the overall route to take, and bear in mind, any road on that map is decent, compared to other roads in the area that are truck routes.

Once you get used to a route, you don't use an atlas as much, but if you run all over, you will use it often.

Pick up a non laminated version every year for route, low clearance, and coop changes, otherwise, you may be surprised sometime with a new coop, often, Prepass isn't there yet, either, and you run the risk of missing one and getting chased down if you aren't paying attention and watching for it. Sometimes, truck routes get removed or restricted. Watch the truck stops for deals as the new ones are getting released in the summer.

 

I used magnifying glass, tried bifocal contacs, don't like those.


Lighted magnifying glass? Anyway, I tried Street and Trips and DeLorme, and the usual things Google, Mapquest, etc.

I have found getting directions to be hit and miss no matter how you do it, the best way for a driver is to get directions from someone that has actually been there in a big truck; that is 13 and a half feet tall with a trailer the same length as you are pulling.


The steps I pull have a roof built on them to hang tarps from, same rules apply because they are just as tall. Wish I could dump the front axle of those spreads, there is a lot of swing when you dump the rear axle.

I also did refrigerated and van in Chicagoland, but it has been 10 months since I was there.