Atlas question/trip planning

Are there any basic skills to learn about trip planning using an atlas? I've read a couple of really good threads on trip planning, like this one:
http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...-planning-old-school-meets-new-school.242526/
But I'm still making mistakes I don't know how to avoid. I ALWAYS check the restricted roads at the front of the atlas, it's a current Rand Mcnally. I did ask a senior driver where I work for advice, he told me to go to the USA map for trip planning, and use those roads shown there for longer trips. Not really helpful in this case, but still good advice. (I will add I typically try to avoid toll roads)

Last weeks screwup- Downton Philly to Liberty, NY. Took 611 north, then at Stroudsberg, I planned on 209 over to Matamoros, then 42 up to Monticello, Liberty is right there off 17. 611 has 300 stoplights just to get out of Philly, so that's one huge mistake. Get up to 84 outside Stroudsberg, and see a huge sign saying no commercial vehicles on 209. Get on the CB and ask why, get laughed at for being a new driver, told to go back over to 380. So, on the atlas, that was the straightest line I could see to where I wanted to go. I couldn't have picked a worse route if I was blindfolded.

Is there a reason why 209 wouldn't be listed in the atlas as restricted?

Other screwup lately was ALL driver error. Trego, WI over to St Paul, MN. Took the advice in the thread I linked, wrote down the turns in my notebook, 70 west to 35 south. Turned left onto Highway 35, not INTERSTATE 35.

 

I double checked last weekend when I was home, I would swear 209 in Pennsylvania is not listed. Mines sitting in my truck or I would go look again.

What state did you check? I NEVER thought to check New York, or New Jersey.......

Thats a good tip on the other routes, like I said, all driver error. It was a a cancellatin/hurry up and go to St Paul/looked quick and off I went. I learned a lesson.

 

Ok, thank you. But how do I learn how to do that on other trips? I don't have my RM atlas here, just a cheapy. I have read other threads on here where "so and so didn't take 78 because it was hillly, and he knew 34 was nice and flat, so the extra 30 miles ends up being faster". I have no idea how to learn that, except experience.

Generally, using what you described, drving truck, the above system is the fastest way to navigate? I think I understand that the average MPH number is sometimes better than a straight line. The I80 west/380 north/I84 east looked to eat a lot of miles.

I can't believe I looked at the atlas twice and didn't see 209 in the list, it's numerical, it's either there or it isn't. I'll look a third time when I can.

Does it just take time and experience?