planning a route?

Learn to read the MC Atlas.

 

go to the local bookstore or else a truck stop and get the Rand McNally Motorcarrier atlas.

Make sure it's the motor carrier atlas too.

Book stores want $21 for it, trucks stops I have seen them for $9.99.

 

Ok all you need is a map, a littlecommen sense with the gross wieght, some simple math , , and a pad of paper . Write destination from shipper to receiver, additional pages for a multi stop. To get your milage take milage devide by ten percent, that will be your cushio n for oh dear lord situations, add both numbers together actual milage devide this 45 as most loads are planned at such speeds that will be the hours it will take you to get there at that speed always leave yourself some oh my word time......

 

Please, don't be in Houston asking on the CB how to get from there to Birmingham, AL and don't ask you're dispatcher. Some companies will send cryptic routing info to the truck and for some this is mandatory to follow, and other companies this is merely a suggested route. You need to get very familiar and comfortable with a paper atlas (trucker version) You can use mapquest to get a general idea of shortest vs fastest route, but this should not be your sole source for navigating point A to b in a truck.

Tunnels are more of a concern if you're hauling hazardous materials. To be brief, you're best bet is to try and drive highlighted trucker designated routes (in motor carrier atlas) as much as possible while en route.

 

I almost put down pay phone in that last post...

 

Put the address in your gps and follow it come hell or high water yeehaww

 

Or brick wall?

 

Part of every trip is your trip planning.

The bigger carriers have fuel managers that use fuel programs. Along with telling you where to fuel, they tell you which route to follow. Some companies in an effort to save money might dodge toll roads also.

But the normal trucker, you rely on your Rand McNally Motor Carrier Atlas like others said. If you are going to be in the business, invest in the laminated version as it gets heavy usage and lasts 10X as long.

That atlas has the majority of truck routes listed along with weigh stations, low clearances, restricted routes, rest area's and a wealth of other trucker's info.

GPS's are only about 90% reliable unless you buy one of the trucker versions. But you can do your route planning and program the GPS to match it so you don't end up at some low bridge. Some can't grasp that concept. I had an I-Way 650C built in the dash of my last truck. It had all the truck stops programmed in along with any business and google earth. It was a very handy tool. That's all a GPS is, is a tool. Learn to use it properly and only secondary to the paper map.

Restricted routes are usually within close proximity to the customers. Most customers have canned directions when you call them and that can be very helpful.

Over time, the interstate and highway system gets burned in your brain just like you know your local directions. A driver knows where to go and just has to figure the local stuff out.