Rand McNally Truckers Atlas

No matter how long you’ve been driving, getting lost is always a possibility, especially if you’re taking an unfamiliar route. Hours spent lost on the road can cost a driver precious time and money, and most drivers try to avoid this predicament as much as possible. Some want to avoid it so badly that they buy expensive GPS units or software programs to avoid the situation. But according to etrucker.com, most truckers are still sticking with their Atlases and paper maps instead of going with electronic methods of finding their way.

According to etrucker.com, the companies that manufacture trucker-targeted atlases have argued that the maps are necessary for professional drivers. Atlases for commercial drivers are easy to store in behind the seat organizers or between the seats and pull out for quick and easy reference. Atlases also have an advantage over GPS units in that drivers can map out their routes the old fashioned way, using pen and pencil to follow them on the map. But even once a trucker has decided to stick with the paper instead of electronics, there are a host of brands and types of Atlases that he or she can choose from.

The Rand McNally brand atlases are by far the most popular. According to a McNally spokesperson, the atlases are produced every six months, but truckers often keep their atlases for several years because of their reliability. In 2004, Rand McNally released the Large Scale Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas for the first time. Now, a 2008 edition of the Atlas is available for truckers who want to make sure they know where they’re going. Made for the tough life of the trucker, the atlases feature maps that are over 30 percent larger than standard maps and printing on tear and water-resistant paper. Contained in a spiral-bound book, the atlas is the ultimate in ease and accessibility for truckers.

But for those who think the large scale atlas is too fancy, Rand McNally also sells the Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas, which features the same information as the large scale atlas on a smaller scale, and the Deluxe Motor Carries’ Road Atlas, which features heavy-duty, laminated pages that can used over and over again for route drawings and notes.

All of the Rand McNally atlases contain far more than maps and directions, however. The atlases also feature a host of information important to commercial truckers, including mileage and hazardous material regulations. Map features also allow truckers to search pre-configured routes between cities. An emergency directory in the back of the Atlas allows drivers state to state emergency access. The company also has a web site where current road construction information is listed.

Though GPS units may be gaining popularity among truckers, most like to keep atlases on hand, even if they are only used as back ups for the electronic mapping software. Using Rand McNally’s maps specifically formulated for commercial drivers allows truckers to navigate the road with confidence and ease.