online trucking map?

[scania]

Do y'all know if there's an online trucking map online somewhere?

[devildice]

Not sure if this is what you're looking for......

http://etrucker.truckmiles.com/

[Trubbledog]

Thanks Devildice... Dang, that was quick & easy for sure. Questions just off of the top of the head: Does it account for stuff like bridge heights, and weight limits? If so....... COOL!

[Uturn2001]

Anytime you use a computer generated routing system you need to check the route given against information found in your MC atlas. If you do not have an MC atlas and know how to use it then you should not be driving a truck.

[Trubbledog]

Agreed Uturn. Received mine a few weeks ago. If that's "large scale", I'd hate to see the small scale. One question, is there any difference between this here site and mapquest, as far as routing goes? I'm guessing not.

[golfhobo]

Agreed Uturn. Received mine a few weeks ago. If that's "large scale", I'd hate to see the small scale. One question, is there any difference between this here site and mapquest, as far as routing goes? I'm guessing not.

If, by "this here site" you mean the ETrucker site listed above.... there is a WORLD of difference!

I wouldn't trust Mapquest to find the capital of the U.S.!!! However, the truckmiles program will only get you to the city.... not an address there. Mapquest will get you to the address..... but it will probably be on the wrong side of town! :x

[Trubbledog]

Yeah, come to think of it, I did have problems with mapquest a couple times. And yes ETrucker just did zip-2-zip. Any oppinion on ya-who maps?

[larryh31]

Yeah, come to think of it, I did have problems with mapquest a couple times. And yes ETrucker just did zip-2-zip. Any oppinion on ya-who maps?

Trubbledog, I wouldn’t use mapquest at all will driving a big truck. If you miss a turn or something finding a safe place to turn around can be very difficult to say the least. If you have a laptop, I would suggest that use either Delorme Street Atlas or Microsoft Streets & Trips. Both programs can be had for about $100 with GPS. They are not truck specific, so you still will have to watch for low clearances, etc. But they will give you more detail than Yahoo Maps and Mapquest. Plus, you are not going to always have an Internet or cell phone connection on the road.

[Trubbledog]

Thanks Larryh31, Yes I have streets and trips loaded on my laptop. It also has a few quirks as i remember. (haven't used it lately) In the past I have pittted yeah-whoo against mapquest against streets&trips, with a made up scenarios just for s&g's. I spent a few hours, and if I remember right, couldn't find a difference. Sure no shortage of mapping tools out there. Just a mater of finding the best. I got little excited when I saw the ETrucking site and thought it would be be all/end all, but really not much different than others. More research may prove differently.

[uglymutt]

I use MS S&T and when it can,t find a address I use google map, it finds everything....

[Trubbledog]

Did a quick trial on googlemap. Quick glance had me making an illegal left turn on the home stretch to my house. No biggy, but just goes to show there's always room for "human" intellegence. Still, tools are nice to have.

[golfhobo]

Did a quick trial on googlemap. Quick glance had me making an illegal left turn on the home stretch to my house. No biggy, but just goes to show there's always room for "human" intellegence. Still, tools are nice to have.

ROOM for?? IMHO.... there's no SUBSTITUTE for!!

I mainly just want to make sure that all drivers, especially newbies, are aware that any and ALL computer generated routing systems can, and ARE, inaccurate at times. Some, more than others.

A BIG part of being a trucker, is learning how to use a map, and other tools, properly to get you to your destination. And a big part of THAT, is understanding road systems, geographical relationships, and SELF RELIANCE.

If one relies too heavily on computer routing programs, or is just plain Geographically "challenged," or has never been outside of their home state, one better have a well rehearsed excuse to give their dispatcher and/or customer.

There is a good reason why certain terms such as "well traveled" and "well read" have withstood the passing of time. IMHO, if a person gets lost on their way to a customer, (including MYSELF at times,) there is no one else to blame!

[Trubbledog]

Reminds me of navigation training. They stressed redundancy. Sure, we had high tech gear, and used it. But it didn't get us out of taking fixes at every opportunity. And if we couldn't find anything to get a fix on, we plotted dead reckoning. And at night, we practiced celestial naviagation. I'm itch'n to learn more, as you pointed out. Thanks for the advice.

[Double R]

I use PC Miler streets 18 on my laptop. And it is a legal version

Also have MS streets and trips. Like MS also BUT the RAND is still a drivers best friend

[ct77]

MC atlas a must.
Blackberry with Goggle maps and satelite pictures makes me wonder how the hell i lived without it, use it before i take off and i have not taken a wrong turn since. only negative thing is if you do not have cell reception it doesnt work.