That's for sure on the MCRA. I don't use mine as often now since I run a regional area and go to a lot of the same places on a regular basis. But when going to a new area (or one I haven't been to in awhile), it's a must to check the MCRA for the route, especially if it's not all interstate.

 

I use Delorme Street Atlas USA 2008 with GPS. I paid the extra $20.00 for the phone book and use it regularly. Quite often I am going to deliver to a customer I have never been to before, with the phone book I can type in the phone number and it will map the location for me. It also maps addresses but occasionally for some reason doesn't seem to find the correct place, the phone add on verifies the location.

I can set it to Quickest Route or Shortest Route, insert VIA's or exclude roads I don't want to take. While driving I can take a glance at the laptop and tell to the 10th of a mile how far it is to the next turn and the destination.

Yes, you do have to be careful as it is not "trucking" specific, you have to ensure that the route doesn't have any load zoned bridges, low clearances, or dirt roads but that is where you do a quick double check with the Motor Carrier Atlas.

 

Google Earth works wonders for finding where the dock is located on the property :wink:

 

This is what I used to compare routes.

http://www.truckmiles.com

Best part about this site.......IT'S FREE!!

Good luck.

 

I'm not sure what's going on with Truckmiles. It *used* to give great routing, but now it's routing along roads that aren't good to run a 4-wheeler on, let alone a truck.

Here's an example:

Fairmont, WV to Richmond, VA
http://www.truckmiles.com/prodrivf.e...B2.x=39&B2.y=8

No driver in their right mind would run US 250 through WV.

 

Hmmmm....your right about that route. That's ugly. Haven't had a route like that while I used it..... But again, that was over a year ago. :wink:

 

Ya - it's strange that it's routing like that, especially being marked Truck Practical. That definitely isn't.

BTW - the correct routing would be: I79n, I68e, US522s, VA37s (Winchester loop), I81s, I66e, US17s, I95s

I run that route all the time and can almost guarantee about 4-5hrs better time than taking the suggested route that TruckMiles gave me.

 

What we need is a mapping/routing program based on trucker's experiences... :lol: :lol:

 

looks like it's sending you the shortest route even though it says practical

 

I made the mistake of using that program to get me from home to wytheville, va and it sent me on 58 west of stuart, va most anytime you see a sign not permiting trucks over 60 feet w/out permit you know you're in for some fun. oh well, can say I saw lovers leap up close