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!

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.

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

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

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.