Community Forums

capslittle · 05-08-2019, 10:38 AM

I am wondering which paper map atlas to buy. We have 45’ toy hauler.
Large scale road atlas vs Motor Carriers, I have heard both but just want to but one.
Thank you for advice.

riverforest · 05-08-2019, 10:42 AM

I keep all my paper maps in my iphone.. do they even make paper maps anymore ?

used to get maps in gas stations, and if I think back far enough they were Free...

capslittle · 05-08-2019, 10:51 AM

Didn’t know about paper map could be put on iphone that only problem is sometimes it hard to see the overall route in detail. Thanks

Fiesta48 · 05-08-2019, 10:53 AM

I use paper maps. GPS directions are unreliable, I only used as guidance after looking at paper. Paper is easier to read, does not need any power, shows dirt roads, and up is north.
Best, and cheapest are from Walmart. If I want detail zoom in on Google maps.
If you want to travel great distances use regional or country wide, cell phone maps are too small.

Farkey · 05-08-2019, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capslittle

Didn’t know about paper map could be put on iphone that only problem is sometimes it hard to see the overall route in detail. Thanks

That's the biggest reason I prefer paper maps over GPS or any other digital service.

It's just my comfort level.

RichR · 05-08-2019, 10:56 AM

I like the atlas that Walmart has, large print and easy to use.

cmac7203 · 05-08-2019, 10:58 AM

Former big rig driver here. I used BOTH. Paper was Motor Carriers Atlas and used trucking version of Rand McNally GPS. Ensured paper “caught” mistakes of GPS unit. Modified GPS route if necessary using MCA.

FIRE UP · 05-08-2019, 11:04 AM

Yeeeeep,
They still make them. We have stuff on our phone, we have a dash mounted 7" Garmin and, we have an Atlas and one other road map book, both on spiral bound set of covers. We use all of them, for various circumstances. Computers (ie. phones) and such, don't always show EVERYTHING. Each one has it's values and, are applicable in different circumstances. There's times in the evening, when I sit and "cruise" around in the largest road Atlas we have. I like BIG pictures and print. And, in many cases, I need to see the BIG picture of a route.
Scott

capslittle · 05-08-2019, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiesta48

I use paper maps. GPS directions are unreliable, I only used as guidance after looking at paper. Paper is easier to read, does not need any power, shows dirt roads, and up is north.
Best, and cheapest are from Walmart. If I want detail zoom in on Google maps.
If you want to travel great distances use regional or country wide, cell phone maps are too small.

The ones you got from Walmart was this motor carrier (for truckers) or the standard type?

twogypsies · 05-08-2019, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE UP

Yeeeeep,
They still make them. We have stuff on our phone, we have a dash mounted 7" Garmin and, we have an Atlas and one other road map book, both on spiral bound set of covers. We use all of them, for various circumstances. Computers (ie. phones) and such, don't always show EVERYTHING. Each one has it's values and, are applicable in different circumstances. There's times in the evening, when I sit and "cruise" around in the largest road Atlas we have. I like BIG pictures and print. And, in many cases, I need to see the BIG picture of a route.
Scott

I agree. I like to see the BIG picture not a tiny screen of a small area.

For the western states I love the Benchmark series of atlases. They publish one for each state..... big ratio so you can see everything. These are especially good if you enjoy driving secondary roads, gravel roads or 4-wheeling roads in public areas. These atlases are the first 'go to'.

AGoodLife · 05-08-2019, 01:12 PM

I carry a Walmart brand large scale paper atlas for rough routing then use my state specific Delorme Gazetteers to finalize my route and during travel.

saddlesore · 05-08-2019, 01:22 PM

Large Print Rand McNally Motor Carriers Road Atlas..
After 50 years trucking.. just more comfortable using them..

(also lists low clearances for bridges/tunnels, weight/length restrictions and such...)

twogypsies · 05-08-2019, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGoodLife

I carry a Walmart brand large scale paper atlas for rough routing then use my state specific Delorme Gazetteers to finalize my route and during travel.

I invite you next time you're near a bookstore to take a comparison look at Delorme vs. Benchmark. We started off with Delorme, also. Benchmark is 100% better for detail and readability.

SLOweather · 05-08-2019, 01:51 PM

I use paper maps from AAA to lay out trips and then enter the route into Street Atlas on the PC, and/or Off-Line Maps and Navigation on the tablets.

Right now, there is a US AAA map on my wall with sticky notes on it as we plan our Grand Tour east from California to the Mississippi visiting sites related to our families, and other things.

I also keep paper maps handy by my TV chair to peruse when planning a trip.