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A road map is a valuable tool for any traveler. Whether your plans involve a cross-country trip or a stay in an unfamiliar city, properly selecting and using a roadmap will insure a successful journey.
Choosing A Road Map
Different maps are appropriate for different purposes. The more detailed the map, the more useful it will be for an extended stay in one area, when you may need to understand surface streets, back roads, and out-of-the-way shortcuts. If you are planning a long-distance drive, however, a large-scale map may be more appropriate. It will not offer details of every city, but it does cover more territory and provides general guidelines for interstate travel. Depending on the nature of your trip, it may be wise to have both a large-scale map for the journey and a small-scale, detailed map of the destination.
Road construction is a constant driving hazard, making it vital to have the most updated map possible. Printed maps are updated annually, but the changes may be several years old. While this is fine for general use, it becomes less valuable when greater detail and accuracy is required. More recent maps are available through online databases, which often provide additional services such as calculating driving distances and highlighting hotels, restaurants, and local attractions. Large cities often have very detailed and accurate maps available through the chamber of commerce or relocation agency, either for free or at a minimal cost.
Select a map that fits well in your vehicle. A large, spiral-bound map is easily damaged when stuffed into the glove compartment or other small spaces, while smaller maps may be lost under piles of other papers or equipment. Laminated maps are less likely to tear or stain accidentally, and they often fold more easily than other versions.
Finding Your Way
Before beginning your trip, preview the route. This will not only help you plan the journey, but you also gain familiarity with the map’s features, scale, and notations. This practice is useful if you must adjust your plans or follow detours along the route. Most road maps indicate where rest stops or welcome facilities are located, which can help plan refueling stops or general stretch breaks.
If the trip is complicated, a cheat sheet can be helpful. Using the map, take note of major interstate changes, key cities, exit numbers, and approximate mileage between turning points along the route. Preparing this brief, written description of your journey will help you remember the directions as well as provide a quick, easy reference rather than needing to scrutinize the map at every turn. If you are traveling through unfamiliar areas, be sure your notes are detailed enough to guide you through complicated interchanges. It may also be helpful to note things you should not see, such as a particular road or specific interchange that indicates you missed your turnoff. This helps minimize any time you may be lost.
With your map on hand, visit major city websites to check road construction projects. Road improvements are most frequent in the spring and summer, though in southern climates major projects are ongoing year-round. Knowing what to expect can help you plan alternate routes and adjust for anticipated delays.
Use the map’s mileage scale (usually located in a corner of the page and given in both miles and kilometers per hour) to calculate when you will approach major cities along your route. This can help you anticipate rush hour traffic jams and plot alternate routes accordingly. When estimating driving time, assume a rate of 55 or 60 miles per hour on the interstate to help account for rest stops and slowdowns. Taking a bypass loop around a major city may be a greater distance, but it can save time if you will reach the area when commuter traffic is at its peak.
If your map is only for a single trip, it is advantageous to highlight your route in a noticeable color. This will let you determine your path at a glance, rather than needing to scrutinize the map just to find where you have already been. For further convenience, you can mark off where you have already traveled each time you check the map so you have a better idea of remaining distance. Consider highlighting alternate routes in different colors to facilitate detours or unexpected changes of plan.
For safety, never attempt to read a road map while the car is in motion. If necessary, move to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights while studying the route, or stop in a rest area, gas station, or other place out of the traffic flow. Rest areas and gas stations often have large, detailed local maps if you need to double check the accuracy of your map, and they often include road construction information.
If your trip will take multiple days, review your map each night. This refreshes the details of the next day’s drive, and you can make any necessary adjustments based on the distance you have already covered.
For long and short drives, an appropriate road map is an essential tool. By selecting the proper map for your needs, previewing the route, and planning alternate paths, you minimize the possibility of getting lost, wasting time, and becoming frustrated. Getting there is half the fun only if you know where you are going.
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