I can't answer your question, but I can give you a bit of advice - check
the date the map was produced, not the date it was printed. I've got maps
of my own city kicking around that leave out entire subdivisions, and I
once had a surreal conversation with a clerk who, when I asked how recent
a map was, pointed out that it had been printed that year. I said, yes,
but it couldn't have been *produced* that year, could it, since it left
out x, y and z, and did she have anything more recent? She never did
understand my questions, since there was such a recent date on the map she
was offering me, why would I want something even more recent?

I like Rand McNally maps, but I usually go digital and use Google maps.
If you have specific routes you will be following (ie. from town A to
town B, or even from address A to address B), I highly suggest going to
google maps and plotting a course. That, and a handy map should be able
to minimize the chances of getting lost. :)

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From: djmaizels@mac.com (Debbie Wilson)

As others have said, the Rand McNally's are pretty good.
My suggestion for travel in unfamiliar areas would be to get
a good GPS navigator (I'm kinda partial to Garmin, myself).
They're not cheap, but once you use one you'll never want to
deal with those paper maps, again.

For your large-coverage atlas, I would suggest the Motor Carrier's Road
Atlas. It's by Rand McNally, and it tends to have a bit more detail than
the standard road atlas. It is intended for truck drivers, and you can
be sure that truck drivers are very particular about having accurate
maps! If you have a chance to visit a US truck stop before your trip you
will probably be able to find the standard version for under $10. If you
have to order online, the current version is still under $20. I would NOT
recommend the deluxe addition - it has laminated pages that hold up very
well, but for your purposes it would be overkill.

If you have a GPS receiver and a laptop, I recommend DeLorme Street Atlas
software. Actually, it could even be pretty handy if you don't have a GPS,
just for it's wonderful maps. I used mine extensively when I was still
driving a truck. In fact, there were many times when I would have become
badly lost if not for the mapping software. I don't how much it costs new,
but you can find last year's edition (which is still pretty accurate) on
eBay for really cheap.

Dan

I love Rand McNally maps, but I usually stop at a gas station or Wal-Mart as
soon as I get to a town where I'm going to be driving the streets, rather
than a main thoroughfare, and buy a map of that town/city.  I have some
floating around here for a lot of different cities, but none in the areas
that you're heading for.

Often you can get city maps by googling the city and/or state that you're
going to be going to.  I also like Victor's suggestion about getting on line
maps.  We use map quest a lot for local directions.

Good luck on your trip.  That is a big area that you're going to be in.

Pam S.

No apologies necessary!  I always use the Rand McNally Atlas.  When John and
I travel, I'm the navigator.  I, who was until a few years ago map-clueless,
managed to find us the easiest and most direct route from Davenport, Iowa
down to Houston, Texas.  Sometimes it doesn't require major highways to take
the best route (and you see some pretty interesting things if you aren't on
the highway).

IIRC, in New Jersey and Pennsylvania you are liable to encounter "turnpikes"
(basically the main inter-state routes which require you pay a toll as you
go).

I don't know about RM having *detailed* city plans since I'm not sure what
it is you expect; they do have reduced down areas in the Atlas' for specific
cities.  We'd be lost (literally!) without the Atlas!

Jill

We buy a new Rand MeNally atlas every few years, and get local maps for
anywhere we might need them from the American Automobile Association.  I've
found the maps provided by car rental places very good in most cities.  And
to get a "feel" for where you are going try downloading Google Earth.

Jo

On the rare occasions when I've done any cross-country
driving, I always got maps from the AAA.  The have something
- called a "Triptick" if I remember rightly - which consists
of quite detailed roadmap strips in a little booklet,
starting at your point of departure, and giving you a route
to your destination (or destinations).  If there are
particular places you want to see along the way, you can ask
that they be included in your route.  The last time I used
one was twenty years ago (God, how quickly time flies!), but
at that time they were provided free to Auto Club members.
However, there may be a charge now, if they still furnish them.

I like AAA for individual state and city road maps.  They also make
excellent tour guides.  It might be worthwhile for you to join just so you
could obtain these products because you can get any number you want free of
charge but *only* if you are a member.  Membership also entitles you to
reduced rates at a number of motels and hotels, and AAA will map out the
routes if you want help getting to specific destinations.  The obvious
problem, of course, is that I don't know if non-residents can join.  I do
suggest that you check into it, though.  Where do you live?

MaryL

Debbie, how soon will you be leaving?  I have a good New Jersey/Pennsylvania
map and a USA map that I could mail to you (AAA maps) if there is enough
time. I could also send a Pittsburgh city map, but it doesn't sound like you
will be that far west.  Please email me privately with your address if you
want the maps.  My email attached to this is valid except that you need to
"take-out-the-litter" first.

MaryL

Debbie,

If you are willing to pay the extra cash for the Gazetteer, it will
have detailed maps of every square mile of the state it is for.  It
also indicates topography to a certain degree, so if you are looking
for flat areas or mountains, it will help you find it.  I find them
very handy for navigating through unfamiliar areas.

Grins,

Lori