The Cal-look Lounge

Tyre kicking => Off Topic => Topic started by: RichardinNZ on October 21, 2014, 06:36:07 am



Title: US Road Atlas and Maps
Post by: RichardinNZ on October 21, 2014, 06:36:07 am
This may seem like a silly question in this age of the GPS, but my wife and I both like maps.  You can have them at home and plan your trip, mark things you don't want to miss etc (especially when the maps are laminated).  However, I'm looking at Amazon.com ahead of our trip to the US in January and can't spot what I need.  We are heading to Anaheim-Las Vegas-Grand Canyon-Palm Springs-San Diego-Anaheim   

Can anyone tell me whether I can find a map with all of this on (at a scale large enough to bother having) or do I need to buy one map for each state or perhaps a road atlas for the whole US? 

Many thanks
Richard


Title: Re: US Road Atlas and Maps
Post by: Fiatdude on October 21, 2014, 07:43:31 am
Automobile club has excellent maps --- don't think you can buy them without being a member -- but they have great road side service if you have problems anywhere


http://www.calif.aaa.com/home/membership.html

http://www.calif.aaa.com/home/automotive/driving-resources/trip-planning-and-maps.html


Title: Re: US Road Atlas and Maps
Post by: RichardinNZ on October 21, 2014, 08:09:29 am
Thanks for that; having just looked it appears that the NZ AA has a reciprocal agreement with the AAA which is good.  I'll search out the relevant maps.

Richard


Title: Re: US Road Atlas and Maps
Post by: Rick Meredith on October 21, 2014, 18:30:24 pm
Another good source of maps for the south west US are Thomas Guides. Back in the day when I was a delivery driver... well before GPS, Thomas Guides were essential. One nice feature is that they are spiral bound allowing them to sit flat on any page.

They should be available from Amazon as well as several other online stores.


Title: Re: US Road Atlas and Maps
Post by: Taylor on October 21, 2014, 22:32:05 pm
My Dad used to blow me away with a Thomas Guide,  LA and Orange County,  he would just see an address and flip a couple pages and bam, he'd find it.


Title: Re: US Road Atlas and Maps
Post by: RichardinNZ on October 23, 2014, 06:15:31 am
Thanks for the Thomas Guide information.  I'll look for them too. 

Richard


Title: Re: US Road Atlas and Maps
Post by: Fastbrit on October 23, 2014, 15:10:08 pm
Best more general road atlases by far are from Rand McNally. Been using them for 30+ years.
www.randmcnally.com


Title: Re: US Road Atlas and Maps
Post by: RichardinNZ on October 26, 2014, 02:24:16 am
Hi Keith
Thanks for this.  Have you just used one of the atlases or have you tried their maps?  I was just wondering about scale and the detail they will show.

Thanks
Richard