| Before you take to the highways for your next | | | | suppliers, keeping in mind the higher quality |
| vacation or business trip, look for a good | | | | sources like Rand McNally, etc. Also look for |
| map or two to take along. Although you may | | | | more recent maps, preferably for the current |
| know the way there quite well, an up-to-date | | | | year, although some stores may not stock the |
| map may be able to show you shortcuts or help | | | | latest edition. Then try to get map coverage |
| you avoid road construction and other delays. | | | | for the most specific part of your trip |
| Don't take chances on a stressed-out memory | | | | rather than for a three-state area that will |
| or a change of location for a business or | | | | just make your travel route harder to find. |
| address that you haven't visited in some | | | | Use a highlighter or marker to trace your |
| time. And you certainly don't want to end up | | | | route, taking care not to obliterate the |
| in a strange city without a hint of where to | | | | exits or town names you need to look for when |
| stay or what to do while you're there. Take | | | | driving. |
| advantage of some of these low-cost maps and | | | | |
| services. | | | | One of the best ways to get a quality roadmap |
| | | | is by joining your local automobile |
| The easiest and fastest type of road map most | | | | association. In addition to providing free |
| people can get is over the Internet by | | | | maps that plot your trip from one location to |
| visiting one of the popular map sites for | | | | another, the staff will highlight the driving |
| road trips. In a matter of seconds, you can | | | | areas for you so that you just pick up the |
| type in your starting address as well as your | | | | maps and you're ready to go. The association |
| intended destination, and receive a | | | | typically offers lodging and attraction |
| downloadable map charting your course as well | | | | guides for major cities, rating hotels and |
| as a list of driving instructions. Just print | | | | motels with a five-star system and detailed |
| and go! You might want to visit a couple of | | | | information on which accommodations are |
| these sites and compare them for the simplest | | | | available through various lodging chains. You |
| or fastest way to get where you want to go, | | | | can find out where to get Internet service, a |
| although chances are that both routes will be | | | | swimming pool, and other amenities, including |
| similar. The more you do this, the better | | | | parking options, with these helpful guides. |
| feel you will get for which site has the best | | | | |
| updates on construction areas and highway | | | | Don't start your trip empty-handed. Fill up |
| modifications. | | | | with the latest travel information that will |
| | | | make your journey more pleasant and |
| Another way to get a useful map is to pick up | | | | productive and get you where you want to go |
| one up a convenience store, department store, | | | | with the greatest possible ease. |
| or gas station. Check for brand names of map | | | | |