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