Trip planning....something to remember and consider.

[Uturn2001]

You will hear vets talk about planning out thier trips to include things like fuel stops, where they will take meal and rest breaks etc.

Basically what they do is figure out how far they can or want to go in a given amount of time and then from either the map, an exit guide of some kind, fuel stop list, etc find a place where they want to stop and 2 or 3 backups that they can get to within the time frame they have.

When doing this there are a few big things to remember. What you are hauling and where you are hauling it will effect how far you can travel in any given amount of time.

For example: It will take you a lot longer to go 250 miles in Colorodo pulling 45,000 lbs than it will in Kansas. So keep this in mind when planning your trips.

[Capt._Chaos]

Good post, Uturn!

When drivers get into the habit and put together a trip plan ahead of time, they eliminate a lot of headaches for themselves.

It helps to get directions to all customers (all stops) ahead of time, as well as setting goals for yourself to see how far you will try to go each day.

Planning fuel stops about mid-afternoon with a shower and meal break helps to break the monotony of longer trips.

[Hillbilly]

Now, you see the ROOKIES! I do it from MEMORY, not books! Just kidding, you're right, with proper planning, a trip can actually be an enjoyable experience. Seriously, I do most of my planning from memory, but I've been out here for more than 30 yrs. But, once you get in the habit of thorough planning, over time, by the time you get back to the truck with the paperwork, you have mentally, already got most of your trip planned. You get to where you do it without even thinking about it.

[Big_Dave]

But, once you get in the habit of thorough planning, over time, by the time you get back to the truck with the paperwork, you have mentally, already got most of your trip planned. You get to where you do it without even thinking about it.
Got that right!

It's to the point now that about the only time I use the atlas is when I get near the city I'm going to or if I'm going into an area where I haven't been to in a while or have never been to at all.

If my wife is riding along, sometimes she'll ask me, "How do you know where you're going?"
************
Dave, been down that road before. ;)

[Hillbilly]

I know exactly what you mean. A couple years ago, my daughter went with me, so we had to do some movin stuff around to make room. We were out 22 days. On day 15, we realized the atlas was left at home! Hadn't needed it till I wanted to look at the Denver city map.

[Roadranger13]

I always trip plan. Even if it is over the same basic route, no two trips are ever the same. The best trip plan I have ever heard? I was coming out of Chicago and getting on I-65 south and a call came on the c.b. "does I-65 take me to Nashvill?" :wtf: Must not have even owned an atlas!
Planning just gives me peace of mind.

[itrucker]

Amen! Proper trip planning prepares you better for what you can't prepare for--the unexpected! :yikes:

Or to say it another way, when the surprises arrive, you'll be better equipped to react to them rather than showcase the seedier side of your vocabulary over the CB radio! :p

BTW, it never ceases to amaze me how intelligent some of us professionals are by listening to the CB! ;)

- Chris