Question:
I just got home from shopping for the 2003 Rand McNally Motor Carrier's Atlas (spiral bound and lamenated) since I've learned from the "flash light" thread that they're going on sale. Once there, I realized that I didn't really know what price to compare them to, having never bought one. I went to two truck stops and they both had them for close to $30. Is that about right or should I wait?

Answer:
...for the spiral, laminated Rand McNally. $35 is a good price, and $39 is not out of line. I've seen them as high as $75 in some truck stops and am amazed that somebody would pay that much. I used to buy a new one every other year in the fall at the cheap price.
A good supplement is the free State maps available at the first rest stop into the State. The city details are very useful, and State maps will have a lot more towns detailed than Rand Mcnally. Although all States have trucker versions, some of the rest stops, but not many, will have the truck version available, too.

Answer:
$30 is a good price on the laminated spiral bound version.
the paperback version usually goes for around $15.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
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Answer:
Maybe I'll still have time on the way back to pick up that big Mag Light too.

Answer:
Forget the Truckstop inflated prices. You can buy them online for less or try a Barns&Nobel.
I bought an 02 paper version at Borders for
$4.95.
Mike
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Mike

Answer:
The last Rand-McNally was a 2001 that I bought at the end of the year from a Pilot.They had them on sale for a dollar and once you bought it, the cashier would give you a mail in coupon for a dollar so the map was free, except for the stamp you used to mail it in. Doubt that I will ever see a special like that again. BTW it was a paper back map.
Coolbreeze -->

Answer:
I used to get them at the Flying J at the end of the year for around fiv bucks on the paperback version. I always have trouble reading the map through the glare on the pages of the spiral bound ones, though they do hold up much better.
«"The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above-average drivers."»

Answer:
Wouldn't it be better to wait for the 2004 atlas to come out?
Reason I say this is 'cuz then the NEW one has all the new exits, road numbers ect. We had a heck of a time in some states with the old Atlas.
Just my thoughts. -->
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"It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not!"
"Be who you are and say what you feel; because those who mind don't matter; and those who matter don't mind."
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"Thought I'd let you know that I am now in the Snapdragon part of my life- -Part of me has lost its snap, and the other part is draggin!!!!!!"

Answer:
I just bought a New one from a guy that was selling them outside of the trkstp. --> -->
Although I've bought them at stores....I've Never paid more than $30 for one.
When they go on Sale $30 is Usually the going price.
I've seen them Regular Priced at $50-$80. -->

Answer:
One of the guys in my class went to Barnes and Noble and paid 75 bucks for the spiral bound, which is the price on the back from Rand McNally.
He just about died when he saw it at the Pilot in Ft Pierce for 24.95.

Answer:
I ended up paying $29.99 plus tax for mine but I noticed that Rand McNally will gladly sell you the 2003 Atlas for the full $79.95 plus shipping. Ebay will sell you a used one for about $55. I wonder if there are other items that can be bought more cheaply at the truck stops.

Answer:
I wonder if there are other items that can be bought more cheaply at the truck stops.
NOPE!
As a matter of Fact...TrkStps are USUALLY More Expensive --> than Any Place Else.
Only time I buy something from a TrkStp is when I use my Frequent Fueler Points.
It would have to be a heck of a deal for me to pay Cash for something at a trkstp.

Answer:
http://www.natsn.com/
http://www.am-best.com/ambucks/
http://www.petrotruckstops.com/petro_passport.asp
http://www.tatravelcenters.com/ta/display_page.phtml?page_id=435
http://www.flyingj.com/programs/frequent.cfm
http://www.loves.com/Rewards_Programs.html
http://www.sinclairoil.com/truck_stops.htm
http://www.sappbrostruckstops.com/
The PILOT fuel stop chains have their own variation of a "point System", but I think those points are only good for a wk or so.(it's been awhile since I've fueled at a Pilot.)

Answer:
I got a paperback version at Sam`s Club (Walmarts version of Costco) for $9.00. It wore out and pages began falling out in three months. Replaced it with the laminated version for $30 at a Pilot somewhere.The laminated version has some glare problems, but takes the abuse of being throwen up in the cuddy and draged out by its pages when needed rapidly.Gave the paper one to Momma. -->
fishman

Answer:
We weren't satisfied with our paperback while traveling in Canada so the next time we were on our way up there we stopped at the Detroiter and purchased the laminated version for 59.95 and guess what, the page we needed was missing!! Guess someone else needed a little help in Canada too!! LOL