With 168 years of mapmaking experience under their belts, you can trust Rand McNally state maps to give you the quality and reliability to plan every leg of your road trip. Tom Vitacco, Director of GIS with Rand McNally Publishing and Tristan Lyttle, Senior Product Manager with Avenza Maps have a few tips that will help you effectively plan your next road trip!

Plan ahead

Planning a road trip can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey. Rand McNally state maps offer a complete view of the entire state, including all major roads, towns, and points of interest, making trip planning and route visualization a breeze. After you’ve chosen your route, you can use the Draw & Measure tool in Avenza Maps to plan your route and Placemarks to highlight potential stops to rest, eat, and explore along the way. Before you start your journey, check your vehicle’s condition, pack accordingly for the expected weather, and make reservations in advance. When you hit the road, you can use the Navigation tool to always know where your next stop is and ensure you never miss a turn or your destination!

Be prepared

Make sure to download the digital state maps before your trip so you can access them anytime, even in remote areas. And if your GPS happens to lose signal or your phone dies, it is always a good idea to have the print version in your vehicle! Having both digital and print maps ensures you have a reliable backup plan, enhancing your safety and confidence while exploring new territories. Remember, being well-prepared allows you to focus more on enjoying your adventure and less on worrying about potential navigation issues as you’ll be able to stay on track regardless of any unexpected challenges that may come up during your trip. So, equip yourself with both digital and print maps to experience the freedom of worry-free exploration.

Map your memories

Avenza Maps has tools that let you document your journey from start to finish right on the map. You can record your route, mark highlights, add notes and photos; so you can vividly map out and cherish your memories long after your trip. You can even share every highlight you map with friends and family, making it easy to relive and recount your experiences with loved ones. With Avenza Maps, every adventure becomes a well-documented story, ready to be revisited and shared anytime.

Don’t be afraid to explore off the beaten path

“These maps provide the perfect level of detail for their intended use as a trusted reference for travel planning and navigation.” says Tom. “If you zoom out to see an entire state on navigation or routing apps, most of the map content disappears because it was not built to display well at smaller scales. Rand McNally Publishing maps show more content because they were created for print and converted to digital, allowing for a “big picture” view of the state which is very helpful for planning.”

This means that if you take a detour, by choice or necessity, you have all the tools and information you need to get back to your pre-planned route with ease. It's like having a reliable travel companion who always knows the best way forward. 

So, embark on your next road trip with the assurance that you can navigate with confidence, document each memorable moment, and effortlessly relive your experiences with ease and precision. With the right tools and a well-planned itinerary, your journey becomes more than just a road trip—it transforms into a series of unforgettable adventures that you can cherish and share for years to come.

Discover print versions of the Rand McNally state maps here!

For those who prefer digital access, download the Rand McNally state maps here and enjoy the convenience of having them at your fingertips.