That’s why I always have a highway map in my car. When you are traveling through multiple states, you may want to consider an atlas. Did you know you can order Free State Maps instead?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before your next trip to the U.S., make a list of all the states you’re planning on crossing through. Then visit the website of the tourism department you plan on visiting. Each state has a Travel Guide Section, that includes Road Maps!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Give them your address, and they’ll send you a guidebook and free highway maps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My family took advantage of this on our way from Minnesota<\/a> to Texas<\/a>. It made planning our trip so much easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not all states mail out road maps and travel guides. I don\u2019t blame them either, because they cost money and let’s face it, people love free things. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If the state map isn’t listed as an option on the travel guide page, request a guidebook. Sometimes they have maps hidden inside, or will package them together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can\u2019t get one sent to you, you\u2019ll need to stop at a rest stop. They are located next to the main highways. The locations with the most information are the first rest stop when you cross the border<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You’ll usually be able to spot them in baskets, in displays or even on the walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a great way to get free maps when you don’t have time to request one online, like when we decided to do a last minute trip to New Orleans<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One time I was traveling on Christmas day and the building was shut down, but we spotten them on the wall. Even for the states that send maps, they still provide them inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n GPS knows to show you the quickest way to get somewhere, but that\u2019s not always best. Sometimes it takes you right into traffic or through sketchy areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On the computer, Google Maps will give you alternative routes if you want to avoid certain things. But on the mobile phone, it doesn\u2019t give you that option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s when we broke out our highway map and found a new city to point to, just to avoid one city. Sorry Dallas. It also gave us the chance to see more scenic roads we never would have known about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When fatigue sets in, sometimes you want to know how much\nlonger until you reach the next milestone. That is where a state map is nice. It\nlets you see the big picture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a great opportunity to teach the kids to start learning about navigation. One of the best things my parents ever did was make sure I could read a map. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When I got out of high school, my sister and I used those maps to travel to the coast. In the age of cell phones, this skill gets overlooked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The biggest reason I have a road map in my car is that you don\u2019t always have a connection. Sometimes you will be low in a valley or deep in the woods and the phone cannot help you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Normally it\u2019s fine because you are passing through. But if you are just getting started or your app crashes you\u2019ll have to navigate yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Before leaving for your road trip, gather your maps and put them in an expandable pocket folder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a great way to keep them in good condition while not in use, and easy to find when you are heading back home through the state. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep your maps safe while you travel and put them all in an expandable pocket folder. Familiarize yourself with the paper map before you begin your journey. Refer to the legend for symbol explanations and locate landmarks or points of interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is crucial to consider the scale carefully. Check the scale of the map you are using to make sure you get accurate distances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Teach children how to read maps. Show them how to find their starting point, destination, and any points they need to visit. Encourage them to look at the map regularly and to ask questions about the route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use the map to identify potential rest stops or places to eat along your route. This can be especially helpful if you are traveling with children or have specific dietary needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider using a highlighter or pen to mark your route on the map. This can help you to keep track of your progress and identify any areas you may need to revisit later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don’t be afraid to ask for directions if you get lost. Maps are great tools, but they are not always 100% accurate. If you don’t know where you are, ask locals or stop at a rest area or visitor center for help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After you are done with the trip, make sure to keep them someplace safe. We have a bin at home filled with them. Before each trip, we grab the ones we need and request any new ones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I keep my maps for about 5 years. After that, you may want to refresh them for any new roads that have popped up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t plan on visiting the state again, you can turn your old maps into fun crafts. I have turned them into magnates. There are many variations of Map Crafts<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I’ve managed to acquire an additional map of Minnesota for my wall. I attached it to a corkboard<\/a> and started to pin every location I visited. You can do the same with Google Maps too, but it\u2019s so much more fulfilling to do it with a physical pin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What about having an atlas? This is a personal preference. If you really enjoy having everything in one place or are one of those people that have trouble folding maps, (no judgments) an Atlas <\/a>might be a better choice for you. Otherwise, consider taking advantage of the free state maps for your trip planning.<\/p>\n\n\n![\"Where](\"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Map-Pile.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow to get Free State Maps sent to you by Mail<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Explore](\"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Travel-Guides.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Order](\"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Travel-Map.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhen States Don\u2019t Mail Them?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Get Free State Road Maps in Person<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Iowa](\"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Pickup-In-Person.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Missouri](\"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Missouri-Travel-Map.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Mississippi](\"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Finding-Free-Maps.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhy I always travel with Free State Maps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
GPS doesn\u2019t always show you the best route<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Planning](\"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Planning-Route.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nNot all digital maps show you state lines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"On](\"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Map-on-the-Road.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPhysical maps are a great teaching tool for kids<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Teaching](\"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Teaching-Kids-to-Read-a-Map.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPhysical maps are perfect in remote areas with limited cellphone service<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Traveling with your maps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Small Accordion File Organizer<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nTips for Using Maps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What else you can do with your maps? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Corkboard](\"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Map-Crafts.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nStart Your Own Collection or Get an Atlas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Where](\"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Free-Travel-Maps-683x1024.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Where](\"https:\/\/daytripper28.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Roadtrip-Maps-Free-683x1024.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"