Route maps are, however, arranged in geographical order and good sheet maps can be obtained from petrol stations, information offices and in local book shops. City plans certainly come in handy, for example in Los Angeles, where there are 6,500mi of streets and 40,000 junctions.
Among the best American road maps is the large format Rand McNally Road Atlas: US, Canada and Mexico, available in paperback and hardback versions (Rand McNally have their own shops in major cities). Similar maps include the Mobil US Road Atlas and the Hamlyn Motoring Atlas USA, Canada and Mexico. Rand McNally also publish a Standard Reference Map and Guide for each state.
Free state maps are available from main tourist, publicity or welcome centres and many local tourist bureaux. Some state tourist offices, including welcome centres located on main routes just inside state borders, provide free official state highway maps to personal callers.
The AAA publishes more than 1,000 regional, state and local maps, including the AAA US Road Atlas. The AAA and other automobile clubs offer members excellent free maps and regional touring guides, a holiday planning and routing service (including the quickest or most scenic routes, as required), plus detailed maps of towns en route. Town maps are often available from local book and stationery shops.
A good map could save your life, as people who get lost in dangerous neighbourhoods are occasionally murdered!
This article is an extract from Living and Working in America. Click here to get a copy now.