Leave dead reckoning to drift boats. When driving down a narrow road behind the wheel of a motorhome with a tow car attached, or navigating city streets pulling a fifth wheel or travel trailer, there isn’t a lot of tranquility in cruising around to see what you might happen upon. In addition to not being very cost effective, coasting along without a clear path of travel can produce some tight situations if the road happens to narrow or suddenly come to a dead end.

Cartographers have been publishing detailed outlines of geographic landmarks and roadways for more than a hundred years and referencing road maps is still a popular method of navigation today. Road maps can be purchased individually by state, or compiled in one book called a Road Atlas. If you are in the market for a road map to assist in charting out a trip, get a map that is current to include new roads, and make sure it contains a key outlining the designation of interstates, local highways, paved roadways and gravel surfaces.

Reading a road map can seem a bit disconcerting at first, but you’ll quickly learn to interpret the various colors, lines, shapes and borders. Start by locating the beginning and ending points on the map, and then list out an itemization of the roadway numbers, directional headings, cities, towns and landmarks from beginning to end. You may find it helpful to write this information in large letters using dark ink for easy at-a-glance reference as you encounter road signs along the way. During the drive, keep the road map within easy reach in the event you need to pull over for further reference.

The information highway has now merged with our interstate roadways to produce some convenient high tech mapping systems for RVers.

Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) is a technological mapping system that communicates with satellites circling the earth to pinpoint a location. With GPS you can preprogram your planned route and let the computer map everything out. Some systems provide voice command and find RV friendly routes. GPS systems are available to be installed in the dash, or as a stand-alone component, but generally require a monitor and antenna. The wide variety of GPS systems now available may make finding the right one seem daunting, but with the help of a qualified expert in the types of systems compatible for motorhome use, many RVers have found GPS to be a reliable navigation system. Before buying a GPS system, make sure you are satisfied with the display. To get the most out of your service, choose a company that offers product training as well as follow up support.

If you have access to the Internet, maps.mapquest.com is a handy site to obtain travel directions. Launched in 1996, MapQuest® uses a starting and an ending address to produce detailed directions from point to point. MapQuest guidelines are as broad as state-to-state or as specific as house to house. Electronic maps are also available on this website, as well as listings of local services. Other good Internet maps can be found at maps.google.com or maps.yahoo.com.

There are a few words of caution when you are using any type of mapping system. Roadways are always a work in progress and closures or detours can crop up at any time. Pay close attention to signage, particularly construction information. Scan ahead on a list of directions to familiarize yourself with byways and exit numbers to help you quickly regain the path of travel if an unexpected detour suddenly occurs. If you miss a turn and find yourself lost, don’t panic. Pull safely off the roadway and consult the mapping system to determine the best route that will get you back on track.

Now that you know how to get there, it doesn’t hurt to know where you are going. Part of the fun in owning an RV is having the opportunity to see different parts of the country, but even the most avid explorer likes to occasionally stop for lunch or pull into a campground for the night.

Visitor centers can be a veritable wealth of information regarding local services, and road signs are another good source of information, but unless you know the location offers RV parking, proceed with caution. Many driveways and parking lots constructed in past eras are too small and constricted for an RV to maneuver around.

The Internet can be a valuable tool to use in finding out specifics surrounding a particular business. Go to a search engine page and enter the name and location to find out if the establishment has a web site. Use keywords to minimize the number of responses, such as ‘Restaurant Name, City Name and State.’ If the search fails to produce results, or you are unsure of the business name, broaden the search by entering, ‘Type of Restaurant, City Name and State,’ or ‘Restaurants, City Name and State.’ Usually you can find at least a telephone number to call ahead and inquire of the parking accommodations.

Road signs can be a good source for locating campgrounds, but tell little about what type of services to expect, or even if there is currently a vacancy. Campground directories are handy to have on board while you are out on the road. Available at many RV supply outlets and larger bookstores, these guides can cover the entire country or specific regions.Some directories provide listings as detailed as the type of vehicles the campground can accommodate, existence of pull through sites, available services, directions from the main highway and a telephone number to call ahead and make a reservation.

Christopher Columbus once wrote, “Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World.” Good luck in the journey to discover your new world, and remember to take along a mapping system.