Customer Reviews

The Roads of Texas

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a long-time storm chaser and native Texan, I have travelled thousands of different miles across Texas roads; and I can attest to this atlas' accuracy and usefulness. Even if using GPS software, please buy this book if you intend to go off the interstates or U.S. highways. The Roads of Texas has all the county and farm roads -- I mean every single one -- and in much greater precision and detail than what is shown on any GPS software display. I have used these maps to find welcome back-roads solitude in the increasingly crowded hobby of storm chasing. Having worn out two copies already (in 11+ years of publication), I will soon be purchasing a third! The atlas format does have its encumberances -- mainly, tiny typefaces on some labelling and the awkwardness of crossing northern or southern page boundaries into a different portion of the atlas. However, these are minor and common problems with *all* road atlases. Some faint topographic contours would be a nice addition, if they can be laid into the background in a way that would not distract from the roads and their labels. However, this is much easier to use overall than DeLorme's atlas, and far perferable to fold-out maps!

I found Roads of Texas to be indispensible when planning trips off the main highways. An earlier review criticized this book for not naming all the roads. I did too. But that was the 1995 edition. The 1999 edition does name all the roads. I like to follow any road that looks interesting. Inevitably, it seems, county roads end at a T-intersection with no directional sign so you don't know which way to turn. This was terribly frustrating with the 1995 edition. But with the 1999 edition I know just where I am. No more getting lost.

I just received the new Mapsco edition. I had preordered the atlas and waited with much anticipation. What a disappointment!

While latitude and longitude grids have been added, there appears be less detail. And there are a few gaps in the coverage (one near the towns of Rockport and Fulton is the worst), which didn't exist before. And the detail of rivers and streams has been washed out with the maize background.

There were numerous production problems with the new edition, including many missing highway numbers. The Shearer edition
marked all those loops and spurs, which this edition does not.
Another problem is the depiction of the arterial roads with the
heavy black lines starting and stopping as if they were dead ends. Look at the Dallas/Fort Worth pages and you will see what I mean. It looks like this new edition was rushed into production too soon and corners were cut to save money. That accounts for the seemingly bargain 17.95 price.

Hope they get it right next time; and I'm keeping my old edition!

I like to go to a small town and find the cemeteries, the courthouses, the landmarks that make driving off the beaten path fun. This is the best map to use to save time getting to where you want to go.

This is a replacement purchase. Since my first purchase in 1993, I have used this publication extensively. It is accurate and complete. Nothing else needs to be said. Pay attention to the place names on each page. Quite a few aren't listed in the index because they are the historical names and are no longer populated. These are Texas 'ghost towns' and most have no buildings but most do have cemeteries/graves.

If you want to "SEE" Texas, you must have this.

No, The Roads of Texas is not perfect. Some minor roads are not named, but that is because not all counties have completed naming or numbering their roads. Each new edition shows improvement in this aspect. There are also at least two situations where one map page does not completely join with the page to the immediate south so there is coverage gap of one to two miles. It does not show roads that are closed to the motoring public such as private, oil field or most US Forest Service roads. However, it shows ALL the state highways (the official state travel map does not) and all county maintained roads. Furthermore, the detail is much superior to the DeLorme product. If you buy other maps (Roads of Arkansas, Oklahoma, etc.) from this company, you may be disappointed that the detail is not quite as high as the Roads of Texas. There is an extensive index of towns and communities so you can avoid confusing Buda, Buna, and Bedias. Plus there is some history and lore included, so this is not just a book of maps. I have worn out one copy, had two others "appropriated" by friends and I am about to wear out my latest copy.

Now that I have my new "Roads of Texas" map, one of my favorite activities -- getting lost while doing research for Tourin Texas Newsletter -- has nearly come to a screeching halt. With Ms. Intrepid at the wheel and me riding shotgun with that oversized publication in my lap like a dinner napkin I'm obliged to know where we are. And where we're going to turn next. And what's up ahead after that. And how many miles is that. And... well you get the idea.

You can still get lost using this publication but it's better than any state highway map even if you aren't prowling backroads.

As an experienced backwoods traveler, I have logged more than 15,000 miles in back roads travels in Texas in the last 4 years. My wife and I do it for our hobby. Althought the Roads of Texas is not 100% accurate, it is the best I have found, and I can promise you, I go places, no one else wants to; to the very isolated old ghost towns, cemeteries, etc. Roads of Texas is usually very very accurate in pinpointing a location. If you want to travel the isolated Farm to Market roads of Texas, this is the book to have.

Having recently involved myself in the sport of motorcycle touring, I have found this book to be indispensable. Very accurate mappings show the Farm to Market (FM) roads, and allows for a behind the scenes look at Texas without ever needing to touch the interstates. Highly recommended if the most important part of the trip is how you get there. I keep my copy with me at all times. Will soon need another copy when I wear this one out.

A great tool to supplement the Texas Highway Dept. state map. If you enjoy driving back roads in Texas, you will regard this book as highly as I do. It is very accurate, and depicts all the smaller roads, including county roads you would never expect to see on a map. I wore out the first printing of the atlas and just upgraded to the most recent version.

The landmarks are excellent, as well, to help you find your way. Since I drive an MGA I always enjoy a country lane over an interstate highway. My copy of the Roads of Texas is always in my map pack.

Don't leave home without it!

Carol