25 Tricks Old-School Truckers Used Before GPS That Modern Drivers Can't Imagine
62K views · Aug 12, 2026 · People & Blogs
Comments · 129
@claysmith782 · 1 month ago
I remember those days, before GPS, and before people didnt care about other drivers. Now it is like no one cares. I liked it in old times. ❤❤❤❤
20
@TheDamageinc81 · 3 weeks ago
America doesn't appreciate what truckers provide and have to do. They get treated like shit.
1
@mikep5178 · 1 month ago
Listening to this makes me miss over the road driving. Had 2.5 million safe miles in 22 years. Been off the road for 13 years. But when I travel I always drive. Rarely do I need to crack open my atlas. My wife always wonders how I do it.
7
@douglasclark9286 · 3 weeks ago
This brings back memories, I drove when CB radios were falling out of use, map reading was looked at as weakness, and arrogance from the 4wheelers was increasing.
1
@edhultgren517 · 1 month ago
I have had my truck license since 81. I couldn’t train drivers at our company. I encourage them to go as far as they can without GPS because of reasons you cited in this video.<br>I was blessed to grow up around those old timers. Who taught you had a shift over the CB radio and scribble directions out on napkins at the truckstop.<br>In my early days, I haul a lot of cattle and a lot of hay so we didn’t spend a lot of time on pavement when we loaded or unloaded. The directions were a little sketchy from time to time, but that’s how it was.<br>Go 27 1/2 miles north and turn left where the white spot in the brush opens up to a dirt road.<br>That was a good video. Thanks for the effort.
29
@soundmindtv2911 · 4 weeks ago
The odometer trick is a fond memory. 106 miles, exit, 5.7 miles, turn left, 2.3 miles, pull in on the right. This was still the norm in the mapquest days.
3
@RolandMartel-k5e · 10 days ago
Rand McNally…still my go to. Since I began my CDL career in 1997.
@jakegrift1106 · 3 weeks ago
The good ole days......miss them
3
@fatlarry1184 · 3 weeks ago
Spent 30 years OTR ...only electronic was my CB...never missed a delivery! Common sense, a few tricks, sense of direction..(oh yeah, and three log books 🤣🤣)
3
@ManleyOne · 2 weeks ago
Did all my driving days in a big truck with just a map. Worked just fine
@waynepugh4981 · 1 month ago
I used to go to the pay phone with a roll of quarters calling customer for directions
3
@frank.carden · 1 month ago
My Dad was a driver, later trucking executive after WWII. I got to be his navigator with the Thomas Brothers map. I've lived through all those hints. My immigrant wife thinks it's unique, and regular buddies do, too,, that I travel interstate without a map and can make it through big cities easily. Don't do it much anymore these days, now, but I'm trying to pass it on to my kids.
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