My 1st Rand McNalley Atlas is many years old, so I thought I deserved a new one. I love maps and used my 1st one many times. The 2009 Atlas is just what I wanted, is greatly expanded, and good for planning road trips in other states. In my head, I've taken different routes to familiar places and to ones I've never been. It's a good reference and I think it's great.

We have always kept a copy of the Rand McNally Road Atlas in our vehicles; we find them to be invaluable when traveling on the road for basic directional help but also for find alternate scenic routes, etc.

Prior to 2008, we did not purchase the vinyl covered edition and the atlas would get torn and pretty beat up as it partially sticks out of the pockets behind the front seats. When we came across this version, we decided to give it a try and see if it helped the situation. We have the 2008 and 2009 versions and both have held up very well and neither are torn, frayed, or otherwise messed up any longer by general use with one exception.

I did learn a little lesson about the stapled binding and the vinyl cover as noted by reviewers of the 2008 version. This is caused by the thin paper and stapled binding along with the cover being tucked into the vinyl pockets on both sides. The cover can be separated partially or completey due to this and one day, a haphazard toss of the atlas caused it become partially separated from the cover. However, I found that by placing a rubberband around the center of the binding holds it all together perfectly. When we purchased the latest edition (2009), we put a rubberband around it to help reinforce the stapled binding from the start.

One other note about the atlas, we really enjoy reading the general information about each state and the recommended tourist sites. This is a great stocking stuffer and valuable to have in your own vehicle, even if you travel infrequently.

When I was a kid, I loved every time that my family bought a new Rand McNally Road Atlas. As soon as I could, I would sit down with the atlas and trace rides across country, from state to state. Or I would look for strangely named communities or. . . . I would spend an hour or so at a time just going through those glorious maps.

More recently, this is my annual Christmas gift to my son (wonder if love of atlases has a genetic basis?). But I still will grab his copy when he's not around and go through it, just as so long ago.

This Atlas has taken on a more contemporary flavor. Now, there is a web site that you can go to on road construction. Plus other web sites listed to provide the road warrior with more information.

It's fun to revisit my home territory via the Atlas. I was born in Kewanee, Illinois, so I can go to the Illinois map and trace (once more) how I would get to my mother's hometown (Bradford, IL), and the different routes I could take back and forth, including lesser used routes.

Or just open randomly to a map. I just did that and got Texas. Given the recent hurricane (Ike), it is illuminating to take a look at the Galveston-Houston area, as well as checking out the path that the hurricane took. An atlas gives you a grounded sense of the world around you.

So, anyhow, here's to the 2009 Atlas!

This Atlas is fine for my purposes. I've used Rand McNally for a long time and this one didn't disappoint.

Rand McNally 2009 Road Atlas: United States / Canada / Mexico (Rand Mcnally Road Atlas: United States, Canada, Mexico)

As always, Rand McNally has an easy-to use atlas! I've been using their atlases for years, and this one doesn't disappoint!

Rand McNally 2009 Road Atlas: United States / Canada / Mexico (Rand Mcnally Road Atlas: United States, Canada, Mexico)

As always, Rand McNally has an easy-to use atlas! I've been using their atlases for years, and this one doesn't disappoint!

A consistant excellent product that stays up to date. The plastic cover is really a "must have" because it keeps the atlas in good condition.

A consistant excellent product that stays up to date. The plastic cover is really a "must have" because it keeps the atlas in good condition.

I gave this atlas to my brother for his birthday and he was thrilled. He loved it. It's a good, complete atlas and relatively easy to get through. It should take the stress out of road travel!http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0528942018/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title

Rand McNally is still the best national road atlas on the market. It does the best job combining detail with readability. The maps of cities and national parks are very good, and the state maps are the best in the business--points of interest, such as colleges and major tourist attractions, are noted. For each state, there is a listing of population and land area (and where the state ranks based on those figures). There is also a mileage table for each state as well as a national mileage table. This is the atlas to take on long trips.

An excellent atlas. It even shows places where extensive road work is happening. We are very happy with it.

I have been collecting/using Rand McNally road atlases since the early '90s. They are consistently great atlases from year to year. Normally, I find the next year's atlas available in September, so I was very surprised to see the 2009 version available in May, 2008. When comparing the 2008 version to the 2009 version, it is clear that the 2009 version was released earlier than usual. There are very few updates that I noticed from one version to the next. Usually I can spot some updates from a mile away, so to speak. This time, I had to get both the 2008 and 2009 versions out and compare them side to side to notice any updates. The updates that were included, that I was finally able to find, were relatively minor, such as some construction areas that are completed, or vice-versa. One semi-major update that I found was a note in the St. Louis city-map stating that I-64 was closed.

All in all, this is a great atlas. However, if you have the 2008 version and are not an avid collector, this is probably a skippable release. I never thought I would say that about a Rand McNally atlas...