Roads of Oklahoma

[bradjones]

I was wondering if there was a way to find a map of the roads in Oklahoma that showed if its a paved road or dirt road? I think this would be great for chasers especially those who have only chased a few years. Or could it be possible if someone could come up with a way of making a map of good road options in Oklahoma when chasing like popular chase routes in various situitations in light of what happened in El Reno in May. I find that while chasing the last couple years not being familiar with road networks it frankly scares me to death. I think it scares more than the chaser traffic that has become a problem the last decade.

 

[Greg McLaughlin]

Delorme makes a road atlas of Oklahoma roads down to the county grid. There is another mapbook called Roads of Oklahoma. You can also purchase maps of other states. While GPS is always nice to have, in the end, nothing beats a good old road map.

 

[STexan]

There is a Oklahoma Gazetteer by Delorme you can probably find in any major book store in TX, KS, or OK. It's does a pretty good job of differentiating dirt from paved roads but I have found that printed/folded maps at the convenience store work as well or better (some are better then others) because the problem with the "atlas" style books is you essentially have to tear out the pages to make them usable in the real world of chasing.

I will take some printed maps and compare them with others and manually pen in paved roads left out as I'm waiting to essentially 'combine' them into a better hybrid map. It's odd how some paved roads will be left out on some maps yet included on others, and vice versa.

 

[Bob Schafer]

Brad, the nature of your post leads me to two assumptions: 1), that you are sort of a "part-time" chaser, and that 2) you have never heard of the software programs that are widely used by chasers these days. Please do not take offense at the "part-time" assumption. It is not intended to insult, and there is nothing wrong with someone being a part-timer. What makes it important is that perhaps you do not wish to invest the money and to buy the software and spend the many hours of time learning how to use it efficiently. I must also say that I am probably behind-the-curve too, since I have made no attempt to upgade my tools in about 5 years. I am so happy with them I see no need. The electronic tools available today are light-years better than paper maps, and though I continued to carry the paper with me as backup for several years after obtaining the electronic tools, I finally quit bringing the paper maps with me just this year. I simply have no use for them anymore. Since 2008 I have been using GRL3 with GPS for my chasing. There are others. The GRL3 plots my position on the radar (and the Spotter Network plots it as well), and I use mapping from the US Census Bureau. You should head over to the "Equipment" thread to read about all the various stuff chasers use these days. Do understand, though, that all maps are sometimes wrong, and there are some pretty interesting stories behind that fact. Just this year I got munched by a storm in SD when the mapping said the road went through, and I dead-ended at a lake. Paper maps are sometimes wrong, too.

 

[STexan]

I like my paper ... I have computers, map software, internet, cell phones, and garmin Nuvi car gps. But there is no substitute for a handy paper map in the heat of a chase, especially if you're running solo but I rely on my Garmin Nuvi 90% of the time, paper when I'm planning scenarios.

 

[Shane Adams]

Gazateers/Roads Of were our chasing bibles back in the day. I haven't had any since my originals eventually fell apart years ago. I rarely go off road these days so I have always stuck to the basic Atlas. But if you can get your hands on them, for paper maps, those county maps are priceless.

 

[Bob Hartig]

My DeLorme Street Atlas is 2009, which is now pretty dated. I need to upgrade, but I guess I'll wait till next year. I have to say, though, that I've learned I can't depend on it to distinguish between decent roads and ones that grade away into two-tracks. Speaking from experience, I wouldn't trust it with my life when it comes to plotting escape routes down backroads.

But then, Street Atlas and similar map software wasn't designed for storm chasing, and I bear that in mind. The next DeLorme I purchase for chasing may be the topo map, and I'll just continue to use the 2009 for basic travel and chasing on main roads and areas I'm familiar with.

I'm curious about two things, though. First, has anyone had any experience using the DeLorme topographical maps? How good a job do they do at capturing the changes in road surface and quality?

Second, do the upgrades in Street Atlas warrant purchasing a more recent edition? Granted, the biggest argument in favor is the addition of new roads since 2009. Outside of that, though, a lot of changes in the past have seemed to be cosmetic, and I hate getting used to mapping software and then having to relearn a new format unless the advantages make it worth my while.

 

[Lee Smith-Whaley]

I try and keep a copy of a paper atlas or maps for long road trips, especially if in unknown territory. This saved me in Colorado on vacation because my GPS didn't know where I was, and I had no cell signal. I know it won't always work, but it can come in use. I do try and get the laminated maps now a days along with dry erase markers, or grease pencils from work so I can erase everything when I'm done.

 

[Mark Blue]

Second, do the upgrades in Street Atlas warrant purchasing a more recent edition? Granted, the biggest argument in favor is the addition of new roads since 2009. Outside of that, though, a lot of changes in the past have seemed to be cosmetic, and I hate getting used to mapping software and then having to relearn a new format unless the advantages make it worth my while.

I updated the Delorme software every year for four years and stopped at the 2010 version. You are absolutely right that the only thing they change are the program options to make it more user friendly. As far as road updates, I didn't notice many (if any at all) from year to year. IMO it isn't worth upgrading unless you need to for OS compatibility (upgrading from Windows 7 to 8 as an example). I use both paper maps and the software, but primarily rely on the software to navigate. Like Shane, I try to avoid going off road unless I have no other option. I haven't found one map that is right all the time, but you already know that - just saying for the benefit of the OP.

 

[Dave C]

I navigate almost exclusively on paved roads since my current chase car is a fast/comfortable sedan. As such, I use the roads overlay in GRlevel3 with GPS, which shows 90% of the roads I will want to take. When I need more information, I load up Delorme software, or often even google maps if I have good cell data.

I would never stop bringing paper maps though. Its a safety and convenience factor when you don't have data or computer working, and it takes all of a thick envelope worth of space to bring a few state maps or an Atlas.

Last I would add that in certain parts of Kansas / Oklahoma I trust the grid system without maps because I know its there and have chase certain areas before. I still always position at a 4-way intersection when near dangerous weather.

 

[Simon Brewer]

We chase as much as anyone; we go paper maps (Delorme State Topo Atlas) primary and only use GPS as reference when deep in a "back road" network to confirm our position on paper map. Also, can't rely on GPS or paper maps to be consistent in determining dirt, gravel, sand, or pavement when it comes to side roads. Problems with GPS and paper maps: we've had roads end into fields, dead end into a gate, quickly and unexpectedly turn from asphalt to gravel, dirt, sand, or mud. GPS and paper maps won't show current or future construction or traffic accidents causing traffic to stop ahead. We've had devices with GPS have various problems attaining our position, software crashing, devices failing. Seen many other chasers lose GPS capability during heat of chase too, and a few were hit by tornadoes because of GPS problems. Paper maps don't shut off, crash, or have connection problems.

 

[Mark Blue]

GPS and paper maps won't show current or future construction or traffic accidents causing traffic to stop ahead. We've had devices with GPS have various problems attaining our position, software crashing, devices failing.

We also have NAV built into our ride that does show current traffic jams and road construction. It must have some other data feed that GPS pucks and software don't have. Perhaps I overlooked it in the Delorme settings/options. We typically don't use it because the laptop lid blocks the NAV screen view, but it might come in handy in the context of getting out of Dodge quickly.

 

[Warren Faidley]

RE: Communications and maps... Like others have said, always have (up to date) paper maps to back up GPS mapping. In addition, if you can afford it, have some type of satellite GPS system (XM radar) that does not depend on a cell connection. Cell lines are often jammed up or throttled beyond use when there are a lot of chasers and/or locals. My XM radar package (activated during chasing only) has saved me multiple times when cell connections are void. I also suggest checking with state Departments of Transportation on big chase days and make notes of road closures. We did this on May 31 and I'm glad we did. Most states have very good sites for such data.

All this begs for the argument of having live "now" chase threads.... real time, because potentially life saving information e.g., road closures or injuries could be relayed instantly.

Don't forget ham radio. A lot of chasers still use them and it's a great way to communicate.

Warren

 

[Justin Wilcox]

I have been using the Benchmark Road & Recreation Atlas's for years now. I have my phone, Streets & Trips, and a Garmin Nuvi and still use the atlas's more.

 

[Joshua Nall]

It takes a little time but I'll take a big fold up map that I like for each state I want and copy it onto about 10 or 15 pages in such a way that each page overlaps whats on the next one. Then I staple them together. It's easy to just flip to the page that best shows where you are.

I also have my position showing on GRL3 on my laptop and mapping software, Garmin on the dash, and a hand held unit that sits in a mount on my dash also. The handheld unit quickly zooms in and out and is right at my finger tips. It is the most reliable because I've got an external antenna for it and if it does lose signal a window will pop up to let me know. I've come to rely on it the most to show me exactly where I am.