REVIVE CB:
As I’ve made it a point to try using last moment detours around road problems on the Interstate, I’d say that weekdays have a very good showing of quality radio rigs by which to get help in making this happen.
East of IH-35 there’s no shortage of enough good radio rigs to make this possible.
1, 2, 3, users in agreement.
GPS & WAZE good at telling you there’s a problem (if it happened 15+ minutes ago), but not at all in determining a bypass. (The bypass may have problems or is load-restricted).
GPS (large moving map display), Road Atlas, and best CB Radio are the thing for rapid decision-making.
Putting this to the test at least once-weekly.
The guy with any old CB in the car doesn’t get to play. One must know many miles in advance. (“Know” problem description and have worked alternates for opinions as detour exit may be quite far in advance of the problem location).
Had one a couple of days ago when IH77 in northern NC had a ginormous construction backup. But as I was extra-heavy — and stretched-out; meaning, tandems far to rear — the first alternate was two lane and winding. Not optimal for staying in the lane. But, the second alternate — while ten (10) miles farther — was separated four lanes the entire way.
Afterwards, miles ahead nearing Wytheville on 77 was getting passed (again) by trucks running 10-mph faster who’d passed me back in either Charlotte or even Rock Hill after their hour-plus wait. Who, without the jam, would have been much more than a half-hour ahead of me.
Burned FAR more fuel and expended FAR more energy in trying to avoid getting hit in that jam-up when looking at time/miles.
As I took a slow scenic drive thru historic countryside on a Spring day.
More miles, but gained better than a half-hour.
A wash in fuel, or less, in total (against my use).
FAR less fuel than the fast trucks. $90 in my pocket for same travel time.
One day cost savings. One day NET.
AND you can bet they had need of restroom and other facilities I didn’t. Where all else was the same, entirely possible I’d finish the day farther up the road.
Trucking $$ is all about getting the NEXT load (against costs).
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