SKOKIE, IL – In a move to provide professional truck drivers with tools to maximize productivity and profits, Rand McNally, creator of the Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas, has introduced new commercial truck routing and business management software for the PC. Rand McNally’s RouteTools software is a routing, mileage, and business management solution that allows professional drivers to plan routes on truck-drivable roads, navigate using detailed route itineraries, integrate fueling stops, and calculate precise mileage for accurate billing and fuel tax reporting.

In addition to calculating fast, fuel-efficient, multi-stop routes, RouteTools generates trips based on user-defined truck configuration to help avoid hefty fines. Rand McNally’s GIS experts and cartographers draw on the company’s own proprietary data, which is then enhanced from a variety of sources to equip drivers with very specific, truck-drivable routing. The result is reliable point-to-point mapping and routing for the United States, Mexico, and Canada. With RouteTools software, drivers can plan their route ahead of time on truck-legal roads.

The software also features detailed descriptions of almost 6,000 truck stop locations. For example, drivers can ensure that an Internet connection, a truck wash, an ATM and a full-service restaurant are available in advance of an overnight stay. For drivers who use Rand McNally’s Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas, the software provides full-color maps and directions that reference the appropriate pages in the 2009 edition of the book.

As business management software, RouteTools equips drivers with features that help them bill accurately, record expenses, and calculate mileage quickly for accurate fuel tax reporting in each state or province. RouteTools also helps manage fuel expenses by directing drivers to their preferred fuel retailer through a listing of nearly 6,000 fuel stops. For an additional monthly fee, professional drivers are given access to a fuel-optimized routing service via the Web that helps them navigate based on lowest fuel prices available that day.

For drivers not familiar with routing software, the RouteTools product also provides user-friendly menus and pop-up screen tips of each feature.

RouteTools software is available as a one-time online download for PCs, or on CD-ROM, beginning in December 2008. Suggested retail price is $79.95. Visit www.go.randmcnally.com/routetools for more information and to purchase the software.