“2010 Exit Now Interstate Exit Directory” ($24.95, Trailer Life Books) is so packed with information you almost need a directory for the directory to learn how to use it. A friend and I took it along on a recent road trip through Nebraska on our way to South Dakota, and it took from Denver to nearly Chadron, Neb., for my friend to decipher all of the codes and abbreviations (that would be about mile 300). Not only does the book contain the most up-to-date listings of what you’ll find at exits in terms of services (including whether diesel or ethanol, Wi-Fi, pay phones, RV dump stations and water and playgrounds are available), restaurants, lodging, medical facilities and attractions, but it also offers low-clearance overpasses, driving distances between major cities, which states sell lottery tickets and road and weather condition phone numbers, helmet laws, area codes, major rental car company phone numbers and towing laws by state. It takes a bit of getting used to that the interstates are listed numerically and then north to south or west to east rather than alphabetically by state, and it’s worth noting that some of the eateries are listed but there’s no mention that they might only be located in a gas station or convenience store, so you could be looking for a while if you expect them to be stand-alone (we discovered this by accident, because we had to get gas at such a place). But once you understand it all, the thing is a gold mine of info, although in this day of GPS and better cell service, its days might be numbered. Still, if you have an RV or a truck, or are a serious road tripper, right now it’s probably indispensable. Kyle Wagner
