Mountain Directory East and West review
Tells you where the steep grades are before you're already halfway down one.
By the RJ Editorial Team. Sales page checked 2026-09-23. Last updated 2026-09-23.
Is it worth it?
You're planning a route somewhere new and the map app says this way is fastest. What it doesn't say is that there's a six mile stretch at 7 percent with switchbacks and nowhere to pull off if your brakes start smelling hot. If you've ever crested a summit in a loaded rig and only found out on the way down what you'd committed to, that's the gap this fills. Mountain Directory is a reference list of steep grades and passes, sorted by state and highway, telling you where the grade is, how long, how steep, which direction, and what else is going on around it. East and West are separate volumes, so you buy the one that matches where you drive, or both. It's not a planner and it won't route you. You do the work: look up the highways on your route before you leave, see what's coming, then decide whether to go another way or just drop a gear and take it slow. Plenty of people photograph the relevant pages for the trip. The value is knowing in advance instead of finding out mid-descent. Won't do much for you if you stay on flat interstates or drive a car. If you're hauling weight over unfamiliar mountains, it's a cheap bit of peace of mind.
Pros
- Very specific data, not vague warnings
- Works with no signal, which is where the mountains are
- One-off purchase, nothing recurring
- Useful for trucks, RVs and anyone towing
Cons
- No routing or planning, you look things up yourself
- Roads and construction change and a book doesn't update
- Full coverage means buying two volumes
- Page is thin on price, format and refund terms
What you get
Two reference volumes, East and West, listing steep grades and mountain passes state by state and highway by highway. For each one you get the location, direction, length of the grade, how steep it is, and notes on curves, switchbacks, drop-offs, escape ramps and tunnel or length restrictions where they matter. Sold as printed books or as a download, depending which option you choose.
Before you buy
- Check which states each volume covers so you get East, West or both
- Confirm whether you're getting a printed book or a download, and if it's a download, that you can read it offline on your phone or tablet
- Look up the refund window before paying, since the page doesn't spell it out
Who it suits
Truckers, RVers and anyone towing something heavy on unfamiliar mountain routes
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