Hitchhiking?

Question

Is hetchhiking illegal in the US? Or is it just kinda frowned upon?

Answer 1

depends upon the state, I believe

While I suppose it may not be considered the most intelligent thing to do, I have spent much time hitchhiking. Nothing bad ever happened to me. I did turn down a few rides when I got a strange vibe though. It's a really important time to listen to your intuition!!
I also pick up hitchers from time to time. Yes, there are nuts out there, but I don't think it's crazy to give someone in need a lift!

Good luck. Have fun.

Answer 2

It has been many years since I hitchhiked, but in my day, I did a LOT of it, and at one time or another, I stuck my thumb out in all regions of the USA except the pacific northwest. I was never given more than a warning, and those were exceedingly rare. Technically, it IS illegal, but the laws are seldom, if ever enforced.

Just follow these basic rules. Do NOT walk out onto interstate highways! ALWAYS hitch at the on ramp. Do not impede traffic, and always use a location where your ride can stop safely. AVOID MAJOR CITIES!! In particular, AVOID INNER CITY GHETTOS!!!! Make a good presentation of yourself, well groomed, with a neat sign stating your destination. If possible, use a good backpack with sleeping bag and accessories visible, so the drivers sizing you up can see that you're the real deal and not some fly by night dirtbag.

And keep in mind that this isn't Europe, and it's not the seventies anymore. It might be a wonderful adventure, or it might be an ordeal. But rest assured that it will be a LOT more interesting than taking the bus!!

Good Luck!!

Answer 3

The short answer is: no.

Hitchhiking is not as popular in North America as it was 30 years ago, but it is still legal if one follows the laws of each state. Also, hitchhiking is still a viable mode of transportation in many other areas around the world, including Europe, parts of Asia, Australia, etc.

The most common law related to hitchhiking in the United States has been established in the Uniform Vehicle Code (UVC). It states:

No person shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride.

What many people fail to realize is that a roadway is defined (in the same UVC) as:

That portion of a highway improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the sidewalk, berm or shoulder even though such sidewalk, berm or shoulder is used by persons riding bicycles or other human powered vehicles.

As you can see, the law only states that hitchhikers cannot stand in a driving lane (good idea, huh?), but they can stand on the shoulder or sidewalk of a road. A further code mentions that US States have the right to restrict pedestrians (i.e. hitchhikers) from entering certain highways (interstate routes, for example), but must post a sign if this is the case.

What it all boils down to is this. Hitchhiking is not only possible in the US, but also legal. Many US States have adapted the above code to their own liking, though keeping a similar wording. You can research more about current hitchhiking-related laws in the digihitch USA section.

Answer 4

UVC § 11- 507(a) Pedestrians soliciting rides or business [Soliciting ride]
No person shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride.
Many people see this law in a state's statutes and assume it means hitchhiking is illegal (especially if the state has modified the wording to say 'no person shall hitchhike in a roadway'). This is not the case. A roadway is the driving lanes of a highway and in most cases does not include the shoulder of the road. See the exact definition of roadway below.

Answer 5

I think hitchhiking on the highway is illegal. I heard on NPR about a guy who says there's a hitchhiking revival. It's a lot safer now than it was 20 years ago because all the predators are online now.

Answer 6

It is illegal in NY, but I just picked one up the other day.It is illegal for the simle fact that there are a lot of murderers out there and you never know what can happen.I did it because it was a man who got kicked out of his house because his wife cheated on him and the court system always favors for females.(Seen him at a gas station with a truck station accross the street.)Whether they are right or wrong.I brought him to a homeless center about 20 miles away and had about an hour conversation with him.That is after I dropped him off though.I felt real bad for the guy.

Answer 7

Some states have made it illegal and/or proposed a ban. It is usually frowned upon..

Answer 8

Some states have a law against hitchhiking, but not every state. It is mostly a safety issue.
Here is a website that discribe it state by state.
Hope this helps.

Answer 9

It's illegal in some states, but not others.
They tried to make it illegal here in Vermont, but realized how many boy scouts they would have to arrest, so they made picking up a hitch hiker illegal, but no one ever has been stopped for it.

Answer 10

It is not illegal. The problem is time have change, and it is too dangerous to hitchhike nowadays.