In regards to me trip accross the USA on $5us, I have hair on me ar se and I reckon I am gonna go for it. I belive a bit of good humor and respect will get me across aswell as doing anything but sell my ar se ($40million will do it thou).
2006-12-15 16:09:20 · 10 answers · asked by scratch_n_sniff 3 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Other - United States
During my wild man youth [ about 35 years ago] I managed to hitch-hike to and through 41 US states.
I have done 6 coast to coast round trips and a personal best of Boston to San Francisco in 3 rides and an amazing 69 hours.
So I think that I am qualified to provide some info.
Hitch-hiking is illegal- I actually spent a couple of weeks in jail in Wyoming for it once. The actual charges were hitchhiking , vagrancy and I think obstructing a puplic roadway. Vagrancy is defined as having no visible means of support . If you have less than $50.00 , you can be considered a vagrant- somebody correct if the actual number is wrong-. The legal thinking is that if you have no money you will find way to get some and that way may involve commiting a crime. Therefore you represent a threat to the community. Although you may only have $5.00 in actual cash ,you need to a have a credit or debit card with you to avoid the possibiliy of a vagrancy charge.
As others have mentioned you really need to stay off the actual interstate and try to confine yourself to entrance ramps- I used to stand in front of the sign that says no hitch hiking
There will however be times where there is no traffic on the ramp and lots of traffic on the highway and like it or not you're going to have to get down on the highway.
Place yourself as far down the ramp as possible where you can be visible to both highway and entering traffic .
Give people an opportunity to Safely give you a ride, that means that you have to be visible from the maximum distance possible.
The worst scenario you will be in as far as actually getting on the hwy, is at the jct of 2 interstates when your ride is exiting to an interstate going N/S and you're going east or west , Walk to the nearest entrance ramp an safely position yourself as described as above.
The secret to long distance high speed thumbing is believe it or not, actually refusing rides. Short rides will leave you in the middle of nowhere and basically harm you rather than help you. With your measley bankroll velocity is the key.
So when you leave San Francisco on I-80 - and this is the route of choice x/c in winter. Your sign says NYC , accept nothing less than Sacremento or Reno. When you leave Reno nothing short of Salt Lake City
You want to establish a 500 mile minimum on the rides.
Avoid going into any city , they waste time and take you out of the long distance flow pattern
Know where you will be at sun- up , at least 1.5 hours before sundown .Calculate the times and distances needed to accomplish that task.
Sleep during the day because inevetably the reason some one will pick you up at night is so that you can help them drive .In return , the guy will buy almost always buy you breakfast
Never ever get into the backseat of a 2 door vehiicle
Never hitchhike on Friday or Saturday night
If you get a bad vibe about a ride don't take it
Don't wear sunglasses
Look wholesome but not gay
Don't look homeless
Smell nice
And be honest about what you're doing. You talk funny that will get people interested. Carry a small notebook write down the names of those who helped you.If someone gives you money get their names and re-pay them.
While I have not actually repaid a lot of the people that gave me rides and breakfast, I have kept the spirit going by buying meals and a room for the night for the people I give rides to The Jews call it a mizvah. You are about to have a similiar obligation placed on you .
With the exception of a couple of crazies you will find Americans to be a kind and generous people who are more than willimg to help a stranger in need.
My experience has been that east to west trips are done in less time than west to east trips.this applies to both driving and hitch-hiking.
While it can be a real hassle getting west of the mississsippi river due to all the cities in the east, once you get past it it is entirely possible to make the coast in two or threee rides.So you may want to start your trip in NYC
But man getting out of NYC is a hassle.
good luck
2006-12-15 17:44:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
In some communities it is legal and in others, it is not. Even where it may be legal, there are some specific locations where it is not. On freeways, for example, no pedestrians are allowed, so a hitchhiker thumbing a ride from the shoulder could get a ticket. Same is true for any driver stopping to pick him up, since stopping on a freeway is not allowed, except in an emergency. Also, I know that in California, it is illegal to stop on a freeway onramp, so a car stopping ON that ramp, to pick up hitchhikers can be pulled over for a ticket.
2016-05-22 22:42:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nawh. It might be restricted on like certain areas that might stop or slow down the flow of traffic. But no, there is no law against it. And I plan to hitch hike cross country from NC to CA, after I graduate highschool lol. 1 and a half more years haha
2014-02-18 16:33:13 · answer #3 · answered by Jacob 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a number of jurisdictions where hitchhiking is illegal. It is always illegal to hitchhike up on the interstate or a controlled access highway, and the limit where the surface street ends and the interstate highway begins is up to local interpretation.
If the police don't have other things to do right then, I can guarantee you a visit from them if you're passing through.
2006-12-15 16:14:11 · answer #4 · answered by Stuart 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It may not be illegal to hitchhike, but it is illegal for a motorist to pick up a hitch-hiker in the proximity of a prison. You should plan your route accordingly.
2006-12-15 16:11:58 · answer #5 · answered by michalakd 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It IS illegal to hitch on the interstate highways if you're ACTUALLY standing on them with your thumb out... BUT, it's OK if you're standing on the ramp that goes onto that interstate highway... Spent a weekend in jail in Richmond, VA finding that out...!
2006-12-15 16:13:35 · answer #6 · answered by KnowhereMan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it's not illegal that I know of, but it's not too safe these days. Just use that sexy accent(like the guy above said, you talk funny, use it) and hook up with one of the locals or one of your Vegas ho's... LOL! j/k ...Yep, most of the people are friendly, esp in the rural areas and small towns.
2006-12-16 18:25:14 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not illegal to hitch-hike in the USA.
2006-12-15 16:12:16 · answer #8 · answered by newyorkgal71 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey Wombat,
I'll shelter and feed you if you ever wind up in San Francisco!!
My email is publish_me@yahoo.com
2006-12-15 16:16:52 · answer #9 · answered by Siddy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are many roads, highways and freeways where it is illegal. Plus it's incredibly dangerous.
2006-12-15 16:12:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋