14 ways to safely hitchhike in the United States

14 ways to safely hitchhike in the United States -

My first experience with Belize was hitchhiking. Back in 05, I hitchhiked all the land, as it had come to the most common way locals. If they did it, why not me? It was a lot of fun and much easier and safer than I thought it would be. Since then I have hitchhiked to a handful of countries and met some interesting (and not so interesting) people. Hitchhiking is still a popular and common way to many people around the world, but it raises many fears and concerns, especially among Westerners. Today Matt Karsten von expertvagabond.com shares his experience hitchhiking in the United States and advice on how to also do it safely. Enter Matt.

It was a cool and overcast day at the coast of Oregon, when I stuck my thumb nervously on the side of Route 101. For the next 20 minutes driver ignored me and again - most with looks of disgust on their faces. But I kept on smiling. Would anyone stop me? Was I wasting my time? I was not quite sure.

Finally my persistence paid off, and a massive orange pickup screeched to a stop in a cloud of dust. A wave of excitement rushed through me as I jogged CJ and her dog meet shutter. My first ride!

But that was only the first of many pleasant surprises on my trip.

CJ was not far to go, just to the next town. When I asked her why she stopped, she said that I looked quite normal and that they also had some solo hitchhiking done in Montana, when she was younger. This would become a common theme in the next 5 weeks. Drivers will often stop kindness they received in the past, to pay back.

Before going to hitchhike on a mission in the United States from coast to coast on the left, was told that no one receives more pickup. They said that it was dangerous in these days, and that the Golden Age of Hitchhiking was sadly over.

But after five weeks 3500 miles, 36 trips (for men and women), a motorcycle, a boat, an airplane, a freight train and a tractor trailer, I can say that these people were wrong. If you've always dreamed of hitchhiking, but are not sure how to do it, where to begin, and how to stay safe, here are 14 tips, intelligent hitchhiking:

assured

Always look drivers in the eye and smile as they happen. Not in a crazy Axe Murderer fashion, but in a friendly and sympathetic manner. Smiling is very important. Pretend the next car is a friend who is planning to pick up. Try waving hello or hold your gaze expectantly, as they drive past. You really have only one or two seconds to make a positive impression. Think of it as drive-by-job interview, to lead only through the eyes, look and body language of the other person decision. Smiling three hours land in the sun or the rain, despite a constant stream of rejection is not easy, but you will do better. If you look nervous or anxious, you will attract the wrong kind of people, so be sure.

Look gift

Nobody wants a pick rotten, stinking -looking hobo. Dress in light or bright clothing. Avoid wearing black, if you can. Do not wear sunglasses (people need to see the eye), and keep your hands out of your pockets. Do not smoke, drink or sit on the side of the road.

many drivers bring Additionally people who look similar. I had a difficult time, a ride on the border of Colorado and Kansas still until I myself bought a cheap cowboy hat! Soon after this strategic acquisition, a trucker pulled over a couple from rural Tennessee and continued to drive me 10 miles in the course of two days music playing during all the country.

Choose a good place

Cars will not stop for you if they can safely do it. Interstate ramps are great because cars do not move very fast and there is usually room to pull over. Other good locations are intersections with traffic lights or a stop sign, and gas stations. The longer a driver to get a good look at you, the better. Keep an eye out for shady areas with protection from the sun, too. If you have Internet access on your phone, Google maps in satellite view shows you where the best are on ramps.

hitchhiking from the big cities can be very difficult, and sometimes by public transport to get outskirts is the best option. There are some places where it is almost impossible to get a ride, such as spots near sensitive governmental institutions (employees are forbidden people to pick up), prisons or neighborhoods with high crime rates.

conversation make

There are many reasons why people pick up hitchhikers. Maybe they are bored and want to hear travel stories fun. Maybe they once were hitchhikers and want their experience (and karma) to share with you. Perhaps they will try to convert you to Christianity / Islam / Scientology. Maybe they need help on a long drive to stay awake.

Providing good conversation is how you pay these people again for their generosity. It can also lead to a free lunch, drinks, or perhaps even an offer to lead to host for the night. Ed Yachtbau was the last ride on my cross-country trip, and he spent his entire afternoon give me a personal tour of the coast of Maryland, for dinner and drinks at his favorite seafood restaurant before I.

Be prepared

always pack enough food and water take a day, if you nothing stuck in the middle of the. I like to bring a few bananas, apples, tortillas, tuna, baked beans, and perhaps also to share a package of cookies. A filtered water bottle help ensure rivers and ponds to drink. Take a few dark colored permanent markers to create characters, sunscreen, a first aid kit, warm clothes and a rain jacket.

A USB car charger and external battery for your mobile phone is a good idea also. They are ideal for listening to music, checking Google Maps or in an emergency call for help. A lightweight camping hammock or bivy sack will save money for accommodation. I often on the side of the road or behind churches camped in the woods on my trip.

a cardboard Use

indicates A simple cardboard sign a city near helps a lot. Keep it short and write in big capital letters with a Sharpie marker. It must be readable at a distance of a fast-moving vehicle. Use objectives, relatively close (within 20 to 50 miles), and you are more likely to score runs. You can then negotiate the longer inside the vehicle when the driver goes on in your desired direction.

Funny characters work too well. Some successful that I used were: "Free Cookies", "Are you not kill" and "free of rabies since June" The last character was funny enough that Dan, a retired theater actor and pharmaceutical executive, had already driven. at the next exit, when he changed his mind and turned to come to me, get!

, see the back box for signs at every gas station or fast food restaurant, either to ask from the inside or by the garbage opening.

Select your ride carefully

You are not required to get into any car that stops for you. If the driver is in a good mood? Find it yourself in the eyes? Are you sober? How many people are in the car? If you do not feel comfortable to accept a ride, I say thank you to the driver and no. Make an excuse, if you have to. Pretend to be ill, or to declare that you'd rather wait for a longer ride. Trust your gut feeling. On my own journey, I turned just a ride down. I was in a sketchy neighborhood (prostitutes around in the middle of the day were on foot), and watering the vehicle that was stopped packed a truck with four young boys with the smell of weed from the windows. They were directed only to the next exit. Chances are that I would have been fine, but the situation did not feel right and I decided to wait for a better opportunity.

to be with common sense

Always use a seatbelt, and when the person begins to move irregularly, calm and be polite, but ask at the nearest safe point sweater discharged. Avoid hitchhiking (or hitchhikers pickup) at night. Not only is it very difficult to safely stop on the side of the road after dark, but it is also much harder pedestrians at night to see. Not to mention, the people are much more likely crimes to commit under the cover of darkness.

Stay Positive

Hitchhiking is a mental challenge definitely. You put yourself there in the public, while in an activity that is not considered mainstream. You will be judged by all, who you often plays in a negative way. People will laugh, flip you off, yell, honk, rev their engines, or maybe even throw things.

to keep control

Predators on weakness and uncertainty prey. Do not be an easy target itself. Dress conservatively and control sexual topics to something unsexy. Make it crystal clear you are only interested in anything to your destination in always, and otherwise. Maintain an aura of confidence.

Keep your valuables on or near your body so if you escape quickly should, you do not lose them. Avoid your bag in the trunk, if possible, set them so that the driver does not start before you can grab it. Make a quick photo of the back of the car with the phone before boarding, then send it to a friend or your Twitter account. Once in the car, find a moment to call a friend and tell them where you are and where you are traveling, so the driver can hear you do it.

Avoid arguments

Try your driver (or hitchhikers) about politics, religion, race or other controversial issues to avoid talking, at least until you give each other a little get to know and can judge how they might react. You do not want to provoke them to become angry or emotional, while behind the wheel. If they try to start a conversation about these issues, try to change the subject or boring / vague answers to their questions until they lose interest or you feel comfortable talking about it. This is how I reacted to Captain Kitty Litter the overly racist comments and questions. Although I do not agree with his views, I just nodded along somehow and let him talk.

hitchhike with a friend

If it is your first time hitchhiking and you are particularly nervous, try with someone hitchhiking others that it has done previously. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn the ropes and more comfortable. While it might be difficult to get someone to stop for two hitchhikers, there will always be a bit more secure. I'm not saying to not go alone, but if you are concerned about the security, with a friend hitchhiking could be a good way to start.

You Expect wait

My average waiting time, while in the United States by hitchhiking was about an hour. But there were some days when it took 2-3 hours or more. You must stay for at least a few hours to wait in one place, be prepared. However, there were many times when I picked up after 15 minutes. You never know how long it will take before.

If you are in a particularly bad place, it could take days to pick up, what happened to me once outside Denver. I have to wait to get two nights in a motel there. Are you getting sick of waiting? Maybe take a break and interrupt the time to do something else to go. With camping gear with you to help in these situations. Go a few miles to the next exit or a taxi to a better place to control are also options.

Protect yourself

you will never need almost certainly to use it, but to help a weapon of some type packaging with self-defense, is always a good idea. I like to bring pepper spray with me. As Captain Kitty Litter me started about the time he told another hitchhiker thrown out of his moving car, I put in a subtle way a hand in his pocket, where pepper spray was hidden (just in case). Fortunately, I have never needed to use it!

My friend experienced hitchhiker Shannon wears a stun gun openly at her belt (which may be illegal in some countries). But a simple pin should shoved into the ear or eyes of an attacker to work well in a pinch. In my opinion, a knife should not be your first choice for self-defense, if you have trained to use it, since it can easily be turned against you if the situation takes a turn for the worse. Please note that a weapon is an absolute last resort.? - Are only used when the communication is not working and honest for your life afraid of

hitchhiking Safe

Hitchhiking has disregarded increasingly rare over the years. brought aggressively promoted by the news irrational fears about hitchhiking through paranoid horror stories and then turned into Hollywood films. Bad news is what sells, so that what we are exposed to. I'm still waiting on CNN a story about my successful hitchhiking adventure to do, but I'm not holding my breath. I had a wonderful time met great people, and nothing bad happens. It is not sensational enough regarded messages.

Based on my own experience and according to other people hitchhiking to hear stories, it is likely that some weirdos you pick. But rarely it will result in a dangerous situation. Of the 36 different rides during my own adventures, I had maybe two or three "odd" (socially awkward) driver.

I was countless times, said that hitchhiking is dangerous. While it is wise to be prepared for worst-case scenarios, in reality, you do not have to worry too much about these horror stories. Most of the people I met while hitchhiking were friendly, fascinating and full of entertaining stories. But that does not mean you should let your guard down.

While hitchhiking is not nearly as dangerous as some people make it to be, there is a risk involved. If you choose to exercise in this activity, you accept these risks. Crimes are committed against hitchhikers from time to time, as well as against the driver (albeit much less frequently).

If you ever feel threatened or uncomfortable if you are already in the car, first ask the driver to stop and let off at the next exit or gas station. Make an excuse if you want. If still the driver to stop, fails, remind them that you sent a photo of the car and plate number to friends. In an absolute emergency, you can always grab the steering wheel or the handbrake and causing a minor accident. Remember these techniques to be used only as a last resort, if you. Really fear for your life Even minor accidents can, what you or anyone kill. It is not easy to take something.

A final Disclaimer

in the United States Hitchhiking is legal. The confusion lies with the United States Uniform Vehicle Code. "No person shall in a roadway for the purpose of advertising are a ride."

sounds illegal, is not it: The law states? Yes - to the definition of: designed reading for vehicular travel, exclusive of the sidewalk, berm or shoulder, although such Sidewalk

"improved the part of a highway or commonly used berm" roadway " or shoulder of people on bicycles and other human-powered vehicles. "

What does this mean used? It is illegal, right on the street to stand (for obvious security reasons), but are on the side of the road, the shoulder or a sidewalk is fine.

Each state has its own laws, but, and ban a few specially hitchhiking. These include New York, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming.

However caught hitchhiking in these countries does not necessarily mean you'll go to jail. Police officers can stop and question you, you will give a warning or fine. In fact, these hitchhikers Experience authorities even in countries where it is technically legal, due to ignorance of the law or boredom.

Hitchhiking will be a challenge in any case. But it will also open your mind, build your confidence, teach you patience, and provide you with new friends. There is something magical about the open road and the uncertainty that loomed with no plans comes from the thumb.

One could make a friendly teacher who never someone or a ex-con with funny stories took to share. Or maybe you will meet the inventor of Ultimate Pancake Sandwich. I was taken with tape in the Fantasy Land Rover, an airplane, a boat, a motorcycle and a car together. You do not know who will stop when someone stops, or how your day will unfold when someone finally does. That's what makes it so special, hitchhiking. It is the unknown

There is an absolute roller coaster ride of emotions. 1 minute thrilling, then complete the next daunting. But could end up hitchhiking be only one of your most memorable or rewarding travel experiences, as it was for me. I'll never forget the feeling of accomplishment that I experienced when to jump at the end of my long journey in the Atlantic Ocean.

Useful Resources

For more information on the legality of hitchhiking, travel stories, meet-ups organized and route maps from around the world visits HitchWiki.org.

to find accommodation while hitchhiking, you can use Couchsurfing.org locals meet to willing to share their homes with strangers in exchange for interesting conversations. You will create some after a few days, hitchhiking.

Although it is not quite the same as hitchhiking, organized Ride or carpooling with strangers certainly might be able to be a good first step, if you are nervous. This great article lists the many ride-sharing sites for various locations around the world.

Matthew Karsten around the world since 2010 addicted to adventure travel and photography stray, he is on a mission to inspire your next trip with stories and pictures from his trips entertaining. Read about his five-week hitchhiking journey across America on ExpertVagabond.com. More

Share this post