Athens (Georgia)

isin: Georgia (United States) Athens is a vibrant college town in the northeast section of the state Georgia. Athens is known for its prolific music scene, for its nightlife and bar scene, and for being the home of the University of Georgia. Athens is also known as a highly transient town, and, as such, hitchhikers and trainhoppers alike frequently visit.

Hitchhiking out
 In terms of the best roads to hitchhike in and around Athens, a few stand above the rest.

West toward Atlanta, Lawrenceville
U.S. Highway 78 spans from Atlanta to Augusta, passing directly through Athens, where it becomes Broad Street for a small stretch. Hitching between Athens and Atlanta is easily accomplished on US-78, although it is much more difficult around Augusta due to heavy police presence. Highway 316 provides easy access to Lawrenceville, where it then turns into Interstate 85. Hitchhikers who prefer standing on entrance ramps may find Highway 316 faster than US 78 when traveling to Atlanta.

East towards Augusta, South Carolina
U.S. 78 leaves Athens to the east. A good spot for hitchhiking in this direction is on the eastern edge of town by WalMart. From there hitch a ride towards Washington, GA. From Washington hitch a ride to I-20 in Thomson. At the Thomson exit is a truck stop and fast food. You can ride on I-20 towards Augusta, GA and Columbia, SC.

North towards Commerce, Greenville
U.S. Highway 441 heads north out of Athens towards Commerce, GA, where it intersects with Interstate 85. You can usually catch a north bound ride towards Greenville/Charlotte pretty easily at this entrance ramp.

South towards Milledgeville, Florida
U.S. Highway 441 leaves Athens to the south, taking travelers to Milledgeville and, eventually, to Gainesville (Florida).

There are also a number of quieter rural roads leading into and out of Athens which some hitchhikers may prefer.

Useful Resources
Like many college towns, Athens contains a number of free resources to aid travelers. The University Library and Student Learning Center (SLC) both offer free computer use and internet access to the public. If you're looking for a free place to sleep during finals or on a week night, you can snooze in one of the comfy chairs in the SLC. Its especially easy if you look like a student. Students have been known to take advantage of it after drinking downtown and not being able to drive back home. Outdoors on campus is also a nice place to stay if its not raining and you can find a hiding spot from the campus police.

For those who enjoy dumpster diving, Earthfare (large, regional organic grocer), Papa John's (pizza), and Dunkin' Donuts throw away an enormous amount of edible food. These stores can be found at 1689 South Lumpkin Street, 489 Baxter Street, and 771 Prince Avenue, respectively. Athens Food Not Bombs also currently serves free food three days a week: Monday and Wednesday at 7pm, and Saturday at 2pm. Servings take place in front of The Grill in College Square, downtown.

The squat previously mentioned as being 136 Elizabeth St. doesn't actually exist anymore, it's just new houses.