Changes

The shortest is not always the best in all the cases. If there is no traffic, there are no rides to share. Think where the trucks are going: industrial areas, ports/[[Airport|airports]], along the best highways, etc. In some countries (ex: Romania, Bulgaria) it is difficult to tell the main routes by looking at normal maps so get a current map that specifically highlights trucking routes. Avoid trying to get lifts along routes that don't make sense to drivers because picking a logical A to B route towards a major city that many drivers are likely to be making instead of a direct route through the countryside can save you hours in waiting time vs. multiple smaller rides.

The fastest and easiest routes are usually ones between two major cities, passing a lot of countryside on the waywith nothing interesting inbetween. If you're are planning to go through an area with dense population (eg. [[Ruhr Area]], [[Randstad]], [[London|Southeast England]]) or past a major junction city such as [[Vienna]] and out the other side, then remember be aware that many vehicles will be local traffic, so stop in the middle and could leave you stranded at a spot where catching a new ride is difficult. In that case it's often is a good idea to find a route that avoids these areas or to find wait for a car going troughride that takes you beyond the trouble spot. When For example: when going to the South of [[France]] from northern europe avoid actually going into the [[NetherlandsParis]]metro area (have a good spot before paris in mind before you go; get dropped off there instead if your driver is going into Paris), for example, it might be best and wait until you find a ride that will take you to avoid [[Paris]] and go through smaller the other side OR take another route such as via [[Luxembourg]], passing through less densely populated areas, instead. Avoid trying to get lifts along routes that don't make sense to the drivers; pick a logical A to B route between two major towns or cities that many drivers are likely to be making.