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Phoenix (Arizona)

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<map lat='33.4484' lng='-112.074' zoom='9' view='3' float='right' country='United States'/>
'''Phoenix''' is [[Arizona]]'s state capital and largest city, located in the south-central region of the state with major highways including I-10 (east-west) and I-17 (originating downtown and heading north). It is not a hitchhiker-friendly city by far, one big suburban sprawl full of highways, but there are some good spots around to get out of it.
Hitchhiking out of the Phoenix area means getting to an outlying suburb by bus ($2 one way bus fare) or have a friend drop you at a good spot, then planting yourself at a major truck stop exit or nearby highway on-ramp. Note that public transport is quite slow and quirky, which is to say, it rarely goes where needed or expected and is almost guaranteed to be at least 20 minutes late. Also note that there are no transfers available, and purchasing a day pass on board a bus costs $6. Buy one at a Circle K or lightrail station for $4 instead.
== Hitchhiking Exit Points out ===== I-10 Westbound, West towards [[California]] Bound ===[[File:I-10-to-Phoenix.jpg|thumb|300px|right|I-10, 140 miles from Phoenix]]'''Exit 137 at 67th Avenue.''' From downtown Phoenix, take local Bus #17 west, get off at 67th avenue and walk 1/2 mile south. Two truckstops here: Flying J and Danny's-A Big Rig Resort. Between the two is a public road that all trucks must pass to get back onto the highway. Stand here at the corner with a sign stating your destination ("I-10 WEST", for example). [[User:thewindandrain|TheWindAndRain]] waited at this spot for 3 days before giving up and deciding to go a different direction. [[User:wallpaper|Wallpaper]] was harassed by police here and told to leave after waiting for only five minutes.
Alternatively, the regional bus #685 * '''Love's Travel Stop at Buckeye''' First you need to get to Desert Sky Transit Center. There are no direct buses from downtown Phoenix but you can take for example [http://wwwroutes.valleymetro.org/timetables/transit_route/765?type=2 bus 3 Westbound] from Van Burren & Central Avenue and get off on Van Burren & 75th. Desert Sky is 2.ajotransportation5 miles to the north.comFrom there [http:/wp-content/uploadsroutes.valleymetro.org/2011timetables/12801/Route-transit_route?type=7 bus 685-PIC] to Gila Bend/Ajo passes near Love's Truck Stop.jpg] It costs $4 and connects from the Desert Sky Transit Center in Phoenix to Ajo, a small mining town in Southern Arizona. If you take it seven stops to Gila Bendfrom Desert Sky, you can hitchhike directly on at the I-8. The town also has a Love's truck stop and there are many fast food places that may be good for soliciting rides. Bear in mind that there are only a few buses a day Monday to Friday (5.15 am, 9.55 am, 12.40 pm, 3.55 pm and 7 pm) and two on Saturday (11 am and 3 pm).
=== I-10 Eastbound, [[Tucson]] or [[New Mexico]] Bound === * '''Exit 162 137 at the Gila River Casino/ Firebird Raceway entrance.67th Avenue''' There is no local bus that goes all the way to this location, but from From downtown Phoenix you can , take the #1 north local bus (17 west, get off at 67th avenue and walk 1/2 mile south. Two truckstops here: Flying J and Danny's-A Big Rig Resort. Between the two is a free transfer ticket when you board) public road that all trucks must pass to get back onto the #56 south bus, to highway. Stand here at the end of the line at Chandler Blvd, then try to hustle corner with a local ride just 5 miles further south sign stating your destination (south is eastbound on this stretch of "I-10WEST", for example). Once there [[User:thewindandrain|TheWindAndRain]] waited at Exit 162, Love's Travel Stop is a new truckstop nearby this spot for 3 days before giving up and the highway on-ramp is large enough for deciding to go a truck to stopdifferent direction. [[User:Salmanwallpaper|This hitchhikerWallpaper]] has received several rides from was harassed by police here, from cars heading and told to the area of Casa Grande. Just past Casa Grande is the I-8/ I-10 junction, with several large truckstops. You should not have to accept any ride going a shorter distance than this. If you hold out, you may make it all the way to Tucson in one rideleave after waiting for only five minutes.
=== I-10 South and East towards [[Tucson]] and [[New Mexico]] === * '''Love's Travel Stop at Chandler'''From Phoenix take any bus or light rail going to Tempe Transportation Center. You'll be better off taking a bus as you can pay for one ride which is $2 and ask for a transfer slip and take another bus from Tempe without additional cost. There are no free transfers from light rail. Once in Tempe take bus 66 to Lone Butte Casino which is the last stop. Walk towards Chevron gas station and turn right/west into Allison Road. Continue for a mile until you get to traffic lights and turn left/south. You will see large McDonald's sign. Once there at Exit 162, Love's Travel Stop is a new truck stop nearby and the highway on-ramp is large enough for a truck to stop. [[User:Salman|This hitchhiker]] has received several rides from here, from cars heading to the area of Casa Grande. Just past Casa Grande is the I-8/ I-10 junction, with several large truck stops. You should not accept any ride going a shorter distance than this. If you hold out, you may make it all the way to Tucson in one ride. === I-17 North, towards [[Sedona]] or and [[Flagstaff]] Bound ===* '''Carefree Highway junction or Deer Valley Road.''' It is unsafe to hitchhike an I-17 on-ramp until at least as far north as Bell Rd or Deer Valley Rd. Ideally, you want to be outside the city at Carefree Highway before starting to hitchhike, but unless you can hustle a local ride this far, try this:
From downtown Phoenix take bus #27 north to the Metrocenter Transit Center. Get a free transfer ticket when you board. Take #35 north bus to the end of the line (tell the bus driver to let you off closest to the furthest I-17 on-ramp, Deer Valley Road). This on-ramp is not ideal, but there is room for a car to safely pull to the shoulder. If you find yourself waiting long, make a sign that says "Carefree Highway". It is only about 10 miles further north, and many drivers getting on the highway are going at least that far. If dropped off at Carefree, stick out your thumb and smile. You should have a long ride soon. No need to accept any ride less than to Cordes Junction (about 50 miles). Avoid taking a ride to New River (suspicious locals due to upscale housing, possible cop hassle as a result). Black Canyon City may be an interesting stop with some good cafes in town (Rock Springs Cafe, Four Bees Cafe), but you may have a hard time getting out.
=== State Route 87, towards [[Payson]] Bound ===
If you want to try your luck northeast along the Beeline Highway to Payson and Eastern Arizona, you will need to get out to Fountain Hills past the city of Scottsdale. Local bus service using bus #106 north will only take you part of the way, to Shea Road at 134th street. You will need to go another 10 miles or so past upscale residential areas before beginning to hitchhike without major hassle. There are many drivers en route heading for Fort Mcdowell casino and if you can catch a ride that far you can begin hitchhiking soon after. Try walking along the sidewalk with your back to traffic and your thumb out until you get far enough to really lay on the hitchhiking persuasion.
There's a good spot around 163rd Ave. [[User:Guaka|guaka]] and Kenny only waited a short time before being picked up. [[User:thewindandrain|TheWindAndRain]] can attest to the fact that the Flying J at 163rd and I10 is an easy place to catch a truck ride to [[Wickenburg]].
== Public Transport ==
Check [http://www.valleymetro.org/planning_your_trip/system_map this website] to see the interactive map of the entire public transport system
== Legal Issues ==
Hitchhiking is at the very least discouraged within the Phoenix metro area and may be outright illegal. For this reason, always get to the far city limits, as mentioned in the exit points above, before attempting to hitchhiking. Otherwise, expect cop hassle and possibly a warning citation or fine. Also, nearly all of the Phoenix metro area is within Maricopa county and so is under the jurisdiction of Sheriff Joe Arpaio, called "America's Toughest Sheriff". His deputies are encouraged to uphold this tough stance, so be aware of your surroundings and consider that the (often draconian) laws will be interpreted and upheld to their fullest extent and often beyond.{{IsIn|Arizona}}
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