Virginia

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Virginia is a southern state in the USA. Hitchhikers seem to think hitching in Virginia is decent.

Law

46.2-929. Pedestrians soliciting rides. Pedestrians shall not stand or stop in any roadway for the purpose of soliciting rides.

46.2-100. Definitions. "Roadway" means that portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the shoulder.

Federal Districts

Note:All land owned by the National Park service prohibits hitchhiking under the Code of Federal Regulations Title 36 section 4.31: Hitchhiking or soliciting transportation is prohibited except in designated areas and under conditions established by the superintendent.

  • Blue Ridge Parkway

4.31 has not been amended here, so hitchhiking is prohibited.

  • Shenandoah National Park

Hitchhiking is permitted in the following areas under the conditions noted: Along Skyline Drive and in developed areas when associated with hiking within the park

  • Green Springs National Historic Landmark District

4.31 has not been amended here, so hitchhiking is prohibited.

  • Prince William Forest Park

4.31 has not been amended here, so hitchhiking is prohibited.

Local Laws

Anecdotal report(s) indicate that police may fine people for hitchhiking in Norfolk. Despite this, Norfolk city ordinance does allow hitchhiking while off the roadway. Sec. 25-631. Hitchhiking.

No pedestrian shall stand or stop in any roadway for the purpose of soliciting rides.

(Code 1958, § 29-591.1)


Experiences

Not so difficult but definitely stay off the interstate freeways. It is legal to hitchhike on other roads. Good state for train hopping. Almost all trains lead in or out of Roanoke.

The Appalachian Mountain region of the western part of the state makes for the easiest hitching around, particularly near the Appalachian Trail where hikers regularly hitch to and from nearby towns.

"Virginia gets a bad rap for hitchhiking. But I've gotten a hitch across the road from a Prison up in the mountains. It can be done!" - Anonymous Hitchhiker

Hitching in Virginia is not nearly as bad as people seem to think. I-81 runs from the northern bit of the state all the way down almost to Asheville, North Carolina. Rides tend to be short but there are many small towns along the way with good ramps (including two college towns with younger more liberal populations) and you won't wait terribly long between rides. Scenery is beautiful. Up north, I-66 is surprisingly easy in both direction (into DC and out to the mountains.) The last exit on 66 before the junction with 81 is Front Royal; the ramps are beautiful with plenty of traffic and I've even had a couple cops drive by and just nod.

I am hitching through Virginia as I write this from Lynchburg and have had a decent experience so far. My rate of catching rides has been about equal to the national average, maybe a little better, and so far I have yet to have a police encounter. Thewindandrain 00:24, 28 August 2012 (CEST)

In November 2014 I was on my way from Roanoke to D.C. It was very easy to get to Roanoke. But to D.C. was horrible. First a law enforcement officer gave me a ride (it rained and he felt sorry) to Harrisonburg. There I was chased away from the shoulder of an Interstate entry two times. I was on a tight schedule so I didn't want to argue (I stood on the shoulder before the famous signs saying <No pedestrians .... shall be on the highway behind this sign>. There was a truck stop, but everyone seemed going south. Finally when it got dark someone took me to another truck stop. But same there. Noone was going to D.C. (I-66). A truck driver took me to Strasburg, where I slept in the woods at -5°C/20°F next to a truck stop surrounded by fences. Next day was ok though. I was even driven right next to Lincoln memorial. Redjo27 20:13, 20 December 2014 (CEST)


trash:Virginia