Another bad idea is the use of shortcuts, because only locals know them (like HH for Hamburg).
Also, the driver can see your faraway destination city and although he doesn't want to go there, he could take you for the next 200km. Most drivers don't realise how helpful they could be with these 200km, so they drive on.
I always If you already have enough a lot of baggage with me. So I really don’t need you probably don't want to carry around another square meter of waterproofed cardboard in my your backpack.Use what you find and what you can put in the next garbage can! Another option is to just use normal A4 paper and a plastic map.I Some only use sometimes funny signs or at some crossroads they could be helpful and or when I am they're not the only hitchhiker who is standing next to the motorway.
...but it's like religion, everybody has his own idea of it! <br clear="all" />