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The waiting time is short, usually 15-45 minutes, and many Many cars drive directly to Manchester or [[Stockport]]. Once you're in the countryside hitching becomes a lot easier, so it it is worthwhile accepting short lifts. == Hitching without using public transport == The "traditional" way to hitch out of Sheffield is on the 'Castlegate'/'Sheffield Parkway' road, just after Park Square roundabout. However, the road system is complex and it is very difficult for drivers to stop there. * From the cathedral in the city centre, follow the tramlines downhill (you may as well walk instead of buying a tram ticket: the distance from the cathedral is about 10 minutes' walk). You'll pass by the tramstops 'Cathedral', 'Castle Square' and 'Fitzalan Square/Ponds Forge'.* The track then goes over a bridge. Go over the bridge as well. Underneath you is Park Square roundabout (see photo '''2)''').* Take the footpaths over the roundabout, and you will see a main road leading out of the city (see photo '''3)''' and the map above). Find a suitable spot on that road and hitchhike from there - cars are going to the M1 motorway and will take you in all directions except towards Manchester. === Motorway service stations ===The first service station heading north on the M1 is '''[[Woolley Edge services]]'''. It is between junctions 38 and 39. It is 30km away. The first service station heading south on the M1 is '''[[Woodall services]]'''. It is between junctions 31 and 30. It is 15km away. === Map of West Sheffield/Sheffield city centre ==={|style="margin: 0 auto;"|<map lat='53.3809' lng='-1.4852' zoom='14' view='0' width='800' height='220'/>|}
The best option for hitching South on the M1 (towards London, Nottingham etc.) is to catch the bus to the village of Woodall for around £2 and walk down a farmtrack to Woodall Service Station. Counter-intuitively, this is also one of the most efficient ways of going North (there is a footbridge over the motorway). To do this, catch a bus from the bus interchange to the village of Woodall. Ring the bell to get off when the bus goes under the motorway (the bus seems to stop at every lamp-post and takes about ?45mins to get there), then backtrack a few tens of metres and take the farm track. Use you eyes and it's easy.
The "traditional" way to hitch out of Sheffield is on the 'Castlegate'/'Sheffield Parkway' road, just after Park Square roundabout. However, the road system is complex and it is very difficult for drivers to stop there. Waiting times are 45-90 minutes or longer.
* From the cathedral in the city centre, follow the tramlines downhill (you may as well walk instead of buying a tram ticket: the distance from the cathedral is about 10 minutes' walk). You'll pass by the tramstops 'Cathedral', 'Castle Square' and 'Fitzalan Square/Ponds Forge'.
* The track then goes over a bridge. Go over the bridge as well. Underneath you is Park Square roundabout (see photo '''2)''').
* Take the footpaths over the roundabout, and you will see a main road leading out of the city (see photo '''3)''' and the map above). Find a suitable spot on that road and hitchhike from there - cars are going to the M1 motorway and will take you in all directions except towards Manchester.
Going North, Junction 34 of the M1 by Meadowhall shopping centre is another option. Waiting times of up to 2hrs are typical but you will get a lift sooner or later. Take the bus, tram or train to Meadowhall (public transport is really keen to get you there) and then use your eyes and get to the motorway. It's a bit of a maze of bridges over the canal and railway and underpasses under the road, but it's not far and you'll figure it out.
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Take care when reading the maps on boards in the city centre. Most are not orientated with North upwards. Instead, they are orientated with the forward direction upwards, which can take some getting used to.
== Hitchhiking out Out Northbound (M1 to Leeds, Edinburgh) ==Many drivers are friendly towards hitchhikersFor heading north on the M1, although they often behave defensively at firstyou can take the bus, tram, or train to Meadowhall Interchange from different parts of the city. A sign with Here, there is a city name works well, and so does 'M1 NORTH'/'layby just before the on ramp to the M1 SOUTH(northbound) after the Sainsbury's petrol station.
=== Motorway service stations =Hitchhiking Out Southbound (M1/A1 to Nottingham, London) & (A1 East to Cambridge, Norwich)==The first service station heading north on the There are a few ways to get onto M1 is '''[[Woolley Edge services]]'''. It is between junctions 38 and 39. It is 30km away.southbound from Sheffield: The first service station heading south on - From Sheffield South: Opposite the M1 BP garage at Meadowhead roundabout there is '''[[Woodall services]]'''a layby, not ideal but OK. It - From Sheffield Centre: There is between junctions no obvious or easy way! You can get the X54 or X55 from Sheffield Centre to junction 31 and 30of the M1 - from which you can access A57 to join A1 east or join M1 south. It is 15km away. === Map You can also stay on the bus to get to village of West Sheffield/Woodall (about one hour ride from Sheffield city centre ==={|style="margin: 0 auto;"|<map lat='53) and walk down a farmtrack to Woodall Service Station.3809' lng=' Counter-1intuitively, this is also a route for going North (there is a footbridge over the motorway).4852' zoom='14' view='0' width='800' height='220'/>|}
=== West, to [[Manchester]] ===
The junction itself is not ideal for hitchhiking, being on a corner with traffic lights and a box junction, where the cars waiting to turn right up the fork are not easily accessible by a pedestrian. A much better option would be to start walking along the A57 Manchester Road itself for a short way. Head up past Ashdell girls school, and you've probably gone far enough here. Be careful though, in school hours, there are about a million chelsea tractors parked on the double yellows here, and you won't get seen. Further down the road there are better stopping places for the cars, however a lot of this is uphill and can be tiring.
=== All other directions ===
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Another options might be worth investigating buses in the direction of Grenoside etc. and trying to get a lift up to junction 36. You'd have to hitch from a residential neighbourhood to do this, however, so further research is needed. The roundabout beyond Sheffield Wesnesday's Owlerton stadium (Hillborough) might be a good place to try.
Another option for going North would be to go via Manchester.
The Attercliffe Common/Broughton Lane junctionis junction is another possibility for accessing the M1, although it is unlikely to be much better than the Castlegate/Sheffield Parkway spot described above.
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