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Texans can often be individualists, meaning they will often see your lack of a vehicle as a personal failure. However, in addition to having an individualist culture, Texans also tend to be notoriously friendly and laid-back. "Southern Hospitality" lives, if you're willing to engage your rides regardless of their accents, their political ideologies, or whatever nonsense may be pasted on their bumpers.<p> Texas is a massive state, with many of its residents having migrated from other states. Thus it is impossible to state anything "typical" of it. Additionally, there are many immigrants from Mexico, from whom you will receive many rides. The casual kindness of Mexicans can often be your salvation, and they'll just throw you in the back of the pickup without a second thought - maybe this is because hitchhiking is common in Mexico.
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{{Infobox Location
|country = United States
|map = <map lat='31.541089879585808' lng='-99.2724609375' zoom='5'/>
|pop = 27,695,284 (2015)
}}
'''Texas''' is a state of in the [[United States of America]]. Texans can often be individualists, meaning they will often see your lack of a vehicle as a personal failure. However, in addition to having an individualist culture, Texans also tend to be notoriously friendly and laid-back. "Southern Hospitality" lives, if you're willing to engage your rides regardless of their accents, their political ideologies, or whatever nonsense may be pasted on their bumpers.<p> Texas is a massive state, with many of its residents having migrated from other states. Thus it is impossible to state anything "typical" of it. Additionally, there are many immigrants from [[Mexico]], from whom you will receive many rides. The casual kindness of Mexicans can often be your salvation, and they'll just throw you in the back of the pickup without a second thought. Maybe this is because hitchhiking is more common there
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== Roads ==
== Law ==
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.552.htm
Chapter 552.007. SOLICITATION BY PEDESTRIANS. (a) A person may not stand in a roadway ''(see definition below)'' to solicit a ride, contribution, employment, or business from an occupant of a vehicle, except that a person may stand in a roadway to solicit a charitable contribution if authorized to do so by the local authority having jurisdiction over the roadway.
Chapter 541 552.11 DEFINITIONS. "Roadway" means the portion 0071 For purposes of a highwaysolicitation under Subsection (a), other than a roadway is defined to include the berm or roadbed, shoulder, that is improvedmedian, curbs, safety zones, designedsidewalks, and utility easements located adjacent to or near the roadway.ordinarily used for vehicular travel.
As with most states, the definition of roadway allows for the solicitation of rides on the non-travelled portion of a highway such as the shoulder or berm.
:''Texas definitely exceeded my expectations. The folks here are friendly and hospitable; none of that "You ain't from around here" stereotyping. Hitching is easy compared to neighboring states. Most locals work on oil rigs or ranches, so expect lots of working vehicles. '' -[[User:Dr.Keith|Keith]]
If you are comfortable doing so, I recommend standing where an on-ramp meets the highway itself (either on the shoulder or grass) - something that is legal in texas. The sheer number of cars means you will get a ride fairly quickly. Otherwise, ask at truck stops (ask truckers and regular cars). Pilot truck stops have free WiFi. The attendants are usually cool unless they think you're begging and/or scamming (something that people unfortunately see way too often and which can also make it difficult to get rides). I had pretty decent luck, making it over 1000 miles from Austin TX to Jacksonville FL in 2 days. I met some very kind people (including one trucker who let me sleep on the spare bunk in his truck) but I also got asked for sex by 2 drivers in texas. Hitchhiking in the states is a real bummer for me because of the way people regard you - most assume you're a begger, criminal, prostitute or all 3. They never consider that you could be doing this by choice and after this trip I understand why riding freight is so popular. Definately agree with the comment above that people would rather give you money than a ride. That said, its definately possible to have great experiences; be polite, try to seem "wholesome" and throw in a m'am/sir. As in other states, a lot of drivers told me they only gave me a ride as a female alone, and wouldn't have picked up a man or a couple. -Liz, December 2017
=== Cities ===
* [[Austin (Texas)|Austin]]
* [[Abeline (Texas)|Abeline]]
* [[Dallas]]
* [[El Paso (Texas)|El Paso]]
* [[Midland (Texas)|Midland/Odessa]]
* [[Amarillo]]
* [[Waco (Texas)|Waco]]
== External links ==
