Where to hitchhike

A good hitchhiking spot makes hitchhiking safer and easier. Finding a good spot might be tricky, and sometimes knowing the area is an advantage. If you know your route, you might check the best places on this wiki or from the internet, before heading to the road. Asking locals about good places, such as from your driver before she drops you off, might be a good idea as well, as locals often have an idea about good hitchhiking spots - though sometimes the advice is bad, so use your own judgement - it's your call.

There are some generic hitchhiking places, like gas stations, bus stops etc. This page attempts to provide an understanding about where you should hitchhike.

Bus stop

Bus stops are in some cases the only place to hitchhike legally. This is the case when a driver drops you off in a crossection of a highway.

Pros

• It is a safe place to stand
• It is a safe place for the drivers to stop

Cons

• The drivers might thinkg you are waiting for a bus

Gas stations

Gas stations are good places to ask for a ride, especially while hitchhiking along a highway.

Pros

• Safe place
• You can and should ask for a ride from drivers.

  Ask friendly, and always say thanks and such, even if they are going the right direction and don't want to take you. If you get annoyed by this, the next person you ask will notice your annoyance and will be less eager to take you.

• Thumbing is easy, as the cars drive slowly
• Possibly warm

Cons

• You miss the cars passing the station.

On ramps

On ramps to freeways and interstates are prime realty as long as the driver has room to pull over. A good spot to stand usually is beside the no pedestrain sign.

Outside of town

Before or after a town is a good place to hitch. Usually where the speed limit changes or main area of businesses and housing ends.

Anywhere cars can pull over safely

• huge parking spaces