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 from the internet (try digihitch.com, Worldwide Database of places for Hitchhikers or search this guide by names of towns and cities), before heading to the road. Asking about good places from your driver (before he/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). Location, location, location.
There are some generic hitchhiking places, like gas stations, bus stops etc. This page attempts to provide an understanding about where you should hitchhike.
Feel free to improve the page by editing.
Contents
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 ask for a ride from drivers
- Thumbing is easy, as the cars drive slowly
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.