Hitch-hiking in the USA.

[Focus]

OK. Now I don't know what to do (you notice I am easily influenced...). Because, you know, this hitch hiking throughout the USA is a dream I've been nurturing for quite some time.

BTW, it would be a pleasure to visit you to Wisconsin, Buddha (if I am not mistaken, this state is next to Quebec?).

I think there is the Greyhound bus system which covers the whole country. This could be a solution to travel easily among various states, without the trouble of being dropped at 100 km from the closest motel...

I'll have to think that out and plan a few weeks in this country - whatever the choice of transportation.

Thank you for your suggestions.

[Focus]

I've checked on a map and Wisconsin is quite far from Quebec... Hope you'll forgive my lack of culture

[wpruitt]

I think there is the Greyhound bus system which covers the whole country. This could be a solution to travel easily among various states, without the trouble of being dropped at 100 km from the closest motel...

Thank you for your suggestions.

Greyhound is not that great; I rode one recently to airport.  Seats are not always available and you have to wait for the next bus.  From major hub to major hub, you can reserve seats.  Look into Amtrak (the passenger rail system):  they are at www.amtrak.com .  Routes can be a bit limited and many cities only have one train at day (example:  Atlanta has a southbound to Birmingham and New Orleasns, which leaves at 8:00 AM each day and a nortbound to Charlotte, DC and NYC at 8:00 PM each day.  There is better service in the NE corridor and on the West Coast.  Check'em out.

[Focus]

Thanks for advice.

I'll have to check all that out.

[buddha]

I've never ridden a Greyhound bus but by the looks of the seats I am not certain how comfortable I would be. Trains, however, can be a good time. I used to take the train to Denver every summer to see my grandparents. Not the most comfortable sleeping but you can sit in the observation car at night and look at the stars, eat in the dining car, and actually go for walks. I much prefer the train to air travel especially now that the tsa seems fixated on genitalia.

[Focus]

I like trains, too.

It would certainly be a good way of travelling. Especially considering I will probably make jumps from one city to the next. I don't need air travel.

[bella]

I'll add to the chorus that doesn't recommend hitch hiking.  I've only seen one hitchhiker in all my years in the US and my friends and I thought it was incredibly weird (he was hitching in suburban detroit, on the surface streets no less).

It's easy to meet locals in bars and pubs, and in smaller towns museum/shop owners will probably be happy to talk your ear off as well. 

Amtrak does cover the country pretty thoroughly via train, though outside of the Northeast, coverage is a bit more spread out.  Amtrak is absolutely nothing like European trains in terms of coverage, and its pretty slow way to get across the country, but if you take regional trains they stop in some smaller towns where you'll be able to get the local flavor more easily, and there are dining/lounge cars where you can socialize with other passengers interested in doing the same.

[Plano]

Definitely do NOT hitch hike, as we have all heard of the horror stories that come with it, and like others have said, it's illegal in places, as well.


Rent a car if you're looking to do the RT. 66 cruise. That way you can stop wherever you see fit, as there are some fairly interesting stops along the way

[Focus]

Definitely do NOT hitch hike, as we have all heard of the horror stories that come with it,

I understand, but at some point, you have to bear in mind that if people are killed daily in cars and airplanes, it doesn't prevent you from travelling. You still have to go out.
In the case of the USA, I think the real trouble with hitchhiking is its image among the population.

and like others have said, it's illegal in places, as well.

This is a real problem. I would definitely not behave against the law of some state. BTW, what could the police tell me? If I walk along a road with a thumb up, I could hardly believe the police would bring me to jail. When you hitchhike, you do nothing that could harm anyone...

[bennett11]

You still see some hitchhikers in the US - depends where you live.  As mentioned rte. 66 pretty much doesn't exist.  There are some short stretches.  Old 66 went thru Flagstaff AZ which I have visited many times.  The best way to do what you want is to get an unlimited bus pass (Greyhound) for a time period.  That way you can go where you want any where in the continental US.  You certainly will meet the local people and depending on bus route many stops.  Years ago I took a bus trip from Chicago to southern Florida.  Believe me I met interested people.  Take a local bus instead of express - I can assure you will meet local people.  These are people that do not travel in luxury ever.  Train travel in US pretty non existent except in NE corridor.  There are trains but.  very limited service. 

[Focus]

The best way to do what you want is to get an unlimited bus pass (Greyhound) for a time period.  That way you can go where you want any where in the continental US.  

That sounds great. It gives a lot of freedom. I'll go on their site to check the price of this pass.
I guess there are motels next to each bus stop?

[bennett11]

Not certain greyhound still does this but look into it.  Greyhound terminals are often not in the best part of town.  But they have info on hotels and motels.  US used to have excellent intercity train service. With advent of the interstate system and the move from cities to suburbs our public transportation system is a disgrace.  Phoenix for example which is the 5 th largest city in the country has no Amtrak train service at all.  Another option to consider is rent a car and stay overnight at bed and breakfasts.  This are normally someone with big house that rent out a room or so overnight.  You will meet native people that way.  Remember campgrounds in the US are in parks largely, state or National.  People camp out here to be closer to nature  not as a cheaper accommodation.  Campgrounds are very seldom in cities. 

Touring the US by Greyhound will give you a view of the country that many Americans never experience.

[Focus]

They still do it (7day / 15 day / 30 day / 60 day pass).

It can be a very interesting option.

[buddha]

There's a thing called Hostelling International which used to be called American Youth Hostels. I've never stayed in one but I knew a couple of people years ago who stayed in their facilities as part of a long range bicycle trip. Cheaper than a motel, I don't know what other services they provide but I pasted the link below.

http://www.hiusa.org/?gclid=CJeyqa3bxLcCFZBcMgodczwALw

[Focus]

The hostel system seems very good. I've checked on a map : they are mainly located on the West Coast and in the N-E. Nothing in the center of the country. I guess there are fewer tourists in the center?