Hitch-hiking in the USA.

[Plano]

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...

You're right. There is no trouble if you're picked up by an honet person. However there are psychos out there THAT hitchhike to get picked up and then take advantage of the unsuspecting good samaritan. Obviously YOU are of no worry, but the modern person doesn't know that and odds are you'd have a hell of a hard time getting picked up.

To answer your question about what the police could do totally depends on the area you are confronted in. Police definitely vary from state to state, and also town size to town size. It all depends what the rules and regulations are there.

So, all though you're an honest guy with no harm intended, it's best to just see the USA in other ways.

They've mentioned hostels, which are definitely popular along the coasts, but throughout the middle of the USA, things are definitely different than you'd find in NYC, LA, Miami, etc.

When do you plan on taking this journey?

[benlen]

It's difficult to determine whether hitch hiking is more dangerous today, or if the dangers are simply more overblown because of our easy access to info. It isn't as if there are any more crazy people out there today as there were fifty years ago––it's just that more people are diagnosed and there is more media attention on hitch hiking's dangers.

I've hitch-hiked once before and was successful because I did my best to appear non-threatening AND I had my skis and poles and was looking for a ride to a mountain.

People are a lot more likely to pick you up if you look the part in certain areas.


The key to hitch hiking successfully is looking the part. Don't look like that deranged, chain smoking, leathery skinned weirdo holding a cardboard sign next to you. Do your best to look clean, smell good, and appear happy, and you'll have much better luck.

The Art of Manliness has a good article on this:

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2012/06/04/travel-like-your-grandfather-how-to-hitchhike-around-the-usa/

[Focus]

TO PLANO : I don't know when I go but not right now. I am finishing my last house and have invested roughly all my money in it. So i am financially dry. But in a few months, I'll have a new amount of money in the bank. The time limit I gave myself is summer 2014.

TO BENLEN : The site is very good and gives very good advice. But there is one strange thing :

Dress the Part
People pick up hitchhikers that dress like they do. Dress like the people in the area for much better “luck.”
Wear jeans and a flannel shirt in a working-class community. Khakis will work better in a more white-collar community.

I'll just bring my set of clothes.

[bennett11]

Looking up hitchhiking in the USA and the laws which vary from state to state.  It appears that in vast majority of States it is illegal and subject to a fine except when the person is in state of emergency or a disabled car.  I know hitchhiking on interstates has been forbidden for years.

[Quetzalcoatl]

See if you can find a bus tour of Route 66.  You can drive through the more scenic areas and stop at some of the more prominant sites.  You could also meet other tourists this way.

Just an idea.

[Focus]

TO BENNETT : Apparently, after checking the info, hitchhiking is legal in every state. But the police might be a bit over zealous and give me some trouble.

TO QUETZALCOATL : When I go somewhere, I like to meet "real", local people. But this idea is a track to follow. There might exist interesting tours in the area or 2/3 day excursions. I'll have a look at that.

Thanks