Introduction
Asking people, usually strangers, for a ride in their road vehicle
For the genetics term, see Genetic hitchhiking. For other uses of "Hitchhiker", see Hitchhiker (disambiguation). For other uses of "Hitchhike", see Hitchhike (disambiguation).
Hitchhiking waiting times worldwide with uncertainties of estimation (2024) - based on data from Hitchwiki Maps
A man and woman hitchhiking near Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1936, photograph by Walker Evans
A man with both a physical gesture and a sign
Hitchhiking (also known as hitch-hiking, hitching, thumbing, and autostop) is a means of transportation that relies on soliciting rides from individuals, usually strangers. Recognized hand gestures, signage, and casual prearrangement, as in a solicitation at a rest stop, are used.
Most hitchhikes are free. Occasionally on a longer ride the driver may request their guest chip in towards gas, or coffee and such at a break; more often than asking they will volunteer to pay for such things themselves, recognizing that a person hitchhiking probably is low on funds, and willing to do a good turn. Casual contribution by the hitcher towards expenses does not void a ride as a hitchhike, but arranging payment in advance, regardless of who is providing the transport, is fee-for-service, however informal.
Signaling methods
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A typical hitchhiker's gesture in Europe, North America, South America, and Australia
Hitchhikers use a variety of signals, typically hand gestures, or displays, including signs, to indicate they need a ride.
Common hand gestures include:
In most of Europe, North America, South America and Australia, most hitchhikers stand with their back facing the direction of travel. The hitchhiker typically extends their arm towards the road with the thumb of the closed hand pointing upward or in the direction of vehicle travel.
The gesture is unique to hitchhiking, and distinct from the waving display and arm motion of hailing a cab, or seeking to flag a vehicle down in an emergency.
In some African countries, the hitchhiker's hand is held with the palm facing upwards.
Legality
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Two of the signs used in the United States, forbidding hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is historically a common practice worldwide, and there are very few places in the world where laws exist to restrict it. However, a minority of countries have laws that restrict hitchhiking at certain locations. In the United States, for example, some local governments have laws outlawing hitchhiking, on the basis of drivers' and hitchhikers' safety. In Canada, several highways have restrictions on hitchhiking, particularly in British Columbia and the 400-series highways in Ontario. In all countries in Europe, it is legal to hitchhike and in some places even encouraged. However, worldwide, even where hitchhiking is permitted, laws forbid hitchhiking in places where pedestrians are banned, such as the Autobahn (Germany), Autostrade (Italy), motorways (United Kingdom and continental Europe, with the exception of, at least, Lithuania) or Interstate highways (United States), although hitchhikers often obtain rides at entrances and truck stops where it is legal, at least throughout Europe with the exception of Italy.[unreliable source?]
