Truck Bed Diaries: 6 Tips for Successful Hitching

When I first started doing research, reading about the trail and talking to experienced hikers about the trail, the subject of hitchhiking seemed to come up a lot. And I remember always thinking, “Naw, we’re not going to do that! Surely you can get by without getting rides from strangers! I’ve watched WAY too many episodes of Law and Order to allow myself to do something so foolish!!” Looking back now, I can’t help but laugh at myself.

That one time about 8 hikers crammed into a mini van headed to Franklin, NC.

Some of our favorite and most memorable trail experiences came from hitching rides. Like when a college student on a road trip gave us a ride off of a sudden blizzard on Roan Mountain. Or the first time we met Honey and Bear, our favorite hostel owners and trail angels. Or when we crammed about a dozen smelly hikers in the back of a truck bed headed to a trail magic church cookout. Or that time a police officer gave us a ride to Glasgow, VA in his squad SUV.

But that doesn’t mean that the first time we hitched wasn’t a little nerve-racking. We were very much newcomers to this alternate way of getting around, so it took us a while to get the hang of it. But by the end of our hike we, like all other hikers, would jump in the truck bed or small 2-door sedan of just about anybody if it meant getting to a McDonalds or a hotel shower. And we got pretty darn good at getting rides within minutes of sticking our thumbs out.

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6 Tips for Successful Hitchhiking

Here’s what got us from the trail to town and back during our thru hike:

1. Keep Numbers Low

Being in a large “bubble” of hikers can be a good thing, but not when it comes to trying to catch a ride. If a person driving down the road sees 12 hikers with their thumbs out, they’re automatically going to think “Aw, I wish I could stop, but I don’t have room for all of them!” There are times when a large group will be picked up by someone with a large truck, and it’s amazing when that happens. But it’s wise to spread yourselves out into groups of 2 or 3 along the road if possible.

2. Girl Power

 Now this one is going to sound  little strange, but just trust me. If you’re a guy, you always want to have a girl hitching with you. You may not ever see each other again, but she is your ticket to town. Girls give off the vibe of “This dirty, bearded creature must not be a cold-blooded killer if this nice lady is with him!” My husband is completely convinced that if I wasn’t hiking with him, he never would’ve received rides, which is quite possibly true. “Couples” always seem more approachable and trustworthy.

3. Cardboard Signs are Your Friend:

 At the beginning of your hike, go ahead and do yourself a huge favor and grab the first piece of cardboard you find. Borrow a pen or marker from wherever you are staying and make a “TO TOWN/TO TRAIL” sign (one on each side of the cardboard). This will help you out so much in your hitching ventures, plus it weighs virtually nothing. Fold it up and keep it in your pack. Remarkably, a lot of people driving by trailheads or through trail towns have no idea why you would be needing a ride or that you’re on a 2,000 mile journey. If people know where you’re headed, they’re much more likely to give you a ride.

4. Don’t Stray Too Far From the Trail:

 The farther from the trail you travel, the harder it will be to hitch a ride back. If you try to stay within a reasonable distance of the trail, it’s very likely it will be easy for you to get back on. This is not always possible, but it’s far more likely someone will drop you off 5 miles down the road rather than 30.

5. Parking Lots are Prime Real Estate:

We had our best hitching successes outside of gas stations and fast food restaurants. If you can stand the funny looks people passing by will give you, you are pretty much guaranteed a ride. Our very first hitch came from standing outside a McDonalds and basically asking people which direction they were headed. Again, your cardboard sign will help you tremendously, but you also want to be friendly and not afraid of approaching people and asking where they might be headed. It’s so much easer than standing on the side of the road with your thumb out while cars blow by. Plus, you can pick and choose who you decide to ask.

6. Use Your Best Judgement:

 If a person seems shady, they are. If you feel uncomfortable (this goes for girls and guys), you don’t have to accept the ride. Don’t feel like you have to accept the first ride you’re offered, there will be others. I was worried about a hitchhiker-loving serial killer picking us up, but I realized quickly that there was nothing to be afraid of. We met so many kind souls who were so interested in our story and what we were doing and who were willing to take us anywhere we wanted to go. Seeing tiny glimpses of people’s every day lives was so fascinating to me. I plan on picking up as many hikers as I can this thru-hiking season!

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Truck bed rides are without a doubt, THE best.

When you inevitably find yourself standing on the side of the road with your thumb sticking out, and it seems like you’ve been there for hours and every car just passes right by without a second glance, remember that the trail always provides. This includes hitches. We were so worried about getting a ride from Baxter State Park to Bangor, Maine in order to board our flight home after we summited Katahdin. It was one of the most stressful things we encountered logistically, but a few hours after summiting, we were in the car on the way to Bangor with our friend Croc and her dad in their SUV.

One more thing- always be grateful to the people who are nice enough to give you a hitch. We considered every one of those people trail angels and made sure to tell them so. Be gracious and be polite and make sure to apologize for stinking up their car!

If possible, try not to look like this or stand on any street corners with these names...

If possible, try not to look like this or stand on any street corners with these names…

 

Much love and happy trails,

 

Maranda Stone

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Comments 8

  • Gail Barrett : Feb 17th

    Thanks for the tips. I have to admit that hitchhiking worries me. One of my high school classmates was raped and murdered while hitchhiking many years ago, and it has been an iron clad rule of mine not to do it ever since. Is Uber a practical option?

    Reply
    • The Stones : Feb 17th

      You could definitely try uber in most places, plus a lot of the hostels will pick you up from the trail for a fee, but know that that will get expensive really quickly. We were always very comfortable hitching, and many times the people who live in the trail towns know that you’re an AT hiker so they are used to picking people up. Its all up to what you’re comfortable with and what you’re budget is.

      Reply
  • Nevis Beeman : Feb 17th

    My most memorable AT “hitching” experience occurred as I walked out of Waynesville VA after a splendid zero day there..I was only headed to Rockfish Gap outfitters; didn’t need a ride, wasn’t hitching, but this old car pulled up and I’m sure the little old lady driver was in her 80s; Poor soul looked absolutly crestfallen when I explained I was only walking to the outfitters, where I’d arranged to meet a friend.
    I’ll never forget the woebegone expression on her face….even now 3/ half years later !
    ‘Nevis Beeman’

    Reply
  • Matt : Mar 2nd

    National parks are great places to hitch, many Europeans who don’t have the American phobias! I had families in motorhomes picking me up! As far as being afraid, and thinking it was safer in the past but not now, remember for the most part crime rates are at 50 year lows! Unfortunately people don’t realize this.

    Reply
  • Dane Pikkola : Mar 3rd

    I’ve been hitching since I was in the service…60 yrs. ago! Never had a problem. But I have, however, been picked by some “interesting” people.
    I now look forward to hitching out of where ever I end up. It’s just part of the trip. HINT: find an old style window shade, and use a piece of that for your sign. Waterproof, weighs next to nothing, and rolls up nicely. I’ve been using the same one for years now. Also, put a smiley face on it!

    Reply
    • karyn : Mar 7th

      Sweet Idea Dane!! 🙂

      ~KC

      Reply
  • Retired firefighter Tim Andrew : Jan 13th

    Nice article, march 5th 2018 for me

    Reply

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