Many travellers try hitchhiking in ways that are not very effective, and end up stranded on roads for what feels like an eternity. This situation can be discouraging, causing the expectations and dreams you had for this magical journey to diminish. For this exact reason, fate has led you to this crazy article with the most useful tips so you can enjoy your trip without wasting time waiting.
However, this doesn’t mean you won’t get stuck on a deserted road for hours without food and water. It’s happened to me. You’ll cry, but in the end, it will be just a beautiful memory of solitude. Essentially, dear reader, you’ve stumbled upon an article that will cheat your journey by two hundred hours before you even realize it.
So let’s dive into my amazing tips.
1. Mama HitchWiki
HitchWiki is your mama on such a trip. It’s there to guide you on the right path, like a warm fireplace. Through this site, you can search for the city you’re in, and immediately a magical lamp will appear with ready-made instructions on how to get out of the city, which public transportation to use, and which road to end up on to make it ideal for hitchhiking to your next destination.
This genie has solved the same problem for me so many times that I am truly thankful it was there during the tough moments of my life. There’s a reason I call it Mama HitchWiki. Those who know, know. Those who don’t know, will learn.
2. Gas Stations
Gas stations are one of the best options to find your next victim. First of all, you’ll smell gasoline for hours. Secondly, they have toilets. You get the point, right? No more breeze cooling your behind during the ritual. But seriously, let me write the article. Gas stations are the top choice for hitchhiking because you directly communicate with your potential driver.
What does this mean? Initially, you’ll understand what kind of person you’re dealing with. Then, the driver will realize what a rookie you are. Let’s not forget that drivers don’t easily trust a random person hitchhiking on the road, but this way, you’ll inspire trust and increase your success rate for a ride. An extra positive aspect of gas stations is that you can talk to the driver about your destination.
This means you have more chances to end up directly at your destination without those segmented trips with intermediate stops and the hassle of looking for the next ride.
3. Smile. Life is Beautiful.
Smiling and your body language are tremendous techniques to make drivers like you and hit the brakes. The first impression is the most important, influencing a driver’s decision. So wear your smile and go out there to put on a show.
4. Be Well-Groomed
Clean clothes and a clean face are crucial for your image towards drivers. No one wakes up and says: Today I’ll pick up someone with dirty clothes and the smell of testosterone in my car. Put on a nice, neat shirt with a good pair of jeans, an expensive watch, gel in your hair, dress shoes, a hat to cover the gel, and you’re good to go.
5. Write Your Destination on a Cardboard
A cardboard sign with your destination is a form of communication with drivers. It shows exactly what you’re doing and where you want to go. The benefit of this is not just for you but also for the drivers who want to stop. It helps drivers heading to a different destination avoid stopping to ask where you’re going and also helps drivers going the same way consider picking you up.
6. Choose Spots with Easy Access for Car Stops
The road you choose for hitchhiking should have enough space for cars to stop without obstructing traffic or causing an accident just because you decided to hitchhike at a bad spot.
7. Choose Roads Where Cars Travel at Low Speeds
It’s dangerous and forbidden to hitchhike on high-speed roads. Your priority is everyone’s safety. The advantage of choosing roads where cars travel at low speeds is that drivers have more time from the moment they see you to decide whether to pick you up. So, avoid curves, hills, bridges, and anything else that blocks your beauty from shining through to drivers.
8. Be on Roads Leading to Your Destination
Choosing to hitchhike in the wrong direction or within the city is like rejecting the Genie from the lamp. You will never reach your destination.
9. Don’t Hitchhike at Night
For many obvious reasons, there are not many advantages to hitchhiking at night. First of all, you won’t be visible, and drivers won’t trust you. It’s better to find a place to set up your tent/hammock and relax until morning. However, I have a little story to share here. One warm summer night in Bulgaria, I hitchhiked to climb a mountain where a house and some friends were waiting for me.
I wasn’t visible at all, but I turned on a flashlight and held it far away so my face and hand hitchhiking could be seen. I was determined to reach my destination. I had gone to the supermarket and couldn’t wait to get there and cook. My hopes had dwindled because time was passing, traffic was decreasing, and the chances were getting slimmer. At some point, a car stops, a guy gets out, and the first thing he says to me is:
What the hell are you doing here at this hour? Hitchhiking. You’re crazy, get in. It turned out he was a monk from a monastery who had gone to buy candles, etc., and I happened to be on his way, going 3km before his destination. That worked out well!
10. Don’t Smoke While Hitchhiking. Choose Your Priority
I don’t want to hide behind my finger. I did it. We smoke at the bus stop because we’re bored waiting for a few minutes. Imagine when you’re hitchhiking. Nevertheless, I have to mention it.
11. If You Have a Travel Companion, Show That There Are Two of You
Firstly, we don’t want the driver to be surprised by the second person, and secondly, there might not be enough space in the car for two. You delay the driver while simultaneously losing your chances for the cars that have already passed as you try to communicate.
Generally, during your journey, you’ll realize the benefits of the aforementioned tips and add more to your list that will help you ease the search for a ride.
After all, it’s the journey that matters, not the destination. After such a trip, this expression is deeply ingrained in you.
