Are there U.S. states where it is illegal to hitchhike? I have looked around and have not found any site which has substantiated their claims with up to date sources.
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13As a reminder, one of the expectations of StackExchange is that you demonstrate some initial research effort. For instance, a simple Google search on "hitchhiking legal us" turns up a Hitchwiki, blogs of various sorts, and even a legal information site page on the matter.– chosterCommented Feb 28, 2017 at 0:09
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16@choster: many of those sites have unsubstantiated, unsourced, or out-of-date information. Hitchwiki has the information, but buried throughout the website. I compiled all the sourced information all in one place, which I argue is useful.– crypdickCommented Feb 28, 2017 at 0:12
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8You should cite your research and describe why those findings are inadequate. Otherwise, answerers will waste time providing answers based on those easily available sources. This is basic SE courtesy.– chosterCommented Feb 28, 2017 at 0:14
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5@choster: Please note that crypdick answered his/her own question a few seconds before your first comment. It's very difficult to show just the right amount of research in a self-answered question -- too little, and it's not clear why the question merits a post here; too much, and the answer itself will be in the question. I think we can cut crypdick a bit of slack if (s)he didn't strike quite the right balance.– ruakhCommented Feb 28, 2017 at 9:22
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6@crypdick: Note that there is an option when asking a question to post an answer simultaneously. It isn't clear here whether you used it or not, but from the reaction of choster it seems you didn't and this created some drama. If you wish to self-answer, I encourage you to use it. Also note that it doesn't dispense from creating a well-formulated question (and yes, it's not easy to balance how much to put in the question...).– Matthieu M.Commented Feb 28, 2017 at 10:37
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2 Answers
It varies from state to state.
Some are legal for it to be done on the shoulder of the road. (green)
Others off the travelled part of the road (eg stand in grass). (yellow)
Others - completely illegal. (red)
Others - unclear. (grey)
There's a map and guide on Hitchwiki indicating the status for each one. This comes from the main USA page on Hitchwiki.
answered Feb 28, 2017 at 0:43
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4In green states, it's wise to look for "No hitchhiking" signs, which in some states tend to be posted in places where it could commonly interfere with traffic, particularly freeway on-ramps.– DronzCommented Feb 28, 2017 at 19:45
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1In 20 years in California, I have never seen a hitchhiker. Don't count on getting picked up any time soon. Commented Mar 6, 2017 at 16:31
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@Malvolio have hitched in Cali :) In Los Angeles even. Although this was 16 years ago. Commented Mar 6, 2017 at 22:28
Delaware
Source: DEL CODE § 4147
New Jersey
Source: 39:4-59
Nevada
Source: NRS 484B.297
Idaho
Source: 49-709
Utah
Source: 41_04117
Note: federal laws supersede state laws, and the federal law states that the legality of hitchhiking within national parks is decided by the superintendent of that park (Source: CFR Title 36 section 4.31).
Credit: All the hard work was done by Hitchwiki, I just compiled all the references in one place.
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2Looking at the map provided by @MarkMayo, it seems Delaware should also have a provision outlawing it.– KRyanCommented Feb 28, 2017 at 19:44
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4Federal laws supersede state laws under certain conditions. The full rules for which laws supersede which is complicated, and probably worthy of a whole series of questions on Law.SE.– MarkCommented Feb 28, 2017 at 21:34
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Doesn't it just say hitchhiking is illegal on highways? I would think it was easier to catch a ride at a gas station anyway.– LenneCommented Mar 1, 2017 at 11:46
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