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Hitchhiking Month throughout July celebrates the timeless spirit of open-road adventure and relying on the kindness of strangers. This month encourages travelers to explore the world, connect with new people, and embrace the journey. Discover the history of this unique travel method, learn essential safety tips, and find creative ways to experience the freedom of the road.
Want to sponsor Hitchhiking Month? Learn how
Expected Hitchhiking Month Deals
While specific ‘hitchhiking deals’ are rare, July’s Hitchhiking Month often sees brands in the outdoor and travel sectors offering promotions on essential gear. Look for sales from REI, Osprey, and Patagonia on backpacks, camping equipment, and durable apparel. Navigation apps like Waze and Google Maps may highlight new features for long-distance travel. Car rental services like Enterprise or ride-sharing apps like Uber could offer discounts as alternatives for those not quite ready to thumb a ride. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as July approaches.
Platform Guide for Hitchhiking Month
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #HitchhikingMonth. Share short-form videos of scenic routes, travel hacks, or interviews with fellow adventurers.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #HitchhikingMonth. Post stunning photos of landscapes encountered on your travels or tips for packing light and smart.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #HitchhikingMonth. Share real-time travel updates, safety advice, or engage in discussions about the future of alternative travel.
Hitchhiking Month Hero
Jack Kerouac
History of Hitchhiking Month
Looking up the definition of hitchhiking, you will get different variations of the same basic concept; the act of traveling by asking others to drive you or by standing by the side of the road and holding out your thumb, signaling that you need a ride.
For nomads, hitchhiking was, and still is, their primary mode of transportation to better parts of a country. This inspiration spread out from nomads to millions of people around the world. However, unfortunately, although some people succeeded, some ended up in dangerous situations. In truth, increasing crime rates made the age-old act of hitchhiking decline in popularity in recent years. Nonetheless, in some communities, it is the only option of travel they can afford.
Naturally, climbing into a stranger’s car has not always been such a gamble. Society has embraced hitchhiking for years. In the U.S., it is still a popular means of transport, especially for the poorer, less privileged members of society. But many young people and backpackers have tried to reignite this tradition, although it’s not always permitted. For example, hitchhiking is not illegal in most states of the U.S., but this isn’t the case for parts of Italy and the United Kingdom, for instance.
Gypsies, nomads, and tramps have hitchhiked across the U.S. for centuries, and have been honored in books and films as a celebration of being free from society’s constraints and the mundane pressures of life. Think about the movie “Into the Wild” and the book “Driving with Strangers” for example. And in 2020, Americans nominated July as the Hitchhiking Month through social media and other online platforms.
Hitchhiking Month timeline
In New Jersey, a hitchhiker is captured and imprisoned, making the American Civil Liberties Union intervene to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in the United States.
During the Vietnam War, drivers start tapping on the vehicles’ roofs to inform hitchhiking soldiers that their vehicle is at full capacity.
Sean Penn’s film, “Into the Wild,” premieres as a celebration of the life of Christopher McCandless, a young graduate who renounced his possessions and hitchhiked across America.
A national report states that since the 1970s, there has been a decrease in hitchhiking in the United States, which has been attributed to lower air travel costs, a better economy, and more reliable cars.
Hitchhiking Month becomes an online movement and is established to honor the act of traveling in cars with strangers.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Hitchhiking Month
Local businesses can embrace Hitchhiking Month by offering services that support budget travelers and adventurers. Outdoor gear shops can host workshops on packing efficiently or basic road safety. Cafes and diners along major routes could offer ‘traveler’s specials’ or provide community boards for ride-sharing information. Automotive repair shops might offer discounted pre-trip vehicle checks for those planning long drives, indirectly supporting the spirit of the open road for both drivers and potential hitchhikers.
Hitchhiking Month FAQs
When is Hitchhiking Month?
Hitchhiking Month runs throughout July 2026, offering a full 31 days to celebrate the spirit of open-road travel. It’s an ideal time for adventurers to consider new ways of exploring.
Is hitchhiking legal in the U.S.?
The legality of hitchhiking in the U.S. varies significantly by state and even by local jurisdiction. While it’s generally legal in some states, it’s often prohibited on interstate highways or in specific cities. Always check local laws before attempting to hitchhike.
What are the safest places for hitchhiking?
While safety is never guaranteed, some regions are generally considered safer due to cultural norms and lower crime rates. Countries in Western Europe, New Zealand, and parts of Canada often have a more accepting attitude towards hitchhiking, though individual experiences can vary.
What essentials should you pack for a hitchhiking trip?
For a hitchhiking trip, essentials include a durable backpack, water bottle, basic first-aid kit, non-perishable snacks, a map or GPS device, and a fully charged phone. Always carry identification and some emergency cash.
Hitchhiking Month Activities
Hitchhike to work
As a change of pace, hitchhike to work one morning to experience the thrill of relying on a stranger to get to your destination. Think of it as a free Uber, unless said stranger is the kind that asks you to help pay for gas. You’ll make new friends and possibly repay them one day. Please exercise caution to avoid any danger. Be aware of your surroundings and tell a friend where you are going.
Give a stranger a ride
Every morning, you see them on the way to work, people standing next to the road or at bus stops needing to reach their destinations. Why don’t you pull over and offer someone a ride to their work or the grocery store? Random acts of kindness are highly favored and can come back to reward you down the line. However, again, please exercise caution. Make sure you can seek help or stop next to the road for assistance if you pick up someone who becomes volatile or dangerous while in transit. Safety first.
Sponsor someone’s trip
Find out if any young people in your community want to hitchhike to travel the country and offer to pay for their trip, so they don’t have to go out of their way to find reliable strangers and safe routes. In a way, you are still giving them freedom, just like hitchhiking, just with some more stability and financial assistance — no harm in helping someone see their country.
5 Essential Hitchhiking Tips
Offer to pay for gas
Upon entering their car, offer your driver some cash to pay for the gas as a sign of goodwill.
Be kind
Someone has offered to help you get to where you need to be, probably for free, so treat them with kindness and be a polite guest.
Travel with a sign
Telling people what your destination is before they stop to help you is a great way to find someone traveling the same way.
Speak to people at gas stations
Get some information from the locals and find the best spots to look for a ride.
Pick your spot wisely
You don’t want to inconvenience anyone, so pick a spot with ample room next to the road for someone to pull over.
Why We Love Hitchhiking Month
It encourages people to travel locally
People already travel abroad to see different countries, cities, and cultures they haven’t seen before. Hitchhiking, by the same token, is a great way to discover new places you never knew existed in your backyard, i.e., the country you live in. Not to mention, of course, your country is the safest place for hitchhiking. Traveling and learning about your home is a great way to get to know communities and observe your country’s natural beauty.
It restores our faith in humanity
Yes, many people will not pull over to help strangers travel, but there are those individuals who will take the time to find out where you are going and possibly offer you a free ride. Even if it’s not free, if you pay them some money or just cover the gas bill, they will generally take care of you, which is more than enough. We love how Hitchhiking Month highlights the spirit of mutual kindness among people in a community.
Hitchhiking is making a comeback
For years hitchhiking has been declining all over the world. However, in the United States, for example, young people are doing what they can to revive it. Many young adults don’t know what they want to do after school, so they hitchhike in pairs or with a group of friends through the country or abroad. Backpacking has helped bring back this age-old tradition, giving it a popularity boost in recent years.
Social Media Tips for Hitchhiking Month
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