Why go on a hitchhiking roadtrip?

After its heyday in the 1970s, hitchhiking has almost vanished from our roads. Yet a hitchhiking roadtrip remains one of the most intense ways to travel: you move with the flow, you rely on human connection, and the route itself becomes the story. To make the point without romanticizing it, we asked a seasoned hitchhiker to share what really happens when you travel with your thumb up—across France, Bolivia, and Australia. Expect generosity, long waits, and the kind of detours you can’t plan—even when you think you’re “just” trying to get from A to B.

Testimony from a dedicated hitchhiker, collected by Planet Ride.

A first memory: not the car, the reaction

“Like many people, what I remember most about my first hitchhiking experience isn’t the make of the car—it’s the telling-off I got from my mother when she found out. I waited until I was of age to get back on the road with my thumb in the air. From France to Australia, via Bolivia, hitchhiking is still my favorite way to travel.”

Encounters: trusting strangers (and being trusted)

“The first difficulty when you start a hitchhiking roadtrip is learning to trust people you don’t know. You can rarely choose your driver based on your tastes or your mood. For more experienced hitchhikers, the challenge can even become the opposite: getting picked up by a very specific vehicle—campervan, sidecar, motorcycle… It’s a way of ‘choosing’ your unknown person.”

“And then there are the encounters that extend your trip beyond anything you imagined. A cattle farmer who invites you to his family farm near Aurillac. A young juggler who offers dinner and a couch in downtown Rodez. These moments aren’t rare—they’re the heartbeat of the journey.”

“Once, in Bolivia, a friend and I were hitchhiking in Sucre when a taxi driver decided to take us for free. We spent a brilliant afternoon together, and Bernardino—our driver—ended up joining our trip all the way to the Uyuni salt flats. That’s over 500 km from where we met.”

“Bernardino was Bolivian but had never had the chance to see Uyuni. One call to his wife to get the green light, and we were off to one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It even gave us the rare opportunity, as tourists, to take the wheel out on the salt. The person who picks up a hitchhiker is often exceptionally generous.”

The road and the landscapes: you stop seeing “a road”

“On a hitchhiking roadtrip, the road you’re on becomes essential. In ‘normal’ travel, you barely notice it. Hitchhiking forces you to read the terrain: road signs, junctions, the direction of traffic, the places where you can chain rides without getting stuck.”

“From service stations to toll areas, you have to spot the strategic places. If you’re dropped at a toll, you need to be visible and safe. I sometimes did small street performances to catch drivers’ attention—people are often happy to decompress after a long stretch. But you always stay cautious and keep distance from moving traffic.”

“If you get stuck at a service station, make friends with the staff—often welcoming—and approach drivers after they’ve stepped out of their car, without startling them. Basic politeness, a bit of humor, and some boldness can get you a ride quickly—at least that’s my hitchhiker’s oath.”

“And of course, the highway isn’t the only option. Leave it if you want to discover hidden corners. Use highways to cover distance, and smaller country roads when you’re looking for a change of scene. Away from main roads, hitchhiking is the best way to meet locals who will gladly share the secrets of their region.”

The unexpected: long waits, sudden miracles

“A hitchhiking roadtrip is almost always a story that ends well—but the waiting can be long. You learn patience on the roadside. Sometimes a single car is enough to bring your morale back.”

“On Australia’s East Coast, my travel buddy and I once waited 8 hours without a single car stopping. We were about to give up when a huge van pulled over and finally took us in.”

“Inside, we met an Australian couple who had been traveling their own country indefinitely. They welcomed us for almost three days—in their home on wheels. We were in the right place with the right people to absorb Australia’s landscapes at the perfect pace, sharing homemade vodka with our new friends Denise and Mark.”

“Of course, hitchhiking can bring real misadventures—like anywhere. Knock on wood, but after nearly 10,000 km hitchhiking around the world, I’ve never had a bad encounter serious enough to make me stop. The best way to avoid unpleasant situations is to trust your instincts. It’s your best ally out there.”

Planet Ride pro tip (for safer rhythm)

When you plan a hitchhiking roadtrip, avoid “hero days.” In practice, 6 to 8 real hours of movement (rides + waiting) already creates fatigue and poorer judgment. Build daylight margins: arrive before dark whenever you can, especially if you might need a last-minute spot to wait safely.

Mini-guide: practical hitchhiking details that matter

• Where to stand: favor service stations, rest areas, and on-ramps where cars are already slowing and can stop legally.
• Signage helps: a clear destination on cardboard works best; choose a major junction city rather than a tiny village.
• Offline backup: download offline maps before you leave; you’ll often lose signal between valleys or on long rural stretches.
• Water + layers: waiting exposes you to wind, heat, and rain more than driving does—pack accordingly.
• Fuel reality: in remote areas, drivers may be less likely to detour; targeting “natural corridors” (main links between towns) increases chances.

FAQ

Is hitchhiking safe for a roadtrip?

It can be, but it requires discipline: choose safe stopping points, trust your instincts, and don’t accept a ride if anything feels off—no justification needed.

How long should I plan for a hitchhiking roadtrip stage?

It depends on traffic, but plan with slack. A stage that looks “short” on a map can stretch with waiting. Keeping your days flexible is part of the method.

Highways or backroads: what’s best?

Highways help you cover distance; backroads bring immersion and local encounters. Many hitchhiking roadtrips blend both: fast corridors to reposition, smaller roads to explore.

À savoir aujourd’hui

The spirit of hitchhiking—encounters, patience, and a route shaped by others—hasn’t changed. What does change is where you can stop legally and safely, especially around highway infrastructure. Before leaving, check local rules and choose meeting points (service stations, rest areas) that keep you visible and out of traffic.

— Robin Aïche for Planet Ride