Civil Rights
Block on Trump's Asylum Ban Upheld by Supreme Court
Hitchhiking forms the backbone of American folk rock and horror films, and relies on the good intentions of drivers and hitchhikers alike. But state laws and federal regulations may prevent you from legally partaking in the American hitchhiking experience, if you're not too careful.
So is it legal to hitchhike or pick up hitchhikers? Here's a general overview:
State Laws Vary on Hitchhiking
As you might expect, the 50 states do not agree on how to regulate hitchhikers. Generally, states fall into one of three categories with respect to hitchhiking:
In any of these states, a police officer may detain and question you if he or she believes you are endangering yourself or drivers by attempting to hitch a ride.
- Legal problems eating away at your daily life? Browse FindLaw.com's Lawyer Directory for an attorney who's right for you.
Federal Regulation of Hitchhiking
There's no real federal law regulating hitchhiking on the nation's highways and byways, but if you are on federal land (likely when in a federal park) you may want to think twice about hitchhiking. Federal regulations set by the Department of the Interior plainly prohibit hitchhiking "except in designated areas" and at the federal government's discretion.
It's unclear how well this rule is enforced, but it may convince hitchhikers to be friendly to park rangers.
Picking Up Hitchhikers
There is generally no rule against picking up hitchhikers, although there may be some general danger in riding with a complete stranger. You may be picking up a friendly traveler or the next murder suspect.
Whether in a car or hitchhiking, try to be safe out on the road.
Related Resources: