Hi, I was wondering if anyone can tell me what the hitching is like in Utah and the Southwest in general. I'd particularly like to hear from people who've done it, or people from Utah. Do many people do it? Is it a generally safe state? Are the rides frequent? I've done plenty of hitching before so I'm pretty clued up on the subject. What's it like in Utah? Particularly around the National Parks. Please don't write telling me that no-one will pick me up just because you personally wouldn't pick up a hitcher. I would prefer objective opinions. Would a Kiwi flag on my pack help here? Thanks in advance for your replies. Scott.

Wow, this thing moves way too fast! Less tahn 24 hrs and this was pushed back 53 places!

This is not a hitchhiking crowd. You'd be better off posting this at lonelyplanet.com. on the thorntree.

I hitched from Salt Lake City up through the state to the Idaho border (and beyond) and it took only two rides to get there but I was advised at that time that it is generally very difficult to get rides in Utah. This experience dates back to 1975 and things could well have changed but it's unlikely. I also found Nevada to be a very difficult state in which to get rides. If the routes you plan to travel are likely to be frequented by vacationing families and retired folks with RV's, you'll find it a tough go. If the roads are ones on whihc long distance non-tourist travelers or business travelers are likely to be driving you'l have much better luck.

Hi Scott - I'm assuming that you're from NZ, since you mentioned the Kiwi flag in your post. Though I'm not 100% certain, I think that hitchkhiking is actually against the law in the States, though I doubt it's truly inforced. That being said, I would guess that most people wouldn't pick up a hitchhiker nowadays, anyway. I'll be honest and say that I wouldn't. Sad to say, my fear of something bad happening to me outweighs by natural inclination to want to stop and pick someone up. The reverse is true for me, also - I would never get into a vehicle with a stranger, but that's just me. If any "group" of people would be most friendly to hitchhickers, I would say it would be long distance truck drivers on major interstates.

Don't try it on the Interstate system-it is against the law there.

I rarely see hitchhikers anymore. As Samantha said, there's so much craziness. I know we'd never ever pick anyone up.

I did however jump into a stranger's car a couple of years ago. I was running and found myself cornered by two rotweillers (sp?) that had escaped their fenced yard! Some guy drove up, saw my predicament, tried to scare them off by honking with no success, so told me to climb in. I did, gladly! ;> Well, it was a Mercedes, which, right or wrong, helped make the decision even easier than it was.

Have never hitched myself, but I've lived in Arizona. I think hitching through the Southwest would be tough. If it is summer, it would be blazing hot in some areas. And as others have stated, it can be dangerous. I say that not as a warning (because you suggested you didn't want warnings) but because there were a few nasty hitchhike/good samaritan carjack-style murders when I was there. People got scared and became more wary of strangers on highways and rest stops. There were even a few nasty crimes in Yosemite recently. I point this out just because you should know many people will fear you because of these events. Other than truckers, finding a ride might be tough these days.

Good luck, Scott.

Hi Scott,

I don't hitch, but my brother does and actually had no trouble in Utah. It's true that you aren't allowed on the interstate.

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