“The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.” – Samuel Johnson
Hitchhiking Today.
The days of just sticking your thumb out and hoping for a ride are past. With the Internet, there is a host of resources for the modern day hitchhiker. In the past 6 months as I hitchhiked around the USA, these are the websites that have helped the most. Some for advice, some for community, some for friendship, and some for inspiration. Here is a list of the websites that have been the most useful for my hitchhiking journey and why.
If you like what you see, comment and add to the conversation. Share what websites have helped you. Also, share this post with your friends whom would enjoy it.
Top 10 Websites that will help you Hitchhike (Travel Cheaply) around the USA:
10. Hitchwiki: The Hitchhikers Guide to Hitchhiking.
- Resources for the Modern Hitchhiker.
A huge resource to answer any questions you have, find places to hitch, find a partner, start a hitchhiking blog. This is a Wiki, meaning that a host of people add to this site. It is chock full of information for any would be hitchhiker.
9. WWOOF: World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms.
WWOOF: Funny old photographs, but a large resource for finding farms to work at in exchange for room and board.
Need a free place to stay? If you are willing to work, the WWOOF has a huge list of ways to connect with organic farms around the world, which offer room and board in exchange for working on their farm. Make sure if you use this site to call around at different farms as there is no set standard for what you will be doing. Know what you are getting into!
8. Gadling: Travel Blog
Gadling: An extensive travel blog.
This is a great resource for travelers. A host of writers write about traveling; how to do it cheaply and well. I signed up to Gadling’s Facebook site and I receive their articles in my Facebook news feed, choosing what applies to me.
7. YELP
Yelp: Real People, Real Reviews.
Yelp is a social network that is based around finding places like restaurants, cafes, stores, etc. wherever you are. As I am walking mostly, I use Yelp on my phone and it is very handy for finding the closest resource. Also, each business has reviews from other Yelp users to give you a sense of what the business is like. You can add your own review for others to visit as well.
6. Art of Non-Conformity: Challenging Authority since 1978.
The Art of Non-Conformity.
Chris Guillebeau has a goal of traveling to every country in the world. Currently he is well over one hundred. More than that he talks about how to live the life you dream, how to write for a blog, how to make a living as an artist, and how to take over the world. I read this for inspiration when my doubts and the doubters are getting the best of me.
5. Matador: Helpful Travel Community
Matador: A community of travelers.
Matador allows you to set up your own profile and write travel stories to help others. Or research their vast network of quality articles on traveling and alively.
4. Road Junky: World Travel Guides Online
Road Junky: Unique and Off-beat articles about travel.
Road Junky is my favorite travel advice website. It is the most off-beat and unique. Travel Tips, Culture stories, Photos, Videos, etc.
3. DigiHitch: Hitchhiking, Backpacking, and Budget Travel on the Road.
DigiHitch: Check out Hitchiking Laws, get Advice, Find Partners, and post your stories.
DigiHitch is designed specifically for hitchhikers. It is a better version of Hitchwiki. I use Digihitch to research hitchhiking laws by state and how to find good hitchhiking spots around big cities. But it is possible to share your hitchhiking stories here, get advice from seasoned hitchers, or find a hitching buddy.
2. Facebook.
Facebook: Use it and Don't Let it Use You!
Facebook although not for travelers at all, is such a resource for hitchhiking. Keep track of my old friends, correspond with new friends, meet up with a friend of a friend for a place to stay… the list goes on. Beware though! Use Facebook as a tool to better relationships and not as your only avenue! I try to use Facebook as an instrument to improve my in-person relationships and not my only way of connecting with my friends. Anyone that is against social networks should try hitchhiking around the USA. If you are on Facebook (which you are) connect with me: Here is Create Our World’s Fan Page.
1. Couchsurfing.
Couchsurfing is changing how the world travels.
Hands down the greatest traveling site ever. Because of couchsurfing, I have hundreds of new friends. I have had warm beds or couches or floors. I have learned new skills like pottery and stencil-making. I use this site everywhere I go to meet like-minded travelers and people. Plus, they have a similar mission. ”Participate in creating a better world, one couch at a time.” Couchsurfing is really the largest group of like-minded “Goodness of People” folks there are. If you are not on Couchsurfing, check it out and tell me, so we can connect.
Did I miss one? Share it! Help others by sharing your knowledge! Post it in the comments or shoot me an email and I will make sure that others see it.
Also, if you like what I am doing, make sure to share it with others! There is a big Save/Share button at the bottom of the page.
Let’s Create Our World.
Ben
“The world is a book and those who don’t travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine
