Ed, Dillion and QoA are pretty much telling you the truth. Hitchhikers are very suspect here. They are hitching because they have no money, so they just might want to take yours.I used to hitchhike all over Southern California in the 1960 s and never had a problem. Hitching was my number one way of getting to the beach everyday during the summer. You were picked up by other nice people and families going to the beach as well. One thing I never did was hitchhike alone. Even in the 1960 s being alone was somewhat dangerous.Times have changed. America is a little more violent due to the increase in drugs and gangs. So my final words to you are to strongly suggest that you do not hitch.
First, you will find it hard to get around that way these days; it s not 1969 anymore. I see hitch-hikers sit by freeway on ramps waiting for hours for a lift. A lot of hitch-hikers are crazy people, so they teach you in driver training not to pick them up. In fact, hitch-hiking is illegal on some roadways. As a hitch-hiker, you also have to worry about the people who pick you up. People do occasionally end up missing or dead, especially if they re traveling alone. So I m gonna say this is not a good idea, especially at your age. If you want to see the American countryside, perhaps you should invest in an Amtrak train pass.
Kerouac s days are long gone now. You could hitchhike back then, but its not advisable now.To slip back into the year 2009 ..Watch the movie The Taken with Liam Neeson This happens to guys, as well as, to girls like in this movie. Youre very young and most people are nice ( but afraid to pick you up) and the other percent can be very wicked.
I don t really know how practical hitch-hiking is anymore. I think you re way more likely to be picked by up the police than a driver. Can t say I ve ever tried though.