Is it legal to hitchhike or pick up hitchhikers?

Question

I just want to let you know up front that I do not plan to either hitchhike or pick up any hitchhikers.

The reason I ask is because I live in a small town in Illinois with three truck stops and thousands of trucks go through my town everyday. I see hitchhikers standing by the ramps all the time and wonder if it is even legal for them to stand there or to hitchhike at all. And is it legal for trucks (or cars) to pick them up?

Answer 1

In most states you can´t hitch from the interstates (motorways) themselves, but you can always stand on the onramp (entry ramp) like in Europe. In a select few areas (such as certain towns or municipal areas) hitching is illegal everywhere, however de facto it is still allowed.

The police in a region may interpret laws related to hitchhiking differently, at times forcing a hitchhiker to choose an alternate route by walking or other transportation. In most cases, though, hitchhiking is legal or tolerated as long as you are not on the interstate itself, where it is rightly considered a safety issue.

There are also many limited-access highways (i.e. with on ramps and off ramps) that are not part of the interstate system; these typically prohibit hitchhiking as well (other than at the on ramp).

http://hitchhiking.wikia.com/wiki/United...

Answer 2

I don't think it is illegal except on interstates. get used to it with the price of gas the way it is.

Answer 3

it depends on the state in you are in some states

prohiit at all costs other only on the interstate freeways

but in any case its can be dangerous as you could

get robbed by the person you are picking up or

the hitchhitcher could end up robbing you and carjacking your car or truck

so its  not a very safe way to travel

I also found this for Illinois

5/11-1006 Sec. 11-1006 Pedestrians soliciting rides or business.

(a) No person shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride from the driver of any vehicle.

Answer 4

h**l in the summer time here theres always hitch hikers.. its illegal to hitch hike on the interstates... SO i'm not sure that its not illegal but it don't seem to stop em..

you can ask your local police department if you really want to know? good luck

Answer 5

Yes, in most of the US states it is illegal to hitchhike, and/or p/u hitchhikers. PLus it is very dangerous to do so. Unless its a little blue haired old lady, then you might be safe.