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{{Infobox Location|country = United States|map = <map lat='31.541089879585808' lng='-99.2724609375' zoom='5' view/>|pop ='0' float27,695,284 (2015)|plate ='right'/>TEXAS'''Texas''' is a state of the |motorways = [[I-10]], [[I-20]], [[I-30]], [[I-40]], [[I-27]], [[I-35]], [[I-37]], [[United States of AmericaI-45]]. }}
'''Texas can be a little more difficult than the national average for hitchhiking. Texans can often be individualists, meaning they will often see your lack of a vehicle as a personal failure. However, in addition to having an individualist culture, Texans also tend to be notoriously friendly and laid-back. "Southern Hospitality" lives, if you're willing to engage your rides regardless of their accents, their political ideologies, or whatever nonsense may be pasted on their bumpers.<p> Texas '' is a massive state, with many of its residents having migrated from other states. Thus it is impossible to state anything "typical" of it. Additionally, there are many immigrants from Mexico, from whom you will receive many rides. The casual kindness of Mexicans can often be your salvation, and they'll just throw you in the back [[United States of the pickup without a second thought- I think this is because hitchhiking is common in MexicoAmerica]].
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== Roads ==
=== Shoulders ===
Very wide shoulders are built along the side of almost all highways, making it easy for people to pull over. [[Texas]] has some of the most abundant shoulders in the country.
=== Interchanges ===
[[split-traffic interchange|Split-traffic interchanges]] are unfortunately often found in the more urban areas of the central and eastern parts of the state, but are not common outside major metropolitan areas.
== Law ==
=== Statute ===
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.552.htm
Chapter 552.007. SOLICITATION BY PEDESTRIANS. (a) A person may not stand in a roadway ''(see definition below)'' to solicit a ride, contribution, employment, or business from an occupant of a vehicle, except that a person may stand in a roadway to solicit a charitable contribution if authorized to do so by the local authority having jurisdiction over the roadway.
Chapter 552.0071 For purposes of a solicitation under Subsection (a), a roadway is defined to include the roadbed, shoulder, median, curbs, safety zones, sidewalks, and utility easements located adjacent to or near the roadway.
Although the previous version of this paragraph claimed the opposite, the above statute clearly states that hitchhiking in the state of Texas is illegal. In practice however, law enforcement in the state typically leave hitchhikers alone. As long as you aren't obstructing traffic or doing anything unsafe, you should be ok.
=== Pedestrian Rights ===
Pedestrian rights in [[Texas]] are among the friendliest in the country. Pedestrians are allowed on virtually every single road in [[Texas]] including interstates, with the exception of a few busy urban corridors. This makes Texas one of the few states where you can actually stand right on the side of the Interstate with your thumb out.
=== Federal Districts ===
'''Note''':All land regulated by the National Park service prohibits hitchhiking under the Code of Federal Regulations
Title 36 section 4.31: Hitchhiking or soliciting transportation is prohibited
''except in designated areas and under conditions established by the superintendent.''
*Big Bend National Park
4.31 has not been amended here, so hitchhiking is prohibited.
== Experiences ==
:''I've hitched too much of Texas too many times and ridden freight through as well. Your experience is really going to depend on gender, appearance, size of party, critters, etc. Friends and I have joked that people in Texas would rather give you money than a ride.''
:''Generally speaking, I've seen enough of the onramps along I-35 (no room to pull over) and Ft Worth cops. . Megabus is still cheap in TX in 2013, I would take it anywhere between the Ft Worth-Dallas metroplex and San Antonio. If you're a scruffy guy and comfortable with freight, the Sunset is an easier option than hitching I-10.'' -Shannon
=== Cities ===
* [[Austin (Texas)|Austin]]
* [[Dallas Abeline (Texas)|Abeline]]* [[Dallas]]
* [[El Paso (Texas)|El Paso]]
* [[Houston (Texas)|Houston]]
* [[Laredo]]
* [[San Antonio (Texas)|San Antonio]]
* [[Midland/Odessa (Texas)|Midland/Odessa]]* [[Amarillo]]* [[Waco (Texas)|Waco]] 2023, November. From New Mexico to Louisiana, across the panhandle, along I-20, through DFW. Long waits. In my experience many truckers would not give rides out due to insurance reasons, the ones who were willing were not going east like me. So keep that in mind, although it may be different for you. Walking along the interstate, hitchin' is fine, just pray for a Mexican guy on his way to work to save you, they're practically the patron saint of hitchhikers in Texas, dudes called Jésus, Herman or Diego. They give out a LOTTA money here. $120 for me, in two separate occasions. Folks are honest and friendly at gas stations. I experienced racism as an Asian male in East Texas, specifically near Tyler. Someone called the police on my hitchhiking, but he let me off without a ticket and gave me a ride. Nice guy. == External links ==* [[wikipedia:Texas|Wikipedia]]* [[trash:Texas|Trashwiki]]* [[nomad:Texas|Nomadwiki]]
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