Quick recap: We’re aiming to crowdsource details about epic trips, then provide the whole playbook for the experience to y’all.

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From Athens, GA to San Francisco, CA

🚶‍♂️ Who: Eli G. from Athens, GA.

☀️ Length of trip: Three months.

💬 Quick recap: I used a combination of hitchhiking and couchsurfing to make it across the US for next to nothing on a gap semester during university. I started with a friend, and a cheap bus trip to New Orleans. From there we hitched to Austin, and I stayed there a few months with some hippies. After overstaying my welcome I hit the road and grabbed a ride with an avocado trucker all the way to Los Angeles. Worked my way up the coast to a small farm I stayed at (via WWOFF) and worked at in exchange for food and board. Finally flew home after a month there.

🤔 Anything you wish you would’ve known?... Hitchhiking isn't nearly as scary as popular media would have you think! People are good!

😍 MUST dos: Say "yes" to opportunities. Pack light. Get out of the house and walk around. Keep your grooming and appearance neat. If you wait long enough anywhere, a car will eventually come that will give you a lift. Patience is key.

🙅‍♀️ Must don’ts: Read the room and don't take advantage of kind people's hospitality.

EXPENSES

✈️🚗🚆 Transportation: $300 = 1 $50 bus ticket, 1 $250 plane ticket home.

🏨⛺🏠 Lodging: $0

🏰⛷️🎫 Activities: Lots of walking. Making fun signs. Standing on the sides of on-ramps with a friendly smile.

🍔🍕🥗 Food: $300. Lots of fresh fruit, convenience store snacks, and whatever my hosts would buy me! People were so generous!!

P.S. Have your own epic trip you’d like to share? Tell us about it here for a chance to be featured in next Wednesday’s newsletter.