New York State
New York State is a Northeastern State in the United States. Hitchhiking is generally easy and pleasant. In the winter, make sure to dress warm and have alternate transportation plans if you get too cold.
Contents
Legality
It's legal to hitchhike in New York State (excluding the Thruway) so long as you don't stand in the traffic lanes.
It is definitely illegal to hitchhike on any part of the New York State Thruway including the on ramp and the service area !
§ 102.4 Hitchhiking; loitering. The solicitation of a ride, commonly known as hitchhiking, or stopping any vehicle for the purpose of picking up or discharging a hitchhiker, on any portion of the Thruway system, including toll plazas, is prohibited. Loitering in or about the toll plazas or any other portion of the Thruway system, for the purpose of hitchhiking or for any other purpose, is prohibited.
There is a good article on digihitch which explains the legality of hitchhiking in New York.
Cities
I-90
The Thruway is a toll road running across the state. Although many cars have electronic toll cards (EZPass), its still possible to get picked up at the toll booths, although this is illegal (see above).
Rochester
Local hitchhiking along busy roads works well. For longer distances, most of the busy roads in town turn into highways in the country and will get you slowly towards your destination. For fast but less scenic trips, take the interstate:
- To go east: stand on the 490 on ramp on Monroe Ave.
Border on the I-87 ("Champlain-Lacolle")
Try to get a ride on the Canadian side. Forget about hitching on the other side of the border, like you would do in civilized countries. Once you're taken by American customs personnel you can't walk back. They will be very confused and your best bet is that someone tells you to walk to the truck stop at Exit 43. There are also some gas stations at Exit 42, which is not far. It's not unheard of for a U.S. Border Patrol agent to drive you to the ramp off Exit 42 which is a dynamite place to hitch south.
Saying that, since Champlain-Lacolle crossing is such a bastard, most locals avoid it. You can too by using the more civilized alternative at Overton Corners (about 2 miles east).
To get there, follow Exit 42 to US-11 and head east about 2 miles. Past the shopping centers, there's a small green sign that says "Lacolle 7". This is NYS Route 276. It's then another mile north to the border which links to Quebec Route 221. Guards (on both sides of this border) are much more chill than at Champlain-Lacolle.
Erie Canal
New York State sports several long-distance canals, which were major thoroughfares for barge traffic in the early 20th century. Today the New York State Canal System is still maintained, though mainly now for pleasure cruising rather than commerce. I've heard mention of folks "hitchhiking" on canal boats--does anyone have any stories about this?
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