# How do people who walk across country do it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 8, 2011, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-who-walk-across-country-do-it/584767 "2011-06-08T19:09:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-who-walk-across-country-do-it/584767/21 "2011-06-09T16:15:40Z")
Why would low-traffic back roads be dangerous? And similarly, why would it be hard to avoid big cities? ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-who-walk-across-country-do-it/584767/22 "2011-06-09T16:30:09Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Why would low-traffic back roads be dangerous? And similarly, why would it be hard to avoid big cities? Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if low-traffic back roads aren’t among the most dangerous for pedestrians. The ones I am familiar with, at least, are often completely shoulder-less with deep ditches on either side, steep banked turns, and locals who drive like bats out of hell because they know them so well. I mean, I am sure more people get hit in crowded suburbs, but there are a lot more people and a lot more cars. I bet if you take into account the population/traffic, back roads are the worst, or close to it. ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-who-walk-across-country-do-it/584767/23 "2011-06-09T18:18:12Z")
You walk on the road on the “wrong” (left in North America) side so that you can see oncoming traffic and step off the road as needed. Don’t stare at your feet, keep your chin up and pay attention. Wear a reflective vest or arm/leg bands at night. Bicycling is much more dangerous, because all the traffic is coming from your six. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-who-walk-across-country-do-it/584767/24 "2011-06-09T19:56:03Z")
One of these days I’m going to walk from Disneyland (in Anaheim) to Disneyworld (in Orlando). ~3000 miles, across desert, mountains, swamps, etc. Anyone want to sponsor me? 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Politzania](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ab097/32.png) [@Politzania](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Politzania)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-who-walk-across-country-do-it/584767/25 "2011-06-09T20:02:53Z")
A friend of mine is currently walking from Tucson AZ to Grand Rapids MI - and webcasting along the way. She’s mapped out a route and is using social networking to find people to stay with along the way. Check out [www.walkinghomestories.com](http://www.walkinghomestories.com) for more info. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-who-walk-across-country-do-it/584767/26 "2011-06-09T20:05:39Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > One of these days I’m going to walk from Disneyland (in Anaheim) to Disneyworld (in Orlando). ~3000 miles, across desert, mountains, swamps, etc. > > Anyone want to sponsor me? 🆒 That’s goofy. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-who-walk-across-country-do-it/584767/27 "2011-06-09T20:14:03Z")
Here’s a guy who did it last year and blogged about it the whole way. It makes for a pretty interesting read. [I’m Just Walkin’](http://imjustwalkin.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-who-walk-across-country-do-it/584767/28 "2011-06-09T20:15:11Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > One of these days I’m going to walk from Disneyland (in Anaheim) to Disneyworld (in Orlando). ~3000 miles, across desert, mountains, swamps, etc. > > Anyone want to sponsor me? 🆒 No, but I’d consider joining you 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Rusalka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecd19e/32.png) [@Rusalka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rusalka)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-who-walk-across-country-do-it/584767/29 "2011-06-09T23:16:52Z")
> [@Susanann](#): > > Pedestrians are not allowed on interstate highways, and pedestrians are also prohibited on all other freeways/expressways/major highways. > > A walker might have to detour quite a ways in order to find a back road with a shoulder that parallels an interstate highway. The OP didn’t say you MUST walk on interstate highways and freeways. Of course a hiker would just avoid those. It is not difficult at all to do that. I’m surprised people think it is. If I were walking cross country I’d stay as far from major highways as possible. I guess the idea that all that’s out there are those dangerous highways comes from our car-dependent culture. Venture off the beaten path once in a while! ---
**Author:** ![Rusalka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecd19e/32.png) [@Rusalka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rusalka)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-who-walk-across-country-do-it/584767/30 "2011-06-09T23:25:24Z")
> [@by-tor](#): > > Rusalka, I don’t know, I just occasionally hear about people who walk across the US. I didn’t realize that there is a trail that goes all the way across more or less. [http://www.discoverytrail.org/](http://www.discoverytrail.org/) Walking along back-roads, as some do, sounds incredibly dangerous to me. It’s not dangerous at all. The back roads are picked for lack of traffic. You could walk an hour and not see anyone on certain roads. I’ve walked and biked back roads a bit, in different rural areas, and it’s mostly pleasant. You just stop when you hear a car coming if you’re worried. A lot of long distance “trails” use back roads as connectors when a real footpath isn’t available. The “Grand Illinois Trail” is one example of a long distance hiking/biking path that uses back roads for this purpose. I’ve biked parts of it and it’s not a big deal. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-who-walk-across-country-do-it/584767/31 "2011-06-10T00:06:16Z")
> [@cjepson](#): > > But only if no one will be watching them. So take the long and… [or] Take the long way home ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-who-walk-across-country-do-it/584767/32 "2011-06-10T00:08:49Z")
The’ve specially made boots ::mods get hook ready backstage:: ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-who-walk-across-country-do-it/584767/33 "2011-06-10T01:56:48Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > One of these days I’m going to walk from Disneyland (in Anaheim) to Disneyworld (in Orlando). ~3000 miles, across desert, mountains, swamps, etc. > > Anyone want to sponsor me? 🆒 But what would you do after, to celebrate? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-who-walk-across-country-do-it/584767/34 "2011-06-10T02:31:20Z")
> [@](#): > > But what would you do after, to celebrate? Fly to France to go to EuroDisney. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-who-walk-across-country-do-it/584767/35 "2011-06-10T17:19:06Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Fly to France to go to EuroDisney. Nah. I’m hoping that by then, the long-awaited Miami-to-Barcelona bridge will be up and running, and I’ll just walk there. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-who-walk-across-country-do-it/584767/36 "2011-06-10T17:40:31Z")
> [@by-tor](#): > > What do they do when it is pouring down? IME, get wet. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-who-walk-across-country-do-it/584767.md?page=1)