Not every driver feels inclined to pick up stinky, sweaty, and dirty hikers on the roadside—and rightfully so. Therefore, the brave souls who do pull over and offer a lift deserve your gratitude.It behooves hitchhikers to be on their best behavior and remember their manners when thumbing for a ride.

To improve your chances of getting picked up and having a pleasant experience, we talked to Pacific Crest Trail thru-hiker and and Outside social media strategist David “Zookeeper” Gleisner for his best hitchhiking etiquette tips, from rolling down the windows to offering a few bucks for gas money.

Consider Your Group Size

Many hikers feel more comfortable hitching a ride in a group, either with their tramily or other hikers, rather than solo. As Gleisner points out, there’s safety in numbers. Just keep in mind that drivers often only have a few empty seats to spare. Groups of two to four people are going to have an easier time finding a ride, and groups any larger will likely have to split up.

Another etiquette point to consider is what to do when you come across another group of hitchhikers on the roadside. It’s frowned upon in the hiking community to stand right next to them on the curb because the more people, the less likely someone will stop. They were there first: “Go say hi and be friendly, but you should probably keep walking and find your own space,” Gleisner says.

Make Yourself Visible

Mountain passes, with their curves, high speed limits, and blind corners, aren’t ideal spots for hitchhiking. You might have to walk a ways to find a pullout or wide shoulder that’s safer for traffic to pull over. And hitchhiking at night is ill-advised for visibility and safety reasons.  “Make sure there are pretty long sightlines, and that people can see you for a while,” Gleisner says.

Many hikers create signs out of cardboard, tarps, sleeping pads, or groundsheets. The general “hiker looking for a ride” is a classic message to communicate who you are and what you need.

Another way to hitchhike and absolutely ensure visibility is in a parking lot or at a trailhead. As Liz “Snorkel” Thomas wrote, “It’s a lot easier to ask someone who is outside of their car for a ride than to flag down a vehicle moving at 60 miles per hour.”

Consolidate Your Stuff

Luckily most of your stuff is already contained in your pack. The exceptions are trekking poles and anything you dig out while waiting for a ride—like snacks or your first aid kit to wrap a blister. Even before you stick out your thumb, Gleisner suggests strapping and securing any loose items to your pack. This will make it easier to get in and out of the driver’s vehicle. “You don’t want to make a mess of their car and also you don’t want to leave stuff behind,” Gleisner says.

Clearly Communicate Directions

Once someone pulls over, clearly share where you’re going and where you want to be dropped off to avoid getting too far off-track or having to double hitch. Study your maps to learn major intersections and possible drop-off areas.

Roll Down the Windows

PSA: If you’ve been on the trail for a while, you stink, and even a quick wipe beforehand won’t get rid of your BO. If the driver doesn’t already roll down their windows—they might not want to offend you—ask them if you can crack a window so you can air out your pits. All of you will appreciate the circulation of fresh air.

Keep the Conversation Friendly

Drivers who stop for hitchhikers are generally curious about thru-hiking, and you can expect them to be chatty and ask you questions about your journey. Some people might go off on weird tangents or rants though in most cases, friendly conversation will come naturally. Gleisner says to hop in the passenger seat prepared with some tales from the trail. “I don’t think most thru hikers have trouble with storytelling,” he adds. “We all have plenty of stories to tell.” Of course, if someone is asking questions that seem invasive or make you feel uncomfortable, you can be vague with your answers and guide the conversation back to the trail.

Offer to Chip in Gas Money

A shuttle is a service; picking up hitchhikers is a favor. Drivers usually don’t expect anything in return, Gleisner says, but along the PCT he would always offer a small amount of cash to express his gratitude at the end of the ride. Offering in the beginning makes it feel like an obligation whereas at the end feels more natural. “As you’re approaching your drop-off point, just be like, ‘Thank you so much. Here, I can chip in some money for gas,’ before offering some cash” Gleisner says. Most drivers decline, but it’s always a nice gesture and builds goodwill.

Know the Laws

Hitchhiking is legal in all but these six states: Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. And riding in the bed of a truck, a common mode of hiker transport, is illegal in many places. There are other types of restrictions depending on the area, but even with those in place, it’s up to you and the driver to decide if you feel comfortable chancing it, Gleisner says.

Trust Your Gut

Should you get a funny feeling about a driver either before or during a ride, feel free to wait for the next car or ask to get dropped off early. Your safety—and the safety of your group, if you’re traveling with buddies—is paramount. Hitchhiking is generally safe, but caution is still wise.