We use cookies and other tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience. If you continue to use our site, you agree to the use of such cookies. For more info, see our privacy policy.
Skip to main content

Hi. We love you. Be our Life Partner.

Support the show to get ad-free listening, bonus content, and our new Greatest Hits Archive.

Learn more
This American Life Partners logo
00:00
00:00
  • Transcript
  • Share
This American Life
  • Life Partners
  • How to Listen
  • Episodes
  • Recommended
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Announcements
    • Fellowships
    • Jobs
    • Music
    • Make Radio
    • On The Road
    • FAQ
    • Submissions
    • Merch
    • Contact Us
    • Our Other Shows
  • Merch
  • Follow Us
  • Life Partners
Full episode
494: Hit the Road

Prologue

  • Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe in Apple Podcasts
  • Transcript

Andrew Forsthoefel sets out to do something that usually doesn't work as a radio story. After losing a job, he decided to try walking across America from his home in Philadelphia all the way to the Pacific. And he made it. 4,000 miles, talking to people he met along the way. (4 min)

By

Jay Allison

Song:

“The Streets Are Ours Tonight” by Richard Hawley

More in Travel

View all
494: Hit the Road
May 3, 2013

Act One: The Slowest Distance Between Two Points

Andrew Forsthoefel's story continues.
483: Self-Improvement Kick
Jan. 4, 2013

Act One: Is that a Compass, a Map, a Toothbrush and a Bottle of Purell in Your Pocket, or Are You Just Happy To See Me?

Elna Baker tells a story about her friend Daryl Watson.
477: Getting Away With It
Oct. 19, 2012

Act Three: Crime and Tutus

Molly Shannon tells the story of when she and a friend evaded a whole lot of adults to travel half-way across the country, despite the fact that they were twelve years old and wearing tutus.

More by Jay Allison

View all
802: Father's Day
June 16, 2023

Act Three: The Moment Dad Left

Audio artist Jay Allison and writer Dan Robb present an audio montage on the moment Robb’s parents divorced.
494: Hit the Road
May 3, 2013

Act One: The Slowest Distance Between Two Points

Andrew Forsthoefel's story continues.
409: Held Hostage
June 4, 2010

Act One: Captive Audience

So much kidnapping happens in Colombia that the biggest radio station in the country has a show aimed specifically at an audience of kidnapping victims.
This American Life

This American Life is produced in collaboration with WBEZ Chicago and delivered to stations by PRX The Public Radio Exchange.

  • How to Listen
  • Episodes
  • Recommended
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Announcements
    • Fellowships
    • Jobs
    • Music
    • Make Radio
    • On The Road
    • FAQ
    • Submissions
    • Merch
    • Contact Us
    • Our Other Shows
  • Merch
  • Contact
  • Life Partners
  • Serial
  • S-Town
© 1995 - 2025 This American Life Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Subscribe

  • on Spotify
  • in Apple Podcasts

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email