2 BROTHERS. 2,000 MILES.
0 RIDES BOOKED.
Testing American kindness from Los Angeles to Ohio with only backpacks, thumbs out, and an open mind.
"The algorithm says be afraid. We're going to find the truth."
Route Progress Tracker
I-40 East ➔ I-44 ➔ I-70 Corridor (Launching Oct 1st)
🟡 Start Line: Los Angeles, CA
Journey starts Oct 1st
Countdown active
Ready for the highway
THE 2,000 MILE CORRIDOR
Interactive map of Interstate 40 ➔ I-44 ➔ I-70. Click any waypoint to view upcoming leg previews and roadside updates starting October 1st.
"Backpacks packed and signs painted. Launching October 1st from Los Angeles, CA to Columbus, OH!"
Waypoint Preview
"Official Start Line! Thumbs out on Santa Monica Blvd starting October 1st."
trackerConfig.json from their mobile devices.OUR JOURNEY STATS
Live numbers updated by Lee and Jake directly from the road as they hitchhike 2,000 miles across America.
Goal: 2,150 mi
Drivers, diners & roadside friends
Highway lifts & truck bed rides
Diner coffee, burgers & road snacks
Tents, couches & truck stop rests
Total personal funds spent
THE MISSION STATEMENT
"THE ALGORITHM SAYS BE AFRAID.
WE'RE GOING TO FIND THE TRUTH."
Every social media feed paints a picture of an America fractured, hostile, and afraid of one another. We are constantly conditioned by outrage algorithms to believe that strangers at the next exit are enemies.
We refuse to accept that story.
Starting October 1st, 2026, two brothers—Lee (23) and Jake (20)—are stepping into the unknown with only backpacks, thumbs out, and open minds. 2,000 miles from Los Angeles, California to Columbus, Ohio with zero booked rides, zero hotel reservations, and zero safety net.
This isn't just a road trip—it's a live sociological experiment in real-world human kindness. We are testing whether everyday Americans across truck stops, desert highways, and heartland towns are as divided as the internet makes them seem, or whether generosity, warmth, and brotherhood still thrive in the heart of our country.
MEET LEE & JAKE
Documenting every mile on YouTube, TikTok & Instagram
OUR RULES OF THE ROAD
Six non-negotiable principles that guide Lee and Jake across every mile, highway ramp, and stranger encounter.
Say yes to the unknown
Step past hesitation. When an unexpected turn or ride opens up, embrace the adventure with an open heart.
No plan is set in stone
Flexibility is our roadmap. Weather changes, detours happen, and the best moments are never scheduled.
Connection > comfort
Prioritize genuine human conversation over plush motel beds or convenient shortcuts.
Leave the place better than when you found it
Pack out litter, offer help at rest stops, and leave every diner table and campsite cleaner than before.
Go towards the story
When faced with two paths, choose the one that yields real human truth and unforgettable memories.
Give back
Never just take. Share music, lend a helping hand, buy coffee when we can, and pay every kindness forward.
OUR BUCKET LIST
The roadside experiences, truck stop conversations, and landmark goals Lee and Jake are aiming to check off across the 2,000 miles.
HITCHHIKER HOTLINE
Along the 2,000-mile route? Offer a ride, shelter, meal, recommend must-see roadside spots, or meet up with Lee and Jake!
What Are You Offering?
Submit Hotline Message
Lee & Jake receive hotline submissions directly on their phones.