German student hitchhiking across US with empty pockets

CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) - He’s not doing it for a reason. He’s not trying to bring awareness to a cause. He’s not even asking for attention.

He just wanted to do it.

A challenge is putting it lightly.

Because Paul Jonas, a 22 year old student from Germany , wanted to explore our country in a way that few others have.

2,906 miles – the distance between San Francisco and New York - he’s hitchhiking the entire way without a dime in his pocket just to prove that he can.

When FOX 32 News spoke to Paul in Chicago, it was day 23 of his journey.

Armed with a backpack full of emergency gear and a sign that simply says “east,” he was spending a few days in our city before moving on.

His journey is meticulously mapped out; he plans on being in New York City on day 32.

He’s doing it without money, relying entirely on the kindness of strangers.

It’s a testament to the age we live in, while he has no money, he does keep a cell phone on him. He admits that while you don’t need currency to cross the country, you’d be stupid to go without a phone.

As of this airing, Paul has already moved on from Chicago with just a few days left before he reaches his final destination

He wants to do it again next year, maybe take a different path and explore more of the amazing cities our beautiful country has to offer.

Because you’ve never had to be an American to take the ultimate American adventure - just have your eyes open, your wits about you and your cell phone fully charged.