Since the easiest place to sleep is usually the great outdoors, let's look at some of the things to look for in a good camp spot.
Area-wise, if you're trying to get out of town and realize the sun is going down, there's usually plenty of land along the highways and railroad tracks that's relatively overlooked by most people, and just a short ways away from you. You want to be far enough from the road that you're not likely to get hit if a car crashes; either uphill or with some sturdy trees between you and them is best. It's best if you're not visible from the road, or you might wake up to the highway patrol telling you to move along.
The area along railroad tracks (called the jungle) is usually the most private, aside from the occasional train passing by in the night. Try to stay far enough away, and/or uphill, that you won't get hit by stones or debris kicked up by trains.
If you don't have a tarp or tent, you might need to come up with some sort of shelter if it rains. Bridges and overpasses often have a ledge right under the point where they meet the road. If not, there's usually still somewhere underneath that's good enough for one night. In forests, you can always duck under pine/spruce/fir trees with lots of branches, there's usually an area around the trunk that's protected from the rain. Just make sure the branches over your head are dense enough (spruce and fir are the best for this).
Try to pick a spot where the ground will drain the rainwater away from you. If you sleep in a ditch or depression, you'll wake up in a puddle if it rains. Clear away sticks, small stones, and debris; they suck to sleep on and will poke holes in gear. Look around for animal/insect nests, dens, etc; if you see anything obvious, consider moving unless it's harmless (like a birds nest).
Look around and above you. If you see anything that looks like it will fall on you in your sleep (like dead trees) try to find somewhere better. If there's a storm coming, make sure you're not camping under any particularly tall trees; try to stay to lower ground as well, just not somewhere that will collect water.
If you happen to be in a more developed area, like the middle of the city, there are still a few places that nobody really looks. The space between bushes/hedges and fences/walls is a really good spot, just take a look to make sure you're not too visible. If you're worried about rain, the space between the rear wheels of a big-rig trailer is usually a good spot; just make sure there isn't a truck attached, and that it looks like it hasn't moved in quite a while (you don't want run over). I've met people who insist that camping on top of buildings is one of their favorite spots, but I've never done it, and can't really give any advice on it.
If you happen to be hitching and get stuck at a truck stop, there is often a small patch of woods behind the place. As long as you don't bother anyone, and aren't too visible they usually won't bother you if you camp there. The same goes for highway rest areas, as long as they're not on an island in between lanes. An added bonus to the truck stops is the availability of a warm breakfast, hot coffee, and a shower.
The number of places to crash outside is generally only limited by your creativity and experience. The best thing to do is try to spot places to sleep before the sun goes down. Some spots will look secluded and hidden at night, but be way too visible in the daylight.
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