What we need is an app that matches up hitchhikers and drivers.

The idea is: if I'm trying to get someplace, and don't have a car, and
public transit is a pain; I can see if someone is driving more or less
from where I am to more or less where I want to go.

I'd run the app, tell it where I want to go, and how much I'd be
willing to pay (most of this money would go to the driver).  It'd tell
me which drivers were willing to take me, and would show me details
about them that would reduce my fear of them kidnapping, robbing,
whatever me.  (The drivers would see similar information about me.)

I win because I get where I'm going faster than I otherwise would.
The driver wins because he gets a few extra $.  The app people win
because they get a cut of the $, or an annual subscription, or the
ability to shove ads at all the participants.

Last time I checked, there were apps vaguely like this in Europe, but
I've never seen one in the US.