During the Depression, New York City store clerk Joe Riley saves money and buys a piece of land in Arizona. He is determined to become a farmer. Not having enough money for a bus ticket to Arizona, Joe decides to hitchhike there. On the way he befriends illegal immigrant Anita Santos who came to America to escape the civil war in Spain. Joe also meets hobo Tony Casselli who agrees to help Joe start his new farming business. Tony, Joe and Anita travel by freight train and run into trouble with the train conductors and railway police agents. At a hobo camp, Tony bumps into his old friend, Professor Townsend Thayer who joins them and contributes his life experience and wisdom to the group. But their fellowship runs into trouble with a group of hobos led by a ruffian named Hunk. To make matters worse, the police is looking for Anita on an immigration charge. Into a small town, they run into law-and-order Sheriff Clem Diggers who becomes suspicious of them and especially of Anita. Low on money and food, the group of unlikely friends must resort to stealing food and clothing. Arizona seems as far as ever.