hit the pavement

verb2

1. •
   To travel on foot, as on a sidewalk.

   • But getting people to hit the pavement is more than just a health concern. . . . [M]unicipalities are looking to combat inner-city decay by keeping the streets flush with pedestrians. — 2007
2. •
   To travel or begin to move in an automobile or other road vehicle.

   • And when we hit the pavement, we found we had covered the last 54 miles in an hour and twenty minutes. — 1925