The 127 Yard Sale is Longer Than the Great Wall of China

If you’re into yard sales, we might have one worth traveling for. This one happens once a year and covers six states. It’s 690 miles long and runs through Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan. It’s called the 127 Yard Sale, and we’ve got all the details so you can plan your trip. It's not a yard sale for the weak, so plan to invest significant time hunting for hidden treasures because like the saying goes: One person's trash is another person's treasure.

How It Started

The yard sale was created by a resident of Jamestown, Tennessee, who wanted to expand tourism throughout the state. The goal was to send tourists through smaller, more scenic highways rather than the large interstates so they could see the entire state. It started in 1987 and originally ran from Covington, Kentucky, to Chattanooga, Tennessee. It’s not called the 127 Yard Sale because of its length though. The path runs down Highway US 127. 

What to Expect

The sale runs the first weekend in August, from Thursday to Sunday. Addison, Michigan is considered the unofficial starting point, but you can choose where to start depending on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for variety, you’ll get many vendors from different states if you start in Addison. You can also beat the crowds and get the most out of the scenic drive if you start at the beginning, and the sale ends in Gadsden, Alabama. 

It’s easy to become a vendor for the sale, so you’ll find a huge variety of items along the route. Anyone can become a vendor if they sell items in their business or home, or in a designated vendor space. Some communities have areas in the city where vendors set up booths. This means that you can find almost anything, but you’ll have to be in shopping mode to find the things you want. 

Vendors sell things like furniture, electronics, jewelry and watches, computers, musical instruments, sporting goods, tools, and farm implements. They also sell simple things like clothing, toys, and food. You can find vintage, rare items when digging through the arts and crafts, antiques and collectibles, and glassware sections. Most vendors are open from 8 AM to 5 PM so there is a consistent schedule for shoppers.

The sale planners also offer merchandise like tank tops, t-shirts, mugs, and hats. You can shop on their website if you want to support the efforts of the organizers.

How to Plan Your Route

Start with a printable map you can find on this site, and decide where you want to start. The website also lists Major Vendor Stops in each state, which are sites where there are more than 25 vendors in one spot. Determine which sites are most important for you to hit, and that will help you start your route planning.

Don’t forget that you’ll need lodging along the way. Shoppers can stay in vacation rentals, hotels and motels, RV parks, and campgrounds. It may be a good idea to plan your lodging in a place where you want to spend some extra time shopping, as most sellers will stay open as long as there are shoppers interested in their goods.

The site has an interactive map that allows you to find places to stay and where to eat. One of the best parts of the sale is the food along the route. Try out the local food and drink places so you get the full experience of the small towns and cities. The website has a list of coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, desserts, and ice cream shops.

What You Should Bring

If you’re not a yard sale veteran and are just getting started, we have a few tips regarding what to pack so you can maximize your time on the route. It’s summer in the south, so don’t underestimate the heat. Start with a cooler to stay hydrated as you go in and out of the car all day. At night when you stop, refill the cooler with ice and drinks.

Add snacks to your bags! A lot of the sites are off the beaten path, meaning there may be a stretch where you can’t stop for food or snacks. If you’re trying to get a bunch of stops in, add snacks like granola bars, chips, pretzels, fruit, and vegetables. That way you can assuage your hunger between stops.

Travel as light as possible so you have space for your treasures! Again, summer in the south is hot and humid, so don’t try to wear clothing more than once. After a day of travel and getting in and out of the car, your clothes are going to be dirty and you’ll want to wash them before wearing them again. Bring a laundry bag to put dirty clothes in to make packing easier. If you’re in a hotel, ask if they have a washer and dryer so you can wash your clothes if you’d like to. Come prepared for chilly evenings in some places with a sweatshirt, light jacket, or long-sleeve shirt.

Don’t forget a hat and sunscreen. Most of the sites are outdoors, and the sun can be brutal. Bring tissues and flushable wipes to stay clean when port-a-potties are your only options. By the end of the sale, toilet paper may be scarce, so anything you have to use will make your trip much more comfortable. Include hand sanitizer and hand wipes to stop the germs before they get out of control. Remember that thousands of other people are touching the same items you are and cleaning your hands is the best way to ward off illness.

Print off your route map for the 127 Yard Sale, but don’t forget a GPS device, in your car or on your phone. You may travel through areas without good cell service, so find something that works despite that. Add mini trash bags to keep your car tidy while you travel from site to site. Whether the forecast predicts rain or not, bring a poncho. You’d rather be caught with one than without one.

Bring a tote or packing materials to separate the items you buy. Include newspaper or bubble wrap to protect fragile items. If you plan to buy furniture, bringing a few old blankets to cover the items is a good idea. Bring a Phillips head and flathead screwdriver in case you need to take something apart to get it into your car. If you’re worried about fighting for special items, you may also need a first aid kit. We’re joking, of course, but it never hurts to be prepared with an anti-bacterial cleanser and bandages.

Finally, don’t forget cash! Most vendors prefer cash and there are many areas where ATMs are few and far between. Bring plenty of small bills, and budget what you plan to spend before you get started.

Fun Finds at the 127 Yard Sale

If you aren’t sure you want to go, consider some of the fun things people have found over the years. We searched Reddit threads to find the best finds from this year. One buyer found seven cameras (including some antiques) for just $320. Another found a set of cookbooks that are no longer in print for around $25. Still another found a coin to add to their collection. They paid $12 for it and it’s worth around $60.

If you love thrifting and reselling, this might be the vacation to plan for you. Spend three days traveling a good portion of the country and come home with a handful of treasures and the best memories.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Pressmaster/Shutterstock.com.