My best friend decided she didn't want any parties or fancy gifts for her 40th birthday. She wants to spend that weekend doing The World's Longest Yard Sale!! Of course I was thrilled with this idea. Has anyone done this. I would love to hear any input about the best areas, places to stay and eat, etc. We'll be starting on the south end as I'm in Atlanta and she's in Charlotte. Any info is appreciated.
Thanks
Junk Revolution Community » Rescue
Topic: World's Longest Yard Sale
(26 posts)-
Reen
MemberPosted 4 years ago # -
Oh, what a great way to spend a special birthday. MY best friend and I went 4 years ago and we had a ball. It was my first and only time going, so I'm no expert, but I did learn a few things. I live in Michigan and my friend had just moved to Florida so mainly I was looking for an excuse to visit her. We left the kids behind and headed to Alabama in an empty minivan. We started in Alabama which is basically the tail end. We worked it for 2 or 3 days and probably covered less than 20 miles altogether. It wasn't a string of "garage sales", but more like a string of flea markets. That's a good thing, but many stops were open areas filled with many vendors where you could easily spend several hours. The prices weren't a rip-off (in my opinion), but they weren't that great either. The vendors expect big crowds so I think they price a little bit higher at least at the start.
For us it wasn't about bargains, but more about the adventure of it all and about the vast amount of sights and selection. I bought a few things and my friend got some furniture type stuff for her new home. I definitely want to go again (maybe we'll run into each other).
Food along the way was not a problem. Restaurants were usually jammed, but there were food vendors amoung the crowds. Lodging was another story. We had nothing planned ahead because we had no idea what to expect. We did find decent motels for each night, but it was a battle. One night we ended around 6 and entered a motel only to find it filled with people, all from the sale. They ran out of rooms partway and the whole crowd ran across the parking lot to the next one. The repeated itself until we finally found one with a room. You might also want to phone ahead from your car in the afternoon once you know where you're heading.
Driving wasn't too bad. I'd read stories of traffic jams, but we didn't have anything like that. Just some slower driving through towns (which were a little hectic). Parking wasn't as bad as I feared.
All-in-all a great time. Have fun!
MidgePosted 4 years ago # -
RosieO
MemberHi! I went to The Longest Yard Sale 4 years ago also, with 3 friends! We had the foresight to take 2 vans and took out ALL the back seats. Each van had a cooler for drinks and snacks, and we took some large storage totes to keep the ‘smalls’ safe and separated (that would be a real bear to sort thru when you got home, late and tired).
Each lady made a list of the special things she wanted to look for, and then made copies for each friend to refer to. This worked pretty good.
We’re from Indiana, so we left late Wednesday evening and drove 3 hours to the Louisville area to spend the night. This way we were at the yard sale area well before noon.
We had made advance reservations for 3 nights at a hotel in Franklin KY. It was right on Route 127, which was great after a long day. Franklin is almost at the north end of the sale route.
We went south for 3 days (Thurs.-Fri.-Sat.), working the west side on the way down, and the east side on the way back. If we accidentally drove past a sale, we just said we’d get it tomorrow. Doing this, plus new sales opening up, plus driving a little farther each day ... it all worked out well.
On Saturday, we made it all the way to Danville KY, perhaps all of 50 miles. Then on Sunday, we headed north on the route. After a while, we started saying, ‘O.K. we’ll stop at this one, then we have to go home’.
But, we repeated that a few too many times!
Throughout the 4 days, we did stop at organized flea markets, but our group seemed to like the regular garage sales best and there were plenty of them.
All in all, we had a great time. No one got mad at anyone else! We all came home still friends! And both vans were stuffed!
Would we do it again? Absolutely!! (each one of us, or our spouse, has had health problems in the years since, but I think we will be able to go again soon.)
If you Google “longest yard sale”, you will find good information.
RosiePosted 4 years ago # -
RosieO
MemberSorry, not Franklin, but Frankfort KY.
RosiePosted 4 years ago # -
We are having a 200 mile yard sale first weekend in Oct...I live near Louisville.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Sounds fun and the weather should be great too! Wish I could attend. Jan
Posted 4 years ago # -
RosieO
MemberLeveta, do the October yard sales follow a specific route or road number?
I believe KY also has a yard sale route, running east and west, the first of June.
RosiePosted 4 years ago # -
Yes hwy 60. Last yr i believe it started around Lousiville. But I guess it must be past that this yr if it's 200 miles...We had several people come to my shop from Ind...I'm off 60 just a little ways...
Posted 4 years ago # -
Lila
MemberI went many years ago. We started on the south end and there were too many long drives inbetween activity. Once we got past I40 in Tennessee it got much better but we were out of time. My friend wants to do it again but I don't think I will. We never knew where we would be at night so couldn't make reservations and it was hard to find them. There are web sites that are helpful. Go to this site for a map and helpful hints. http://www.127sale.com/lodginghints.htm
Google "Corridor 127 for more.
LilaPosted 4 years ago # -
jacksmom
MemberHi, I'm new to this site and this thread caught my eye. I live in Danville, Kentucky which is near Frankfort (on an earlier post). The World's Longest Yard Sale (route 127) runs right through my town with tents set up everywhere. It is a really good time and the bargains are outrageous! I normally don't venture much past Frankfort, but any part of the yard sale you go to would be great! HAVE FUN!
Posted 4 years ago # -
Reen
MemberYou guys are awesome!! Thank you so much for the tips and keep them coming. I think to be on the safe side we might pick one spot to make the home base, that way we have a reserved hotel/motel room. And then we'll head north one day and south the next. I'm really looking forward to it, as much for the sales as the road trip with a girlfriend and all the laughter that usually entails!!
Posted 4 years ago # -
Welcome Jacksmom...If you ever get down this way look me up...
Posted 4 years ago # -
Anyone been to the Highway 80 sale? My brother lives in Longview, TX and I just happened to be visiting him and his wife one year when the sale was going on. That's how I found out about it. Now I go to Longview every year in October so I can see my family and visit the sale at the same time!! I've gotten some very good deals there.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Margo just sent me some information about it a couple of weeks ago and I plan on attending in October too. I have relatives who live there so I can stay with them if needed. Were there many sales in the Longview area or did you have to venture out to find them? Thanks! Jan
Posted 4 years ago # -
I never venture too far from Longview since I make it a one day affair. Maybe twenty miles at the most. I start driving west on 80 at about 8 am and stop when I see something that interests me. My daughter had been wanting a large black caldron and I had been looking for one of those old cast iron white patio tables that were popular in the fifties. The year before last I found both of them the same day. The patio table was in an antique store and the man said he had just gotten it the day before. He wanted fifty dollars for it so I took it. Some people had four antique wooden school type chairs for twenty dollars sitting on the sidewalk. I stopped and looked at them but passed and later went back for them. When I went back they were loading them into someone's truck. That was a bargain but I drive to Texas in my Scion and space is limited. That was why I passed the first time. I was wishing I haden't. The antique stores along 80 in Longview have some good prices too.
Dianne.Posted 4 years ago # -
Thanks for the information. I think a few fellow junkers might come with me for a one day trip. I usually pack a tub with a lid and limit myself to what will fit in it. I no longer handle furniture in my booth due to space. I have a new Honda CRV that I can topple the seats and have 72 sq. cubic feet of cargo space! Maybe we will see you this fall ! Jan
Posted 4 years ago # -
I'm planning to be there.
Dianne.Posted 4 years ago # -
Great - I will post this fall if our group can make it and maybe we can all meet up for a short visit. Jan
Posted 4 years ago # -
That sounds great!!!
Posted 4 years ago # -
Hi, this is my first post and I just wanted to share my 127 yard sale tips. This will be my forth year to go. My best friend and I enjoy it so much that we start planning in Feb. Our rooms have been reserved since then. We always start and end somewhere new. This year, like last we will be starting in Chattanooga, we just fell in love with this area. Look Out Mountain is a wonderful place, as well as the people you meet. There are a lot of yard sales in this area, which is what we liked. We have found that there are a lot of yard sale from Chattanooga going north rather than south. Went south two years ago and all we did was drive and drive, did not see very many sales. We will end in Frankfort Ky.
I do suggest that you take plenty of small bills,(money talks), sunscreen, a tape measure, newspaper for wrapping, rubber maid totes are great. The first year we took a cooler, have not since as it took up to much room. There is always somewhere to buy water. Did not find prices where raised just because of the yard sale. If you are taking a truck with no camper shell, take a tarp and a bunge tarp, and rope, you never know when you will need them.
Last but not least have fun!!!!!Posted 3 years ago # -
Maggie
MemberWelcome Countreepeddler! Thanks for the tips!
Posted 3 years ago # -
fortheloveofprim
MemberI so want to go to that!! Maybe next year!!
Posted 3 years ago # -
LuAnn
MemberFor all you Michiganers--there is a 200 mile "yard sale trail" starting in Marine City and goes around the thumb to Sewebaing along M25/29. It's in August and can be kinda warm but this goes along the coast line so there's usually a nice breeze. JH and I have done this the last 2 years. It's a blast and the scenery is great. Although I would love to do the longest garage sale one of these days until then I'll shop here. Go to yardsaletrail.com for more information. Hope to see some of you there!!
Posted 3 years ago # -
Reen
MemberThere's a write up in today's Parade magazine about the WLYS
Posted 3 years ago # -
I have gone for the past six years. I live in Indiana and I have tried different routes, but have found that starting in Gadsden, AL is the best option. Many booths are open earlier in the week so we hit a lot of the sales just outside of Gadsden on Wednesday. That frees us up on Thursday morning and gets us out of the traffic.
Book your hotels in advance—months in advance. We always take a cooler with snacks and drinks. It has been ridiculously hot the past few years and I like to stay hydrated. I take some bubble wrap and tubs to hold smaller items. I also take a roll of toilet paper. They have travel sizes at Target that fit in a purse. Bathrooms are few and far between on the 127. Many businesses won't allow the yard salers to use the facilities. Port-a-Pots are plentiful, but after a couple of days are pretty nasty.
There are lots of food stands along the way, but we tend to pack some healthier snacks. Comfortable shoes and sunscreen are a must!
I will be there again this year! Have fun!
Posted 3 years ago # -
Welcome Birdcolor....Thats good info, thanks for shareing...
Posted 3 years ago #
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