Exploring the 2025 QIDC 100 Mile Yard Sale: Tips and Treasures
- Maria DeAngelis
- Jul 19
- 5 min read
Hello thrifties, welcome! 🎉 Here on my blog, we celebrate everything second-hand, vintage, and wonderfully affordable! If this sounds like your kind of adventure, follow along on FB and IG and join the hunt. I’d be thrilled to have you on Team Thrift! 🌟
If you're already a follower, thank you so much! You know how much I absolutely adore mega yard sales, and I make it a mission to attend as many as possible. One of my all-time favorites is Pennsylvania’s very own 100 Mile Sale! If you haven’t heard of it or want to dive deeper, don't miss my other blog posts here and here. Right now, I'm thrilled to be writing this blog from a stunning Airbnb garden in the heart of Clearfield, PA, which is my annual home base for the sale. This year, we’re in a new spot because our beloved "regular" host sold their property. But being in a different part of Clearfield has been an exciting adventure, allowing us to explore new places in the neighborhood, like Denny's Beer Barrel Burger. We loved it so much, we went back two days in a row!
Friday, July 18th - Day 1: Snow Shoe to Clearfield
We kicked off our adventure on Friday, rising bright and early in Lancaster at 4am and making it to our first sale in Snow Shoe just before 8am, which is the latest we've ever arrived. But guess what? That late start didn't stop me from uncovering some amazing treasures! Snow Shoe is my go-to first stop because it's the closest to Lancaster, but no worries if you're starting from the northern end—there's no right or wrong way to tackle this sale! We traveled from our starting point in Snow Shoe to Clearfield, covering a total of 25.5 miles, and left the final sale around 4, spending a total of 8 hours.
✨This brings me to tip #1—plan ahead! Be sure to start with a full tank of gas, plenty of cash, and drinks.
✨Tip #2: Even in July, it can be on the chilly side in this area, especially in the early morning hours. Layer a hoodie over a tank top, or bring a jacket—something that you can remove when it starts getting warmer.
✨Tip #3: Make use of the interactive map whenever you have a signal. Generally, the southern stretch (Snow Shoe to Clearfield) has reliable T-Mobile service. However, as you head north, we often lose both cell and internet reception on that network.
We mainly stay on the main road, Rt 879, but will venture off a bit if there's a sale nearby! Plus since we come every year I have my favorites spots I visit time after time. Every year brings a new shopping adventure and different items I'm seeking. Some years, I'm all about stocking up on inventory for resale; other times, I'm hunting for unique pieces to spruce up my décor or seeking out fun items for my grandkids. This year was all about shopping for a little bit of everything! Usually, I don't buy clothes for myself during this sale, but if something catches my eye, I'm all in! Plus, clothes shopping can take a lot of time, and with 7+ hours of nonstop shopping, I want to hit as many sales as possible!
When shopping this sale leave your expectations at the door, especially if you're hoping for high-end name brands, or you might be let down. But don't worry there is TONS of clothing, mostly Walmart brands, along with high-quality outdoor wear like Carhartt. Also keep in mind that tackling the entire sale in just one day is ambitious, and even two days might be pushing it. My top tip? Use the handy guide to strategically plan your shopping route, focusing on areas with the most sales and the items you're eager to discover. If you're not subscribed, be sure to click here, as I'm compiling a list of the true reality of shopping this sale, what to look for, expect to find, and what you won't see.
Scenes from Day #1
Saturday, July 19, Day 2: Force/Weedville to Benezette
This year marked my second time shopping through both the northern and southern regions over an two-day spree! Usually, I only explore the southern region, but this time, Saturday kicked off in the town of Force, and I made my way to the the village of Benezette, the heart of Elk country. Both years I missed the towns of Driftwood and Sinnemahoning. There is a distinct difference between shopping the two areas. In the future, I'll focus more on the southern region and maybe go to Weedville. My last purchase of the day was in Weedville, and beyond that, it was more about the scenic drive than the sales, with nothing catching my eye. However, we did indulge in an absolutely amazing chocolate cupcake with cream at a sale near the Medix Hotel, which was the highlight of day 2 and probably the best cupcake we ever had! The temperature is also cooler in this area, so it was nice to drive with the windows down, looking for Elk, which we have yet to see!
Scenes from Day #2
What route do you prefer?
The southern region boasts a concentration of sales, food, and convenient port-a-potty access. While a bit of driving is required, the sales are strategically clustered together. The roads are easy to navigate, and you'll encounter more families residing along this route. If you're searching for vintage or children's items, this is undoubtedly the route to prioritize!
Weedville also offers a cluster of sales and some vintage finds. Heading out of town means mountainous, winding roads, steep driveways, and limited roadside parking. I spotted just one port-a-potty and a single food vendor along this path. The permanent residents here tend to be older, so there's less children's clothing available. You'll come across some RV homesteads and hunting cabins, with items mostly geared towards men. The sales along the upper northern route are definitely more male-oriented, with a strong emphasis on outdoor hobbies, although you'll still find a little of everything, including good vintage pieces. Whether you choose one route or both, there's something for everyone, and with sales varying each year, you'll never know what you might discover!
Once again, just like in years past, I discovered some amazing treasures—some to cherish forever and others perfect for reselling. It truly makes the trip worthwhile! To check out my fantastic finds from both days click here and here.
Of course, no journey is complete without exploring the local thrift scene! We visited Goodwill in Clearfield, two locations in Dubois, and a location in Phillipsburg, and found that, much like the yard sales, the clothing brands are largely similar. A noticeable difference between the Keystone Goodwills and the Goodwills in this area is that clothing is priced per piece, and the shelves are well-stocked! Vintage items are easy to find, with treasures you might need to dig for. They still also offer color sales (and without providing a phone number) and still supply plastic bags. One unfortunate difference is that there are no dressing rooms available.
I enjoyed my time hitting the sales and visiting the four Goodwill locations this weekend. My absolute favorites were the Main St in Dubois and the Philipsburg spots! If you're excited to see more of my Goodwill adventures, make sure to follow me on Facebook, where I regularly share all the highlights from the thrift stores I explore!
Have you ever shopped at this amazing 100-mile yard sale? If you have, I'd love to hear all about your adventure and the incredible treasures you discovered! Comment and share your experience.
Comments