During the weekend of Aug. 7-10, two of America’s largest “corridor” yard sales – the Lincoln Buy-Way and the World’s Longest Yard Sale – ran concurrently, intersecting in the city of Van Wert, Ohio. That overlap brought thousands of bargain hunters and treasure seekers into the area, providing an economic boost to Van Wert and other local communities.

Although these events weren’t new to the region, their overlap on the same weekend underscored how significant a role these sales can play for a local, rural economy. Known as “corridor” or “regional” yard sales, these large-scale events stretch for hundreds of miles, often crossing multiple states and following scenic byways or historic routes. Across the country, they’ve grown into major summer traditions. In addition to the Lincoln Buy-Way, which follows the historic Lincoln Highway, and the World’s Longest Yard Sale, which runs along U.S. Route 127, there’s the National Road Yard Sale on U.S. Route 40, the Route 50 Yard Sale, and North Carolina’s Route 301 Endless Yard Sale – among a dozen others nationwide.

Though these sales sometimes touch urban centers, they mostly wind through the heart of rural America. Take the 127 sale, which runs from Michigan to Alabama: aside from a few larger cities like Lansing, Cincinnati and Chattanooga, its path traverses mainly rural stretches and small towns. The same goes for the Lincoln Buy-Way, which in Ohio touches only Canton, with the remainder principally through rural communities.

One of the obvious benefits of these sales is the income they provide to local families. Sellers line their driveways with tables of used goods, handmade crafts, antiques, and even new merchandise. Unlike money spent at big-box stores, these dollars stay local. In 2016, the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor reported over 1,300 individual yard sales in Ohio alone – a number that has grown steadily. The preponderance of sales is a siren call for buyers; the same Ohio data indicated traffic flow approaching 100 cars per hour passing along the sale corridor.

That kind of traffic turns a quiet roadside into a bustling marketplace. Misty Stephens, former tourism director in Jamestown, Tenn., home of the Route 127 Sale, said the local impact is huge.

The income the sale can spur is more than just pocket change, said Kimberly Dawn Wood, a researcher at West Virginia University. She studied what she calls the “informal economy,” including the role yard sales play. “Yard sales deserve significant attention,” she said, “especially in states with struggling economies where residents use them to supplement their income.”

She added that yard sales offer some unique financial advantages: very little overhead, immediate cash payments, and, often, income that goes unreported – which is especially important for those trying to maintain eligibility for government benefits such as Supplemental Security Income or other programs.

Local businesses also see a bump. North Carolina antique store owner Natalie Morgan remarked on the impact: “The 301 Yard Sale days are typically two of our best days in the year.”

Those effects go well beyond retail, as visitors need fuel, food and places to sleep –

 especially those who turn the sales into a weekend getaway. Stephens acknowledged that there’s no way to track the exact dollars, but said, “We see the impact through our lodging facilities, retail stores, gas stations, etc. Our lodging facilities are booked months in advance for the event.”

In Georgia, Paula Anderson, of the Telfair County Chamber of Commerce, echoed the same. She described the Peaches to the Beaches sale as the county’s busiest time of year. In a local news interview about the event, she said, “Hotels are filled to capacity. It’s the busiest time of the year for hotels, restaurants, gas stations and convenience stores.” That ultimately equates to more sales and use taxes collected for the county.

Yet, it’s not just individual sellers or local businesses who benefit. Many community groups use these events for fundraising. Along these sale routes, it’s common to see churches, schools and civic organizations hosting bake sales, selling crafts, or renting vendor spaces. Kristopher Martin, former associate planner with the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission and coordinator of the U.S. 12 Heritage Trail Sale, said, “In some communities, proceeds from yard sales directly support local charities or nonprofits.”

As the benefits ripple outward, local governments also find value in supporting these sales. Municipalities along the Route 50 sale, including Jackson County, Ind., and Hillsboro, Ohio, promote the event through official channels, recognizing the potential for economic return. Beyond tax revenue, some events like Georgia’s Peaches to the Beaches charge vendor fees at designated sale sites, which are shared between entities like chambers of commerce or tourism boards to cover future marketing and operational costs.

Though these yard sales last only a few days, their positive effects often linger. The events draw their share of media attention and introduce new people to towns they might otherwise never visit. Martin noted that the Route 12 sale encourages long-term connections. “Some people return later in the year after discovering a town during the sale,” he said.

Ashby Brame, vice president of marketing for Johnston County, N.C., said the 301 sale provides more than just a short-term boost. “It helps establish Route 301 as a destination people come back to, which benefits businesses year-round.”

Over time, that kind of visibility can spur economic development. Towns that once saw themselves bypassed find new life tied to tourism and entrepreneurship. Along parts of Route 127, for example, small towns have attracted new shops, residents, and investment – all sparked by a few days of annual activity. Anderson put it best: “Who would have thought that a 220-mile yard sale could have such a positive impact on the economies of 11 counties?”