Ready to hit the road in search of vintage treasures? This thrift store road trip guide includes expert tips on mapping your route, packing smart, shopping with friends, and styling your finds, any time of year!
Every August 17, National Thrift Shop Day celebrates the joy of secondhand shopping, and this year, I’m especially honored to be featured in AARP, sharing my tips for a thrift store road trip!
But let’s be honest: for us vintage decor enthusiasts, every day can be thrift shop day. Whether you’re planning a fall foliage vintage shopping trip, a girls’ weekend getaway, or a solo spring trip to Paris flea markets, this guide is packed with everything you need to plan the perfect thrift store road trip, from route planning and packing lists to decorating ideas and styling your favorite finds.
So gas up the car (or RV!), call your thrifting besties, and let’s hit the road..
Why I’m Sharing This Thrift Store Road Trip Idea With You
This blog post isn’t just about tips, it’s about introducing the idea of planning a thrift store road trip. Whether it’s a day out with friends, a weekend with family, or a getaway with your church group or local community, thrifting on the road can be creative, affordable, and so much fun. After chatting with AARP for their National Thrift Shop Day feature and reflecting on my own trips, from vintage-hopping around New England to a week-long Paris flea market adventure, I realized how special these experiences are. Through this post, I hope to inspire you to gather your people, hit the road, and start your own thrift store road trip tradition.
Thrifting with the Gals
Love the thrill of the hunt? Thrifting with the Gals is a blog series packed with secondhand scores, vintage styling ideas, and real-time thrift adventures you won’t want to miss.
Thrift Store Road Trip: A Joyful Way to Explore and Treasure Hunt
Have you ever considered planning a thrift store road trip? Whether it’s a spontaneous Saturday adventure, a two-day trail through charming small towns, or even a weeklong Paris flea market escape with your closest friends, planning your thrift route can be just as fun as the treasure hunting itself.
Thrift road trips aren’t just a clever idea; they’re a full-blown thrift-centric travel trend embraced by weekend warriors, decor lovers, and curious explorers of all ages. In fact, this very idea was recently featured by AARP | Members Only as a joyful, nostalgic, and creative way to travel with friends, family, or even as part of a church group or community club.
It’s about more than the finds. These thrift store road trips are about connection, bonding over roadside diner stops, laughing over thrift store oddities, and cheering when someone scores the perfect $5 crock or floral painting. You don’t need a full itinerary or a big budget to get started, just a sense of adventure and a shared love for the hunt.
From coastal New England towns to countryside barns and curated city shops, planning your thrift shop route invites you to see your world differently, one secondhand stop at a time.
To help you get started on planning your own thrift store road trip, I’ve created two detailed antique stores and vintage markets guides, one for thrifting in coastal Maine and another covering my favorite second-hand stores across Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, and upstate New York:
Thrifting New England Shopping Guide: Vintage Stores, Markets & Must-Visit Stops
Join me as I explore the best vintage and thrift stores from Maine to Vermont, and even Paris and Canada. It’s your go-to guide for planning your next treasure-hunting adventure.
Your First Step to Planning a Thrift Store Road Trip
Before you hit the road, the first step in planning your thrift store road trip is deciding what kind of adventure you want to have and who’s coming along for the ride. Whether it’s a day-long thrift hop or a weekend getaway packed with antique decor treasures, setting a clear vision from the start helps make your trip more fun (and more fruitful!).
Here are a few questions to help you plan your thrift store road trip route:
Once you’ve settled the basics, you can start building a thrift store road trip route that’s just right for your group, your goals, and your vintage-loving heart.
Dreaming Bigger? Plan a Week-Long Thrift Store Road Trip—Even in Paris!
If you’re ready to take your thrift store road trip international, I highly recommend checking out my 8-day Paris flea market adventure. I went with a friend (you can go solo too!) and joined a tour run by Les Fleurs, based in Andover, Massachusetts. They planned everything from lodging to market stops, an unforgettable experience filled with antique treasures and vintage inspiration.
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Smart Tips to Plan Your Thrift Store Road Trip Route Like a Pro
From years of Thrifting with the Gals across New England to spending eight unforgettable days thrifting in Paris, I’ve learned a thing or two about what makes a thrift store road trip truly special. Whether you’re staying local or flying overseas, here are a few takeaways to help you plan your own unforgettable vintage adventure.
Don’t Overpack Your Thrift Store Road Trip Itinerary
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from years of thrift store road trips is to leave plenty of breathing room in your schedule. Resist the urge to cram in every thrift shop, flea market, and antique store in one day. If you’re visiting a large market, make that your morning plan. If you’re hitting smaller thrift stores, two stops before lunch is usually perfect. Everyone shops at their own pace, and long, leisurely breaks (think three-hour lunches like we had in Paris!) give your group a chance to relax, refuel, and truly enjoy the day, without the burnout.
Research Local Attractions Along the Route
A successful thrift store road trip isn’t just about the shopping; it’s about the full experience. Look up fun area stops ahead of time, especially lunch spots your group will love. Ask for input! Some may want to pack a picnic, others might crave a local lobster roll, or maybe there’s a charming café or farm stand you’ve all been meaning to try. For instance, if you’re near the Vermont Country Store, it’s a perfect place to stop; not only can you browse nostalgic finds, but you can also enjoy a bite at their on-site bakery and deli. And don’t stop at food, consider adding a favorite flower shop, scenic overlook, or quirky roadside attraction to the route. Having a few local gems in your back pocket keeps the day flexible and full of surprises.
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Hire a Driver for Your Thrift Store Road Trip (Or Designate a Chauffeur!)
One of the best thrift store road trip tips? Get a driver if you can swing it! Whether it’s a hired van service, a friend with a spacious SUV, or even a local limousine company, having someone else handle the driving takes the pressure off the organizer, who already has enough on their plate. A designated driver can focus on the route, timing, and parking, while you and your group relax and enjoy the ride (and the shopping!). Bonus points if you can find a vehicle with plenty of room for everyone’s treasures, think vans with storage, an RV, or a roomy trunk to haul those vintage finds home in style.
Pro Tip: A Little Tip Goes a Long Way
If you’re lucky enough to have a driver for your thrift store road trip, whether it’s a designated friend or someone you hired, consider having everyone pitch in $5–$10 for a thank-you tip. You can collect it at the start of the day to keep things simple. That small gesture can go a long way toward making your driver feel appreciated, and you might just find them going the extra mile (literally!). Think bags loaded into the trunk, doors opened, and a smoother ride for everyone. Vintage treasures are fun, but kindness is what really makes a road trip shine.
Map Your Thrift Store Road Trip and Confirm Shop Hours Ahead of Time
Planning your thrift store road trip route is key to a successful and stress-free day. Start by researching shop and market hours and call ahead to confirm they’re open, especially with small mom-and-pop stores, which can sometimes close unexpectedly. Use Google Maps to chart your course, share with the group, and make the most of your drive time. I often use custom Google Maps for my trips, like the one I created for our Newfoundland thrift adventure.
Pro Tip
If you’re traveling with a group, give the thrift shops a heads-up. Letting them know you’re coming might inspire them to put out snacks or special items, and it builds a friendly connection. A little thoughtfulness goes a long way, especially if you tip or offer a thank-you treat in return.
Looking for more thrift store road trip ideas? Explore some of our antiquing RV road trips in these posts:
When you’re thrifting with friends, staying organized is key. Consider creating a shared thrift store road trip itinerary using a group text, Google Docs, or a simple notes app. Include all the essential info like shop names, hours, addresses, and contact numbers. This way, if someone wanders off to a book nook or lingers over a vintage find, it’s easy for them to rejoin the group. A shared itinerary keeps everyone on track, and makes your thrift road trip smoother, more fun, and stress-free.
Plan Ahead: Parking Tips for Your Thrift Store Road Trip Stops
Parking can be one of the biggest challenges on a thrift or antique road trip, especially if you’re traveling in a van, RV, or carpooling with a larger group. Many vintage shops, downtown thrift stores, and antique barns are located in tight or limited-parking areas. Take a few minutes to check Google Maps or call ahead to ask about parking options. Knowing where to park before you arrive saves time, reduces stress, and makes for a smoother thrifting adventure.
Vintage Market Days Vermont
One of my favorite three-day vintage shopping events to attend each spring and fall is Vintage Market Days Vermont, a perfect destination for a weekend-long thrift and antique road trip. With curated vendors, live music, food trucks, and a festive atmosphere, it’s a must-visit for vintage lovers. Explore more about planning your trip in these blog posts:
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With a little planning and a few smart tips, like building in buffer time, checking for local events, sending out a group text, and scouting parking, you’ll set yourself up for a smooth, stress-free thrift road trip. Prioritize your must-stop shops, call ahead for group discounts, and most importantly, leave room for fun and a few surprise detours along the way!
Top Vintage Decor Ideas & Thrifted Finds You’ll Love
Explore my most popular vintage decorating posts filled with personal stories, styling tips, and lessons learned from years of thrifting across New England and beyond.
7 Thrifted Finds I Regret Not Buying (And What I Learned)
9 Thrift Store Finds I Always Buy for Vintage Styling
9 Vintage Decor Pieces I’ll Never Part With
10 Vintage Decor Ideas I Spotted at Vintage Market Days Vermont
What to Pack for a Thrift Store Road Trip
A little preparation goes a long way when it comes to a successful thrift store road trip Whether you’re road tripping with friends or heading to your local flea market, packing the right essentials will keep everyone comfortable, organized, and ready for vintage treasure hunting. Here’s what I always recommend bringing along:
Hulken Rolling Bag
One of my favorite thrift shopping essentials is the Hulken Rolling Bag. This sturdy, stylish, and collapsible rolling tote makes hours of flea market shopping a breeze. Whether you’re strolling through vintage markets or hauling home thrift store finds, the Hulken bag glides effortlessly, holds plenty, and folds flat when you’re done. It’s truly a game-changer for any serious secondhand shopper. And it’s available in three sizes!
This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.
Car Games for Your Thrift Store Road Trip (Retro and Ready for Fun!)
A good thrift store road trip isn’t just about the shopping; it’s about the journey, too. And what better way to pass the miles than with a few classic car games, especially the ones that add a dash of nostalgia?
Vintage Car Games for Your Thrift Store Road Trip
In the 1950s and ’60s, road trips were a family affair, and backseat boredom sparked some of the most beloved games of all time. Vintage travel games like License Plate Bingo, I Spy, and 20 Questions were often sold in handy magnetic board sets (perfect for bouncing cars), and you can still find these charming sets on Etsy and in vintage shops today. The retro packaging and clever design make them collectible and playable.
Where to Find Vintage Car Games for Your Thrift Store Road Trip
Vintage car games make delightful road trip companions and display beautifully on a shelf when you’re home. I’ve linked a few for you here: Shop Vintage and Retro Road Trip Car Games
Modern Road Trip Games to Pack for Your Thrift Store Adventure
Today, you can pick up fresh spins on the classics or download printable versions online. Some favorites include:
Whether you’re traveling with kids, friends, or a group of vintage home decor enthusiasts, packing a few car games adds that extra spark to your journey. If you’re lucky, you might even find a retro set of games at your very first thrift stop. Shop Modern Day Road Trip Car Games
Letting Go of Vintage: How to Downsize and Rehome Your Beloved Decor
Learn how to downsize and rehome vintage decor with care. This heartfelt guide shares tips for letting go of beloved pieces while honoring their stories. Whether you’re retiring, downsizing, or simply ready to declutter with intention, this guide is here to help you pass on your beloved vintage decor with purpose.
Explore the Vintage Home Decor Glossary
Curious about the vintage and thrifted pieces I use throughout my home? Visit the Vintage Home Decor Glossary to explore 15 of my favorite styling ideas, from milk glass to blue and white dishes, antique quilts, and more.
Thrift Store Road Trips Are Better with Friends
Thrifting with Friends on the Ultimate Vintage Girls Trip
One of the biggest joys of thrifting is making it a shared adventure. After years of Thrifting with the Gals, from small-town shops in Vermont to vintage treasure hunts in Newfoundland, I’ve learned that the best thrift store road trips are the ones where friends pile into the car, snacks in hand, with laughter guaranteed.
Whether you’re planning a girls’ day out or a weekend-long vintage shopping spree, here are some playful, practical ideas to make your thrift store road trip unforgettable:
Pro Tip
When I thrifted my way through Paris with the gals, we made time for sidewalk cafés and flower market strolls. In Vermont, we hit the shops, stopped for creemees, and always found a scenic view to enjoy along the way.
Want more travel and thrift inspiration? Check out my Thrifting with the Gals series, packed with stories, vintage finds, and trip tips from Maine to the mountains of Vermont.
Vintage Coastal New England Decorating Ideas
Looking for vintage coastal decor ideas? Explore timeless New England decorating inspiration, thrifted finds, and creative ways to style your coastal home.
How to Style Your Thrifted Finds After the Trip
The fun doesn’t stop once the thrifting trip is over, in fact, this is where the magic begins! One of my favorite parts of any thrift store road trip is coming home and styling all those fabulous thrifted finds. Whether you picked up antique picture frames, vintage pottery, or a quirky piece that just spoke to you, now’s the time to clean them up and give them new life.
Styling vintage decor is all about creating vignettes that mix personality, function, and charm. Start by giving each piece a gentle clean, especially if it’s been in storage or has that beloved musty antique smell. Then look for spots around your home where your new treasure can shine. Hutches, mantels, bookshelves, and tablescapes are all perfect places to start.
Try a Styling Tip!
Looking for simple, vintage-inspired decorating ideas you can try in an afternoon? Explore all my Styling Tips for easy seasonal projects, quick DIYs, and creative ways to style your home with charm.
For example, I recently styled a few favorite treasures from my latest Goodwill Northern New England home decor hauls, and what a transformation! These thrifted finds turned an ordinary corner of our home into something truly special. If you’re planning your own thrift store shopping trip, the Goodwill Northern New England stores in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont are a must-visit. I’ve shared the full story and how I styled it all in the posts below.
And to make your trip even easier, I created a Google Map of all the Goodwill Northern New England locations so you can plan your route. This would be a fantastic weekend thrift adventure, one I highly recommend!
To give you a little inspiration, here’s a fun before-and-after collage of how I styled pieces from my haul. I love showing the raw finds alongside their finished look, it’s amazing what a little imagination can do!
Have a styling success story of your own? Tag me on Instagram and show off your thrift haul ideas, I’d love to feature you in an upcoming blog post or story highlight!
Want even more styling inspiration? Don’t forget to join my Vintage Styling Challenge, a seasonal email packed with easy, creative ideas to style your finds all year long.
Thrift Store Road Trip Story A Paris Find and the Power of Patience
When my friend Lisa and I went thrifting together in Paris, she was on a mission: to find a turquoise Parisian chandelier for her hairdresser back home. Between photos, texts, currency conversions, shipping questions, and endless back-and-forths, we spent what felt like hours working out the details. Would it fit her budget? Would it work? Could it even be rewired? It was one of those moments where I realized, patience is everything when thrifting with friends. But the joy didn’t stop in Paris. When I got back to New England and Lisa was away for the winter, I picked up the chandelier for her, delivered it to the hairdresser, and made a new friend in the process, complete with a thank-you bottle of wine. Thoughtful, beautiful, and a little magical. Just like the chandelier itself.
Start Here: Your Guide to Vintage, Thrifted, and Antique Home Decorating
Looking for a welcoming place to begin? Start with my Start Here page, where I share favorite vintage decorating ideas, thrifted finds, and styling inspiration from our cozy New England homes in Vermont and Coastal Maine.
How to Celebrate National Thrift Shop Day (Even If You’re on a Road Trip!)
Looking for fun, meaningful ways to honor National Thrift Shop Day while you’re out thrifting with friends or planning your own thrift store road trip? Here are three simple, feel-good ways to make it count, no matter where the day takes you.
Donate Something You’d Be Excited to Find
Sure, we all donate the usual cast-offs but what if you passed along something truly special? Maybe a vintage piece you’ve outgrown or a home decor item that deserves a second life. Someone else might stumble upon it and feel like they hit the thrifted jackpot. That’s the real joy of giving—and of thrifting.
Go on a Thrift Store Road Trip (Of Course!)
Head to your favorite local thrift shop or hit the road for a vintage adventure. Try something a little out of your comfort zone, maybe a bold piece of thrifted clothing or a quirky retro find that sparks joy. The beauty of thrifting is in the unexpected, and National Thrift Shop Day is the perfect excuse to explore.
Volunteer Your Time (Or Just Ask How to Help)
Thrift stores do more than sell secondhand goods, they support local communities, job training programs, and sustainability efforts. Consider volunteering, or simply ask how you can pitch in. Whether it’s sorting donations, helping at the register, or just spreading the word, it all makes a difference.
Final Thoughts on Planning the Perfect Thrift Store Road Trip
Whether you’re hunting for vintage treasures in a small-town shop, mapping out a multi-state thrifting adventure, or simply sharing a weekend outing with friends, a well-planned thrift store road trip can be one of the most memorable (and budget-friendly!) ways to explore. From quirky decor finds to unexpected friendship moments, each stop along the way tells a story worth collecting.
Remember: pack light, stay patient, and keep your eyes open for the magic in the mismatched, the worn, and the whimsical. If you’ve been dreaming of hitting the road for some serious secondhand treasure hunting, let this guide be your vintage-loving launch point.
Happy thrifting~ and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram with your favorite finds from your next thrift store road trip adventure!
Whether you’re venturing across New England or just spending the afternoon with a friend down the road, a thrift store road trip is about so much more than what you find; it’s about the memories you make along the way. I hope this guide inspires you to plan your own trip, whatever the season. And if you’re new here from the AARP article, welcome! You can follow along for more vintage adventures right here or on Instagram.
Frequently Asked Questions About A Thrift Store Road Trip
A successful thrift store road trip starts with mapping out must-visit thrift shops, vintage markets, and local antique stores along your route. Be sure to schedule plenty of time for browsing, breaks, and spontaneous stops; that’s where the magic often happens.
Pack light but smart for your thrift store road trip: reusable bags, cash, a tape measure, a shopping list, and snacks go a long way. Don’t forget a few tools like a flashlight or batteries to test vintage electronics or lamps.
Use Google Maps, Yelp, and local vintage shopping guides to uncover top-rated thrift stores on your thrift store road trip. Instagram hashtags and blog posts from vintage lovers (like this one!) can lead to hidden gems.
Absolutely! A thrift store road trip with friends makes the hunt even more fun, offering second opinions, shared discoveries, and lots of laughs. Just be sure to give each other space and patience along the way.
Midweek is often the best time to hit thrift shops; stores are restocked, less crowded, and easier to browse. Planning your thrift store road trip around Wednesdays and Thursdays can help you score the best vintage finds.
Your Guide to Embracing Eclectic Style, Vintage Finds, and Thrifted Home Inspiration~
Love decorating with vintage finds, thrifted treasures, and eclectic charm? I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below, share this post with a vintage-loving friend, or email me to join our Reader’s Showcase Series, where we feature your favorite thrifted and antique finds.
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What a great post Ann…looking back I have been on a lot of these adventures…big and small:) I love how the rest of the group in Paris also got involved in the search for the perfect turquoise chandelier!! Where ever we go thrifting it is ALWAYS an adventure!!
Your thrifting pal and high school bestie:)
Thanks Lisa❤️
I thought it would be fun to plan a thrift shopping excursion for August 17, but here in Canada almost all of the thrift stores are closed on Sunday, so it will have to be on another day.
Good luck with your planning.
Hi Diane, you make such a great point! Most are closed here on Sundays too. But I think it’s more about awareness, but no matter when you go, it’s always fun! Thanks for stopping by today!