Craigslist has listed garage sales for a long time, and in many cities sellers still post there every week. It's free to browse, but it wasn't built for planning a Saturday route. Here's how to find the sales that are on, how to skip the stale posts, and which free alternatives fill the gaps. (This site isn't affiliated with Craigslist.)
Where Craigslist lists garage sales
Open your city's Craigslist and look under "for sale" for the "garage & moving sales" section. That's where sellers post yard sales, estate sales, moving sales and multi-family sales, usually with the date and the address or cross streets in the post.
Inside the section you can search by keyword, sort the results so the newest posts come first, and switch from the list to the map view to see roughly where each sale is. Pick the nearest area if your region is split into smaller areas.
How to find this weekend's sales on Craigslist
Most sellers post a few days ahead, so search on Thursday and Friday. Try keywords like "Saturday", "estate" and "multi-family" to bring up the bigger sales, then sort by posted date so the fresh ones are on top.
- Read the date in the post itself, not just the date it was posted: some sellers repost old ads
- Skip posts that don't give a day or a date for the sale
- Watch for the same ad posted again and again by a reseller or a business
- Write down the address and the start time so you can plan the order of your stops
The limits of Craigslist for garage sales
Craigslist posts are short and loosely structured, which is why many buyers use it alongside other tools rather than on its own.
- No photos required: many posts are text only, so you can't tell a box of odds and ends from a garage full of tools
- No hours field: the start and end times are wherever the seller typed them, if at all
- Posts expire and get reposted, so old and new sales sit side by side
- Scams happen: a message asking you to pay a deposit to "hold" an item or to get the address is a red flag. A real garage sale doesn't need money in advance
- No way to plan a route across many sales at once
Free alternatives to Craigslist garage sales
A map-based listing site shows each sale as a pin with its dates, hours and photos where the seller added them. Open the garage sale map, check this weekend's sales, or browse garage sales by category to find sales with the kinds of items you want.
Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor and local buy-and-sell groups are worth checking too, since some sellers post in only one place. Our garage sale vs Facebook Marketplace guide explains how sellers use each one, and how to find garage sales near you puts all the methods together, including following the signs.
For sellers: post in more than one place
If you're the one holding the sale, don't rely on a single site. Buyers each have their favorite, so the same sale posted in two or three places reaches more people. Post your sale free with dates, hours and photos so it shows on the map, then add it to Craigslist and a neighborhood group.
Our guide to advertising a garage sale online for free covers where to post and what to write, and the free garage sale flyer maker gives you a printable flyer for local notice boards.
Frequently asked questions
Does Craigslist still have garage sales?
Yes. Most city Craigslist sites still have a "garage & moving sales" section under "for sale", and in many areas sellers post there every week. How many sales you'll find depends on your city.
How do I see Craigslist garage sales on a map?
In the garage & moving sales section, switch from the list view to the map view. Locations are approximate and only show for posts that include one. A map-based garage sale site shows each listed sale as a pin with its dates and hours.
Is it free to post a garage sale on Craigslist?
Yes, in most cities posting in the garage & moving sales section is free. Posting a sale on this site's garage sale map is free too.
What's the best app for garage sales this weekend?
There's no single best app. A map-based listing site shows sales with dates, hours and photos, and Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor and Craigslist are worth checking too, since some sellers post in only one place.
How do I avoid scams on Craigslist garage sale posts?
Never pay a deposit to hold an item or to get a sale's address. Real garage sales are held in person and you pay when you pick up. Check items at the sale before you hand over money.