AT Resupply Options

IMO, a good way to resupply on the AT is to just wing it. Few or no resupply boxes. I had five when hiking in 2010, and that was about right, but two of those were gear swaps (colder to warmer/lighter gear in Pearisburg, then optionally back to some colder stuff before the Whites). Fontana dam can be handy, but I'm going to wing it there this time.

So I think that planned resupply boxes should be to places where you need to be sending something anyway. For me, that was replacing shoes with my preferred model, and getting prescriptions meds (though if you work on it ahead of time you can hopefully get a 90 day supply if you need anything like that).

One of the great things about the AT is how relatively easy resupply is, so — wallow in it and buy along the way, retaining maximal flexibility and tying yourself to minimal trail towns ahead of time.

Re-reading the question, perhaps I was misunderstanding. When you ask for a "good list", are you instead perhaps asking what sort of foods to buy at more limited stores (gas station mini-marts and the like)? Or are you asking for a list of actual places to resupply?

If the latter, get the 'Companion' (from ALDHA) or AWOL's A.T. Guide, and again, just figure that stuff out on the fly as you hike from whichever guidebook pages.

I sent myself 5 boxes I think – pretty much just winged it for each carry, much more flexible and allowed me to adjust each section as I needed without any hassle.

On the AT most utilize hostels or post offices. The advantage of hostels is that you don't have to adjust your schedule to catch the post office opens. Get a copy of the AT Data book or an AT guide such as AWOL's. They will list towns / hostels with the distance from the trail.

You can plan as much or as little as you want. Advance planning will be a pita though. Winging it works on the AT.