Drive-ins aren’t just a piece of nostalgia — you may even have one within driving distance of your home.
Like indoor movie houses, drive-ins have seen ticket costs inch upward due to inflation. Still, they typically represent a solid value.
A family of four can usually buy tickets at many drive-ins for under $30. (By comparison, expect to pay upward of $50 at a large chain like AMC.) Many drive-ins provide free or reduced-price admission for small children — and sometimes discounts for seniors and military personnel. Some establishments let you bring your own food for a modest fee, often between $5 and $10 per vehicle.
Use our searchable chart below to locate a drive-in near you. DriveInMovie.com also keeps an up-to-date directory of drive-in theaters.
Below are a number of drive-in movie suggestions to help you get the best possible experience at your local outdoor cinema.
Tips to Help You Have a Blast At Your Local Drive-In Movie Theater
You might be thinking: “How hard can it be to park a car and watch a big screen?”
It’s not complicated. But if you want to be comfortable and make the evening as enjoyable as possible, here are tips from visitors and staff at the Lakeland, Florida-based Silver Moon Drive-In Theater. Also consider checking listings for silver moon drive in movie theater for more details.
Always verify specifics with the drive-in you plan to visit before heading out.
1. Arrive Early and Park Near the Exit
As a more affordable and often more socially distant option compared with traditional indoor theaters, drive-ins have enjoyed a resurgence. The Silver Moon’s site specifically suggests arriving early.
First, you’ll avoid long queues of cars and save gas. Second, you increase your chances of getting a spot close to the exit so you don’t get stuck in the slow-moving departure after the double feature ends.
2. Bring a Portable Radio and Spare Batteries
Picture this: you’re on a classic date night and everything is going perfectly — until the movie ends and your car won’t start because the battery’s drained.
Avoid that mishap by packing a small radio with extra batteries. Drive-ins transmit film audio via radio signals, and relying on your car’s stereo can sap the battery.
Plus, if you plan to lounge in lawn chairs on the bed of a pickup or behind your vehicle, a handheld radio is necessary to hear the soundtrack.
As an alternative, you can periodically start your car every 30 minutes or so and let it run for a few minutes to keep the battery charged.
3. Pack Insect Repellent
Mosquitoes and other bugs are a summer nuisance.
Since you’ll be outdoors for several hours — whether relaxing in chairs or with the windows down in your car — be sure to bring bug spray to keep the critters at bay.
4. Expect a Long Evening
Check your local drive-in’s schedule or call ahead when planning your outing. Many places feature double bills for the price of one ticket. That’s a lengthy evening of films, so consider bringing kids’ pajamas and pillows in case they nod off before the last showing.
5. Dress for Comfort
One of the perks of a drive-in: no one’s judging your outfit.
Throw on pajamas for a cozy evening, or come in costume if you feel like embracing the fun — you’ll be as comfortable as you want.
6. Carry Some Cash
Remember the days when people paid with paper bills?
Drive-ins often evoke a sense of simpler times — and that can extend to payment options. Bring some cash in case the venue doesn’t accept credit cards or contactless payments.
Now that you’ve picked up a few pro tips, all that’s missing is a cherry-red ’50s convertible to complete the scene. Just kidding — any car will do.
Methodology: We used Google Maps’ API to compile data on drive-ins across the United States and confirmed which locations were open or intended to operate during the summer of 2023.
Jordan Reynolds is a former data reporter at Savinly. Multimedia Content Creator Chris Zuppa contributed data work and updates for this piece.
