America’s oldest continuously operating drive-in opened in 1934, and it still shows movies today. The first screenings there were projected onto a sheet hung between poles.
I love that a backyard-style setup grew into something that has outlasted generations of moviegoers.
Thousands of drive-ins once dotted the country. Most are gone now, replaced by shopping centers, housing, and multiplexes.
A surprising number of survivors are clustered in places with cold winters and short summers.
That makes these theaters fun to track down. You get a movie, a snack bar, and the freedom to talk during the previews without anyone shushing you.
Many still run double features, which feels like a real bargain on a summer night.
So which states held on the tightest? New York leads the pack, and a few of the others on this list might catch you off guard.
Counts shift by season and source, so treat these numbers as close estimates.
1. New York, 28 Drive-In Theaters
Outdoor movies are not just a Southern habit, and New York proves it with roughly 28 operating drive-ins. That’s the highest count in the country by most estimates.
The Hudson Valley is a hot spot. The Four Brothers Drive-In in Amenia sits in a rural stretch near the Connecticut line and pairs movies with a snack bar menu.
The Warwick Drive-In in Warwick runs multiple screens, so you can pick between films on the same night.
Head west and the tradition keeps going. The Transit Drive-In in Lockport, near Buffalo, is a multi-screen operation that has served western New York for decades.
Seasons matter here. Most New York drive-ins open in spring and close in fall, so check schedules before you load up the car.
Bring a blanket even in summer, since upstate evenings can turn chilly once the sun drops.
Small towns across the state still treat a drive-in night as a regular outing, which helps explain the strong numbers.
2. Pennsylvania, 26 Drive-In Theaters
Back in 1934, a man named Wilson Shankweiler opened a drive-in near Orefield. Shankweiler’s Drive-In is still running, and it’s recognized as the oldest continuously operating drive-in theater in America.
That alone gives Pennsylvania serious bragging rights. The state follows close behind New York with about 26 drive-ins, a remarkable number for a place with snowy winters.
Becky’s Drive-In near Walnutport is another Lehigh Valley name worth knowing. It’s known for double features, so one ticket can stretch into a long, relaxed evening.
Why does Pennsylvania have so many survivors? Plenty of open land and small-town loyalty likely help.
Many of these theaters are family-run and have stayed in the same hands for years.
Plan on visiting between spring and early fall. Sound usually comes through your car radio, so make sure your battery is in good shape before a double feature.
A trip to Shankweiler’s lets you sit where drive-in history quite literally began.
3. Ohio, 24 Drive-In Theaters
Ohio weather can swing from sunny to stormy in an afternoon, yet the state keeps around 24 drive-ins in business. That kind of loyalty deserves a round of applause.
In Columbus, the South Drive-In has been a fixture on the city’s south side for decades. Up north, the Aut-O-Rama Twin Drive-In in North Ridgeville serves the Cleveland area with two screens.
Having two screens is handy. If one feature doesn’t appeal, the other might, and kids and adults can often find something that works for everyone in the car.
Ohio families have a well-worn routine for these nights. Pack lawn chairs, grab pillows, and arrive early to claim a good spot near the center of the screen.
Rain checks policies vary by theater, so look them up before heading out on an iffy evening. Some Ohio drive-ins also host flea markets or special events on weekends, giving the lots a second life in daylight.
4. Indiana, 19 Drive-In Theaters
How many screens can one drive-in hold? At the Tibbs Drive-In in Indianapolis, the answer is four, which makes it one of the larger outdoor theaters in the Midwest.
Indiana keeps about 19 drive-ins running. That’s a strong showing for a state better known for basketball and racing.
Down in southern Indiana, the Holiday Drive-In in Rockport also offers multiple screens. Visitors can choose from several movies at one location, a nice perk for families with different tastes.
These theaters offer a budget-friendly alternative to indoor cinemas. Admission often covers a double feature, and concession stands typically serve classics like popcorn, hot dogs, and nachos.
Summer is prime time, though some Indiana drive-ins open as early as March. Arrive before sunset to get settled, since the first film usually starts once it’s fully dark.
For a road trip through the Hoosier State, a drive-in stop makes an easy and inexpensive evening plan.
5. Texas, 16 Drive-In Theaters
Everything is supposed to be bigger in Texas, and the drive-in lots certainly have room to spread out. The state holds roughly 16 operating outdoor theaters.
The Galaxy Drive-In in Ennis, south of Dallas, runs several screens and draws moviegoers from the Metroplex. Near San Antonio, the Stars and Stripes Drive-In in New Braunfels leans into a retro, all-American theme.
Weather gives Texas a real edge. Mild temperatures across much of the state let many drive-ins operate well beyond the short summer seasons common up north.
Pickup trucks are a big part of the Texas drive-in scene. Backing in and setting up chairs in the truck bed is a popular way to watch, but check each theater’s rules about parking and tailgate setups.
Summer evenings can stay hot, so bring water and a small fan. Bug spray is smart too.
Stars and Stripes also has a location in Lubbock, giving West Texas a slice of the action.
6. California, 15 Drive-In Theaters
Car culture and Hollywood both grew up in California, so it’s fitting that drive-ins still have a home here. The state has about 15 left.
The West Wind Sacramento 6 Drive-In runs six screens, giving you plenty of choices on a single night. In San Diego, the South Bay Drive-In operates three screens close to the Mexico border.
West Wind also hosts a swap meet on some days at certain locations. It’s a practical way these large lots stay busy when the projectors are off.
California’s mild climate helps theaters run longer seasons. Some locations show movies year-round, though coastal evenings can get foggy and cool.
Picking a spot matters on busy nights. Taller vehicles are often asked to park toward the back or sides so smaller cars still get a clear view.
For a fun nod to history, remember that many California drive-ins once showed the same studio films being made just a few hours away.
7. Tennessee, 13 Drive-In Theaters
Watertown, Tennessee, has fewer than 2,000 residents, yet it hosts the Stardust Drive-In. That small-town setting fits the state’s drive-in personality perfectly.
Tennessee keeps about 13 outdoor theaters open. Many sit in rural areas where a movie night doubles as a scenic country drive.
The Montana Drive-In in Estill Springs is another long-running option in Middle Tennessee. It’s an easy trip from Tullahoma and Manchester, making it handy for families in that area.
The Stardust has multiple screens and has become a regular summer outing for people coming from the Nashville area. Watertown itself is about an hour east of downtown Nashville.
Drive-ins in Tennessee tend to feel relaxed and unhurried. Getting there is part of the fun, especially when the route passes farmland and rolling hills.
Bring cash just in case, since some smaller theaters still prefer it at the gate or concession stand.
8. Illinois, 9 Drive-In Theaters
Route 66 runs right past the Skyview Drive-In in Litchfield, which first opened in 1950. A movie there comes with a big serving of roadside nostalgia.
Illinois has about nine drive-ins still running. The Skyview is a favorite stop for travelers tracing the Mother Road across the state.
In central Illinois, the Harvest Moon Twin Drive-In in Gibson City offers two screens. The surrounding farmland makes it feel far removed from a city multiplex.
Gibson City sits roughly halfway between Champaign and Bloomington. That makes Harvest Moon a reasonable drive for college students and families in both areas.
Route 66 fans can easily build a whole trip around these theaters. Pair a daytime stop at historic sights along the road with an evening at the Skyview for a fitting finish.
Like most Midwestern drive-ins, both theaters operate seasonally. Check showtimes before you go, since schedules can change with weather and film releases.
9. Missouri, 9 Drive-In Theaters
The name says it all. The 66 Drive-In Theatre in Carthage opened in 1949 along historic Route 66 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Missouri ties Illinois with about nine drive-ins. The state’s long love of roadside attractions makes these theaters feel right at home.
In nearby Lamar, the Barco Drive-In offers another chance to watch movies under the open sky. Lamar is also known as the birthplace of President Harry S.
Truman, a fun bonus for history buffs.
Southwestern Missouri is great for a mini road trip. You could spend the day exploring Carthage and finish with a double feature at the 66.
The theater’s vintage look is a big draw for photographers and Route 66 travelers. Get there before dark to snap photos of the screen tower and sign.
Both theaters run seasonally, so spring through fall is the best window to visit.
10. Colorado, 8 Drive-In Theaters
Mountain views and movie screens make a strong combo in Colorado. The state has around eight drive-ins, several with the Rockies in the distance.
The Holiday Twin Drive-In in Fort Collins is a well-known stop with two screens. The foothills sit just west of town, adding a scenic backdrop before the sun sets.
Near Denver, the 88 Drive-In Theatre in Commerce City has served the metro area for decades. It offers multiple screens and is one of the closest drive-ins to the state capital.
Colorado nights can cool quickly, even in July. Altitude plays a role, so pack jackets and blankets no matter how warm the afternoon felt.
The state is famous for hiking and skiing. Still, a laid-back movie night can be a welcome break after a long day on the trails.
Fort Collins makes a handy base, with plenty of restaurants nearby for dinner before the show.
11. Wisconsin, 8 Drive-In Theaters
Long summer evenings in Wisconsin practically beg you to stay outside. The state uses them well, keeping about eight drive-ins running.
The Big Sky Drive-In sits near Wisconsin Dells, one of the busiest family vacation areas in the Midwest. After a day of water parks, a movie from your car is an easy way to wind down.
The Highway 18 Outdoor Theatre in Jefferson offers a more rural take. It’s located between Madison and Milwaukee, so it’s reachable from both cities.
Wisconsin’s drive-in season is short. Most theaters open in late spring and close by early fall, so summer weekends fill the calendar fast.
Mosquitoes can be a real nuisance near lakes and woods. Bring repellent, and consider keeping windows partly up during the feature.
Families visiting the Dells can easily fit Big Sky into a vacation itinerary, making a fun evening without much extra planning.
12. Alabama, 7 Drive-In Theaters
Not every drive-in on this list dates back to the 1950s. Alabama’s Grand River Drive-In in Leeds is part of a newer entertainment development near Birmingham.
That fresh approach shows the drive-in idea still has life. Alabama has several outdoor theaters that continue to keep the tradition alive.
On the other end of the spectrum is the 411 Twin Drive-In Theater and Grill in Centre. Originally opened in 1953 and revived in 2001, it offers a classic two-screen setup that longtime fans will recognize.
Centre sits in northeast Alabama near Weiss Lake, an area known for its scenic countryside and outdoor recreation. The drive-in gives local families a chance to enjoy double features under the stars, with an on-site grill serving food and snacks.
Alabama’s warm climate allows a longer season than many northern states. Even so, schedules can shift in the cooler months.
Visiting both theaters gives you a neat side-by-side look at old and new drive-in styles in one state.
13. Florida, 7 Drive-In Theaters
Warm evenings almost year-round make Florida a natural fit for outdoor movies. Around seven drive-ins remain in the Sunshine State.
The Ocala Drive-In in Ocala is a recognizable example of the traditional format. It first opened in 1948 and offers double features on its screens.
Ocala is in central Florida’s horse country. That makes the drive-in a handy stop for travelers heading between Orlando and Gainesville.
Florida’s drive-ins show how the business keeps changing. Some properties mix movies with flea markets or other events to stay busy during the day.
Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer. They often pass before dark, but it’s wise to check the forecast and the theater’s rain policy.
Since winter here is mild, Florida drive-ins can be a fun holiday-season outing when theaters up north are closed for the year.
14. Kentucky, 7 Drive-In Theaters
Horse farms and drive-ins share the Bluegrass region of Kentucky. The state holds about seven outdoor theaters, many in smaller communities.
The Georgetown Drive-In in Georgetown sits just north of Lexington. It offers the kind of easygoing moviegoing that first made drive-ins catch on.
A short drive east, the Bourbon Drive-In operates in Paris, Kentucky. It’s another classic destination in the heart of horse country.
Both theaters are close enough to Lexington for a quick evening trip. Pair a daytime visit to a horse farm tour with a movie after dark for a full day.
Kentucky summers can be humid. Lightweight chairs and bug spray will make the night more comfortable.
Smaller towns in the state still treat the drive-in as a familiar summer spot, which has helped these theaters survive when others closed.
15. Maine, 7 Drive-In Theaters
Long winters haven’t stopped Maine from keeping about seven drive-ins alive. That’s a surprising showing for northern New England.
The Saco Drive-In traces its history to 1939, making it one of the earliest in the country. It later moved to a newer location but kept the tradition going.
In the Lakes Region, the Bridgton Twin Drive-In offers another seasonal option. It’s a handy stop for families vacationing near Maine’s many lakes.
The season here is short. Most Maine drive-ins open in late spring and close by early fall, so plan summer trips around them.
Evenings cool off quickly, even in August. Pack sweatshirts and blankets so you can stay cozy through a double feature.
Watching a movie surrounded by pine trees is a fine way to cap a day at the beach or lake, and it shows that even far north, the drive-in tradition still has fans.
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