The golden age of American road trips gave us more than just memories—it created an iconic form of accommodation that combined convenience with mid-century charm. Drive-in motels, where you could park directly outside your room’s door, represented the freedom of the open road and the optimism of post-war America. While many of these vintage establishments have disappeared, some remarkable properties have been lovingly preserved or thoughtfully restored to offer modern travelers a delightful trip back in time.
Here are 20 retro drive-in motels across America that deserve a spot on your travel bookmark list.
Blue Swallow Motel
This Route 66 gem in Tucumcari, New Mexico, has been welcoming roadtrippers since 1939 with its distinctive neon sign and classic courtyard layout. Each room has its own garage adorned with vintage-inspired murals.
Its owners have meticulously maintained period details while adding just enough modern amenities to ensure comfort without sacrificing authenticity.
Wigwam Village Motel #6
Spend the night in a concrete teepee at this quirky landmark in Holbrook, Arizona. Built in 1950 as part of a once-nationwide chain, the 15 freestanding wigwams arranged in a semicircle create one of America’s most photographed motel scenes.
The interiors feature original hickory furniture alongside essential modern updates, creating a perfect balance of nostalgia and comfort.
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Safari Inn
Burbank, California’s iconic Safari Inn has maintained its 1955 tropical modernist aesthetic through decades of change. The striking neon sign and angular porte-cochère have appeared in numerous films and TV shows.
The rooms blend mid-century charm with contemporary amenities, creating an affordable slice of Hollywood history just minutes from major studios.
Holiday Music Motel
Door County, Wisconsin’s first motel has been transformed into a music-themed getaway that celebrates both its 1952 origins and the area’s vibrant songwriting community. The vintage radio in each room plays music recorded on-site during regular songwriting festivals.
The striking turquoise exterior and retro-style sign make it an unmistakable landmark in Sturgeon Bay.
Starlite Motel
The revitalized Starlite in Kerhonkson, New York, brings Catskills cool back to life with its carefully preserved 1960s architecture. The kidney-shaped pool and angular signage provide perfect Instagram moments for design enthusiasts.
Each room features curated vintage furnishings alongside luxury linens and locally sourced bath products, proving retro doesn’t have to mean rustic.
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Atomic Inn
Beatty, Nevada’s space-age themed motel, embraces its 1950s atomic-era heritage with rooms named after elements on the periodic table. Located near Death Valley National Park, the property maintains its mid-century footprint while adding playful design touches.
The illuminated atomic symbols and starburst decorations create a distinctly Googie aesthetic that transports guests back to the optimistic futurism of the Cold War era.
The Driftwood
This 1950s seaside motor court in Manzanita, Oregon, offers simple cabins just steps from the Pacific Ocean. The weathered cedar exteriors have aged beautifully into the coastal landscape over seven decades.
Inside, thoughtful renovations maintain the cozy simplicity of the original design while providing beach-friendly modern conveniences.
Red Caboose Motel
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania’s unique lodging option consists of 38 actual cabooses arranged around a central courtyard. Established in 1970 but celebrating an earlier railroad era, each caboose is decorated according to different historic railroad lines.
The property includes an operating miniature railroad and an authentic dining car restaurant, creating a fully immersive experience for train enthusiasts of all ages.
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Kate’s Lazy Desert
Just outside Joshua Tree, California, this collection of six meticulously restored Airstream trailers celebrates the golden age of aluminum travel with artistic flair. The B-52’s Kate Pierson and her wife have uniquely decorated each trailer.
The property’s secluded desert setting perfectly complements the futuristic yet nostalgic aesthetic of these mid-century travel icons.
The Skylark
Denver’s meticulously restored 1952 motel celebrates the automobile age with rooms named after classic American cars. The distinctive angular canopy and period-perfect neon sign create an authentic roadside motel atmosphere.
Inside, vintage furnishings mix with Rocky Mountain-inspired contemporary touches, creating spaces that honor the past without being limited by it.
El Cosmico
This Marfa, Texas, property reimagines the classic motor court with vintage trailers, tepees, and yurts spread across 21 desert acres. The beautifully restored mid-century trailers feature period-appropriate furnishings and decorative touches.
The communal spaces, including wood-fired hot tubs and hammock groves, foster the social atmosphere that characterized the best mid-century motels.
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The Shady Dell
Bisbee, Arizona’s unique vintage trailer court offers overnight stays in meticulously restored travel trailers dating from 1947-1959. Each trailer is furnished exactly as it would have been in its era, down to vintage magazines and period-appropriate radios playing original broadcasts.
The on-site diner, complete with jukebox and black-and-white checkered floor, completes the immersive time-travel experience.
Mountain Modern Motel
This reimagined motor lodge preserves its classic drive-up layout while infusing contemporary mountain style into a mid-century framework. The distinctive facade, with its grid of picture windows, highlights the architectural heritage of American motor inns.
Inside, clever space-saving features and outdoor adventure-themed decor create functional, stylish spaces designed for today’s national park explorers.
Amigo Motor Lodge
Salida, Colorado’s thoughtfully renovated 1950s motel balances preservation with modern minimalism. The classic low-slung building and central courtyard remain intact, while interiors have been refreshed with a southwestern-meets-Scandinavian aesthetic.
The property also offers renovated Airstream trailers for those seeking an even more distinctive overnight experience near the Rocky Mountains.
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Hotel McCoy
Tucson’s 1969 motor lodge has been transformed into an art hotel celebrating local creativity alongside mid-century design. The distinctive A-frame entrance and geometric breeze block walls have been preserved and highlighted through thoughtful restoration.
Inside, local art adorns walls, while the vintage pool area offers mountain views that have captivated travelers for over five decades.
Austin Motel
The suggestively shaped neon sign has made this South Congress Avenue property an Austin landmark since 1938. The kidney-shaped pool and courtyard layout preserve the classic motor court experience in the heart of Texas’s capital city.
Recent renovations added playful, retro-inspired colors and furnishings that complement rather than overwhelm the property’s inherent vintage charm.
Calistoga Motor Lodge
This northern California property maintains its 1940s roadside motel footprint while drawing design inspiration from vintage automobile culture and the great American road trip. The distinctive outdoor spaces, including mineral pools and a bocce court, encourage the community atmosphere that characterized the best mid-century motels.
Guest rooms feature whimsical touches like gas station-inspired mirrors and camper-style dining tables.
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Beck’s Motor Lodge
San Francisco’s iconic Castro district motel has maintained its distinctive 1958 exterior while updating interiors for contemporary urban travelers. The signature angular sign and geometric railings epitomize mid-century modern design.
The central courtyard, unusual in space-conscious San Francisco, provides a quiet retreat from city exploration just steps from historic streetcar lines.
The Astro
Renovated with meticulous attention to detail, this 1963 motor lodge in Santa Rosa, California, celebrates its mid-century modern architecture while offering thoroughly contemporary amenities. The distinctive zigzag roofline and period-perfect signage showcase the optimistic design language of the space age.
Inside, custom furnishings inspired by 1960s design create spaces that feel both nostalgic and fresh.
Moonrise Hotel
This St. Louis landmark takes retro inspiration to cosmic heights with its distinctive 1950s space-age design elements. The striking eight-foot rotating moon on the roof has become an architectural icon since the hotel opened in 2009 as a modern interpretation of mid-century motor lodges.
Inside, authentic vintage furnishings Blend seamlessly custom pieces inspired by the atomic era, creating spaces that feel both nostalgic and contemporary. The rooftop terrace, complete with illuminated lunar decorations, offers spectacular city views that add an extra dimension to the retro road trip experience.
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Road Trip Reimagined
These lovingly preserved and thoughtfully updated properties offer more than just a place to rest—they provide an authentic connection to America’s golden age of highway travel. The continued appeal of drive-in motels speaks to our desire for direct experiences that contrast with the increasing standardization of chain accommodations.
By supporting these independent properties, travelers help ensure that this distinctive chapter of American hospitality continues to thrive alongside our historic highways and byways.
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