What Makes a Drive-In Different from a Regular Theater
Walk-in cinemas control every variable of your experience — assigned seats, uniform audio, a screen that fills your entire field of view. Drive-in theaters flip that dynamic. You’re in your own space: your car, your setup, your snacks, your volume. The film plays on a giant outdoor screen while you watch from whatever distance and angle you prefer.
Audio comes through your car’s FM radio rather than speakers embedded in the asphalt (a few older venues still have the classic in-car speaker boxes, but they’re increasingly rare). You control the volume, and you can step out, sit on the hood, or spread a blanket on the grass without missing a scene.
Most drive-ins run double features — two full-length films back-to-back for a single admission price. Shows start at dusk, roughly 8:30–9:30 PM depending on the season and your latitude. Admission typically runs $8–$15 per adult and $5–$8 per child — far less than a multiplex ticket for a single film. Many theaters are cash-preferred at the box office, so bring some even if you normally go cashless.
Drive-in theaters are concentrated in states with warm summers and wide open land. You’ll find the largest clusters in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and throughout the Midwest and South. Use our interactive map to find one near you tonight.
Arriving Early: The Single Biggest Factor in Your Experience
First rule of drive-in: arrive early. This isn’t optional advice — it’s the one variable that most consistently separates a great night from a frustrating one.
Gates typically open 60–90 minutes before dusk. On summer Fridays and Saturdays, the best spots — centered in front of the screen at mid-distance — fill within the first 20 minutes of gates opening. The worst spots are far off to the sides, where the screen appears skewed and image colors wash out at the edges.
Choosing Your Spot
Aim for center-horizontal and roughly one-third to halfway back in the lot. Too close and the image overwhelms your field of view; too far back and you’ll struggle to read subtitles. Most lots are gently elevated toward the rear to compensate for distance — the far rows are often better than first-timers expect.
If you drive an SUV, truck, or van, check whether the theater has a designated section for tall vehicles. Sitting a lifted pickup directly behind lower sedans blocks the view for every car behind you. Good drive-in citizens self-sort by height without being asked.
Orienting Your Car
Park nose-forward facing the screen. If you want to watch from an open tailgate or hatch, you can back in — but only if your vehicle is low enough not to obstruct the cars behind you. Decide before you pull in; rearranging once the lot fills creates a traffic headache for everyone. The Bengies Drive-In Theatre in Baltimore, Maryland — the largest remaining drive-in in the United States — has a lot big enough that spot selection genuinely changes the experience. Their website publishes lot maps to help first-timers plan ahead.
Setting Up Your FM Radio for Drive-In Sound
Nearly every drive-in theater in the United States broadcasts its audio over a dedicated FM frequency — usually somewhere in the 87.9–107.9 MHz range. The frequency is posted on a sign at the entrance, on each theater’s page here on DriveInGuide, and on the theater’s own website. Look it up before you leave home so you’re not hunting for it in the dark.
Tuning Your Car Radio
Once parked, tune your stereo to the correct frequency before previews start. Set the volume to a level you can hear clearly without sound bleeding through the windows into neighboring cars. Use your car’s accessory mode (ignition on, engine off) to run the radio without idling — your neighbors will appreciate the quiet.
Managing Your Battery Through a Double Feature
A healthy car battery in accessory mode typically lasts 2–4 hours. For a full double feature (4–5 hours), plan ahead:
- Run the engine for 10–15 minutes during the intermission to recharge
- Bring a portable jump starter — smart habit regardless of the drive-in
- Turn off heated seats, cabin lights, and any accessories you're not using
- Use a portable Bluetooth speaker with a battery-powered FM receiver instead of your car stereo
The Skyview Drive-In in Litchfield, Illinois and the Tibbs Drive-In in Indianapolis, Indiana both list their FM frequencies on their theater pages — useful for confirming the frequency before you leave home.
What to Bring — The Short Version
You’ll be sitting (or sprawling) for 4–5 hours. Comfort is everything. Here are the essentials at a glance:
For a full category-by-category breakdown — including what to pack for kids, pets, and audio setup outside the car — see our complete What to Bring to a Drive-In checklist →
Food: What You Can Bring and Why the Snack Bar Matters
One of the biggest advantages of a drive-in over an indoor cinema: you can bring your own food. Most drive-in theaters explicitly welcome outside snacks and drinks. Bring a cooler, pack your favorites, and settle in. Always confirm the specific theater’s policy before you arrive — a small number do restrict certain items.
That said, the concession stand is the heartbeat of nearly every drive-in operation. Admission prices are kept low because food sales make up the difference. Classic drive-in fare — hot dogs, burgers, nachos, freshly popped popcorn, soft-serve ice cream — is part of the ritual. Buying a round of popcorn and drinks is one of the most direct ways to keep your local outdoor cinema alive.
The Family Drive-In in Stephens City, Virginia and the StarDust Drive-In in Watertown, South Dakota both have beloved on-site concessions that regulars consider part of the reason to go. Browse drive-ins in Virginia or South Dakota to find theater pages with full concession details.
A note on alcohol
Outside alcohol policies vary by state law and theater preference. Many theaters allow it; others are family-friendly venues that explicitly prohibit it. Check the theater’s website or call ahead if this matters for your group.
The Double Feature: How It Works
Most drive-ins schedule two films per screen per night. The pairing usually puts the family-friendly or newer release first, with the second film being somewhat older or more adult-oriented — so parents can depart with sleeping children after film one.
The intermission between features runs 15–25 minutes — long enough for a concession run, a restroom visit, and a chance to let the kids stretch. Many theaters play vintage intermission films during this break: the kind featuring animated hot dogs strolling toward a dancing popcorn bucket. It’s a deliberate nod to the golden age of drive-in cinema (1950s–60s) and one of the most charming parts of the experience.
You’re never obligated to stay for the second feature. Some regulars arrive specifically for the second (later) showing to skip the early family crowd. If you do leave during a film, do so during an outdoor scene break, use only your parking lights, and exit slowly.
Drive-In Etiquette: Being a Good Neighbor
Drive-in theaters run on informal etiquette that keeps the experience good for hundreds of people at once. Most of it is instinctive once you understand the environment.
Keep your headlights off — always
This is the cardinal rule. Once parked, switch your headlights completely off. A single pair of headlights pointed at the screen ruins the experience for every car behind you. Use only side marker lights if you need to be visible. If you must leave during a showing, use parking lights only and reverse slowly.
Watch your radio volume
Keep windows mostly closed once the film starts. Sound from your stereo bleeds through open windows into neighboring cars, especially during quiet scenes. A comfortable volume inside your own car is the correct level.
Arrive before dark; leave between films
Late arrivals sweeping headlights across the lot are the most common complaint at drive-ins. If you arrive after dark, do so during a bright outdoor scene and use parking lights only. The intermission is the ideal time to leave early.
Stay within your own spot
Folding chairs, blankets on the hood, full tailgate setups — all welcome. Keep them within your marked space and don't obstruct the sightlines of cars in the row behind you.
Mind your phone screen
A bright phone screen in a dark lot is surprisingly distracting to neighbors. If you need to check your phone, cup it low and reduce brightness, or wait for a lit outdoor scene.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should I arrive at a drive-in movie theater?
Aim to arrive 30–60 minutes before gates open, especially on weekend nights in summer. Gates typically open 60–90 minutes before dusk, and the best centered spots in the lot fill quickly. Arriving early also gives you time to visit the concession stand and get settled before the first film starts.
How do I hear the audio at a drive-in theater?
Most drive-in theaters broadcast their audio over a dedicated FM radio frequency—usually in the 87.9–107.9 MHz range. The frequency is posted at the entrance and on the theater's website. Tune your car radio to that frequency before the show starts. If you plan to sit outside, a portable FM radio or a phone with an FM receiver works well.
Can you bring your own food to a drive-in?
Most drive-in theaters allow outside food and drinks—a major advantage over indoor cinemas. Always check the individual theater's policy before you arrive. Even if outside food is permitted, buying something from the concession stand is a meaningful way to support the theater, since concessions are usually the primary revenue source.
Do drive-in movies get cancelled if it rains?
Light rain rarely cancels a drive-in showing—you're watching from inside your car, after all. Most theaters only cancel for severe weather, lightning, or high winds. Many post real-time updates on their Facebook page or recorded phone hotline. It's worth checking both if storms are in the forecast before you head out.
Ready to Find a Drive-In Near You?
Use our interactive map to find open drive-in theaters near your location. Filter by status, check FM frequencies, and read visitor reviews before you go.