What to Bring to a Drive-In Movie: The Complete Checklist

The Quick-Glance Checklist

Running late? Here’s the short version. The rest of this guide goes deeper into each category.

Car Comfort: Setting Up Your Space

You’ll spend 4–5 hours in or around your car. Comfort isn’t a luxury — it determines whether you make it to the end of the second feature. The golden rule: always bring more layers than you think you need.

Blankets and Pillows

Even on a warm summer evening, temperatures drop noticeably after 10 PM. Bring one blanket per person minimum — two if you run cold. A few throw pillows make the back seat or truck bed dramatically more comfortable for long viewings. If you’re watching from the trunk of an SUV, bring a sleeping bag or camping pad.

Chairs and Tables for Outside the Car

Most drive-in theaters are completely fine with you sitting outside your car — on the hood, in folding chairs beside the vehicle, or on a blanket in front. The only rule is to stay within your own marked parking space so you don’t obstruct sightlines for cars behind you.

Compact folding camp chairs pack flat and fit in any trunk. A small folding table is useful for snacks and drinks if you’re setting up outside. Theaters like the Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre in Orefield, Pennsylvania — the oldest operating drive-in in the United States — have wide, grassy areas between rows that invite full tailgate setups.

Bug Spray

This is genuinely essential from late spring through early fall in most parts of the country. Drive-ins are open-air venues, often near fields or treelines. DEET-based sprays provide the strongest protection; picaridin is a good non-DEET alternative that won’t damage fabric or plastic surfaces. Apply before you leave the car for intermission.

Audio Setup: Getting the Sound Right

Audio makes or breaks a drive-in experience. The good news: modern drive-in sound is genuinely excellent once you know how to access it.

Finding and Using the FM Frequency

Every drive-in theater lists its FM broadcast frequency at the entrance and on its website. You can also find it on each theater’s page here on DriveInGuide. Look it up before you leave home — you’ll find it noted alongside screen count and admission info on pages like the Skyview Drive-In in Litchfield, Illinois or the Tibbs Drive-In in Indianapolis, Indiana. Browse theaters in Illinois or Indiana to find FM details for your local options.

Listening Outside the Car

If you plan to sit outside in chairs or on the hood, you have a few options:

• ▸A portable AM/FM radio with headphone jack — basic and reliable
• ▸A Bluetooth speaker paired with a phone running an FM radio app (where supported)
• ▸A battery-powered FM receiver that you tune to the theater frequency and plug into a Bluetooth speaker

Battery and Power Tips

A healthy car battery in accessory mode lasts roughly 2–4 hours. For a double feature, run the engine for 10–15 minutes during the intermission. A portable jump starter in the trunk is a sensible precaution for any evening outing. If you rely on your car stereo for audio, turn off heated seats, cabin lights, and other draws you don’t need.

Food and Drinks: What to Pack

What to Pack in Your Cooler

Drive-in-friendly foods are things you can eat in the dark without utensils. Think finger foods: sandwiches, wraps, chips, fruit, cheese and crackers, brownies. Avoid anything that requires a knife or that spills easily in a darkened car. A small insulated cooler keeps drinks cold through the second feature without being bulky.

Outside Food Policies

Most drive-in theaters explicitly allow outside food and drinks — a significant advantage over indoor cinemas. Always confirm on the specific theater’s website before you arrive. Theaters like the Bengies Drive-In Theatre in Baltimore, Maryland and the Family Drive-In in Stephens City, Virginia both post their outside food policies clearly on their websites.

The Concession Stand — Worth Supporting

Even if you bring your own snacks, consider buying something at the stand. Concession sales are the primary revenue source for most independent drive-ins, which operate on thin margins. A hot dog, a bag of popcorn, or a round of sodas goes a long way toward keeping your local outdoor cinema running.

Classic drive-in fare — freshly popped popcorn, nachos with cheese, hot dogs, soft-serve — tastes better at 11 PM under the stars than it has any right to. The concession break is part of the experience.

Tech and Practical Items

Bringing Kids to the Drive-In

Drive-in theaters are extraordinarily family-friendly — kids under 5 are often free, and the enclosed-car format means you can handle fussiness, feedings, and early bedtimes without disturbing other patrons. The StarDust Drive-In in Watertown, South Dakota is a good example of a venue that programs specifically with families in mind, putting the kid-friendly film first and the later feature second.

Car Seat Setup

Install car seats before you arrive so you can focus on finding a good spot when you pull in. For older toddlers and young children, a booster with a good view angle makes a big difference. If the seat blocks their sight line to the screen, try parking on a slightly elevated row.

Intermission Activities

The 15–25 minute intermission is golden time for kids. Let them run around the car, visit the concession stand, and use the restrooms. Bring a simple activity — sticker books, small games, or coloring pages — for the rare child who won’t sit still for a second film.

If They Fall Asleep

It happens — often with the first film barely half over. This is the drive-in’s secret advantage: a sleeping child is a sleeping child. Recline their seat, cover them with a blanket, and keep watching. You can carry them directly to their bed when you get home. Bring their pajamas so the transition is seamless.

Bringing Pets to the Drive-In

Many drive-in theaters welcome leashed dogs — and a few even host dedicated “pet nights.” Always check the specific theater’s pet policy before bringing your animal. This information is usually posted on the theater’s website or can be confirmed with a quick phone call.

What to Pack for Your Dog

• ▸Leash — required at all pet-friendly venues, no exceptions
• ▸Collapsible water bowl and a water bottle
• ▸Waste bags for cleanup during intermission walks
• ▸A familiar blanket or travel bed so they settle quickly
• ▸Treats for keeping them calm during loud film moments

Pet Etiquette

Keep dogs in or directly beside your car at all times. Allowing your dog to roam between vehicles creates safety issues and upsets neighboring patrons. If your dog is prone to barking at loud sounds, a drive-in may not be the right outing — action films with car chases and explosions are a lot for an anxious animal.

The Full Packing Checklist

Print this list or screenshot it before your next visit. Everything you need for a perfect drive-in night, organized by category.

Frequently Asked Questions