8 Drive-In Theaters Still Operating in the U.S.

Estimates of how many drive-ins remain in America vary by source. One 2026 roundup puts the total at roughly 300, with about 177 operating across 25 states. The numbers shift because some venues run seasonally, close, or reopen under new owners.

The eight theaters below are a mix of long-running landmarks and revivals. Each one was confirmed in recent listings, though schedules change, so check before you drive out.

Silver Moon Drive-In, Lakeland, Florida

The Silver Moon in Lakeland is described as Florida’s longest continuously operating drive-in, and it has been an outdoor cinema since 1948. That makes it older than most of the country’s surviving screens.

Florida’s history with the format goes deep. The first drive-in in the state opened in Miami in 1938, and only five traditional ones remain today. Silver Moon is the one with the longest unbroken run.

Starlight Drive-In, Atlanta, Georgia

The Starlight Drive-in on the outskirts of Atlanta is the best known in Georgia, and it has shown movies outdoors since 1949. It’s a big, busy place, not a sleepy roadside relic.

Another list notes that the Atlanta location also hosts a flea market on weekends. Starlight is also tied to a chain. Many outdoor theaters operate under the West Wind and Starlight names, which are among the country’s most popular drive-in brands.

Tee Pee Drive-In, Sapulpa, Oklahoma

Tee Pee Drive-In sits on an old alignment of U.S. Route 66 in Sapulpa and has room for 400 cars on a single screen. It was built in 1949 and opened on May 5, 1950.

The theater hasn’t run continuously. Its listed active years are 1950 to 1982, 1983 to 1999, and 2023 to the present. That makes it a revival story, and a good stop for anyone driving the old highway.

Transit Drive-In, Lockport, New York

With five screens, Transit is among the biggest drive-ins still running in New York, and it has been showing movies since 1952. You’ll find it at 6655 S Transit Rd in Lockport.

The multiple screens give visitors several double feature combinations to choose from during the season. New York is also a strong state for the format. One source says it leads the country with 30 outdoor theaters.

Warwick Drive-In, Warwick, New York

Warwick has been family run since 1977, and its original gates first opened in 1950. Ownership that stays in the family is unusual in this business.

Three screens operate during the season, and the theater advertises nightly operation. It draws crowds in the Hudson Valley looking for an outdoor movie night.

Vintage Drive In, Avon, New York

Vintage has four screens and room for 540 cars, and it sits at 1520 W Henrietta Rd, an easy drive south of Rochester. That puts it among the larger drive-ins in the state.

Double features run rain or shine, and gates open at dusk. It runs seasonally, and its September 2026 schedule centered on Friday through Sunday nights.

Historic Route 11 Drive-In, Stephens City, Virginia

The theater opened in 1956 and has two screens, each playing two films back to back. William F. Dalke Jr. built it, and it opened on June 14, 1956.

Its recent history is the interesting part. It closed in 2025 as the Family Drive-In after a failed fundraising effort, then an investor announced a 2026 reopening, and it was rebranded because the previous owner wouldn’t allow the old name. It’s one of only six drive-ins still operating in Virginia.

Wellfleet Drive-In, Wellfleet, Massachusetts

Wellfleet is the only drive-in in the Cape Cod area, and it has been open since the late 1950s. A drive-in on a vacation peninsula is an unusual find.

The listing comes from an older roundup of the country’s best drive-ins, so confirm the current season and showtimes before you go. For a Cape Cod trip, it’s an easy evening plan once the beach day ends.