7 Famous Drive-Thrus and Drive-Ins
7 Famous Drive-Thrus and Drive-Ins
Let’s go back to a land before Starbucks became a daily fixture. The concept of drive-thru meals and services changed forever the way that traveler eat and drink. It was no longer necessary to park and enter a restaurant or a store, as drivers could just order what they wanted and have it handed to them through the driver’s side window. This reduced the time needed to stop for meals on long road trips. What are some of the more famous spots where you could drive through a bit of history?
- In-N-Out Burger – Baldwin Park, California
Original location: 13900 Francisquito Ave, Baldwin Park, California
This opened in 1948 as California’s first drive-thru hamburger stand. Drivers used a two-way speaker—revolutionary at the time. While the original location was demolished to make way for a freeway, a replica of the original location, functioning as a museum, exists at 13766 Francisquito Ave in Baldwin Park, where you can see original artifacts and the first menu.
- Oasis Drive-IN – 22 1/2 Argyle Street South,Caledonia, Ontario, Canada
Yep, they have drive-ins north of the border. This location is famous for likely being the first drive-in in Canada. It has been operating since 1927! Check your calendar before making the trek north, as it is only open seasonally from April to November.
- Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive in – Route 66 – Seligman, Arizona
This neon-soaked Route 66 icon was built in 1957. Enjoy the outrageous décor and quirky humor (“Sorry, we’re open!”) both in the signage and in the service. Customers have been asked if they want cheese on their cheeseburger. Others have asked for a straw and been given an actual straw.
- Maid-Rite Sandwich Shop – Springfield, Illinois
Need another stop along Route 66? This one claims to be the oldest drive-thru in the United States, opening in 1924. Their signature item is a "loose meat" sandwich of seasoned ground beef, not a patty, served on a bun with pickles and mustard.
- Sonic Drive-In – Shawnee, Oklahoma
The oldest operating Sonic Drive-In is generally considered the one in Stillwater, Oklahoma, which opened in 1958/1959 as the first franchised location and the first to bear the "Sonic" name after the original Shawnee Top Hat Drive-In changed its branding to Sonic. Sonic didn’t just serve cars — it served them fast, often with carhops on roller skates!
- McDonalds – Downey, California
The oldest operating McDonald's in the world is found in Downey, California (10207 Lakewood Blvd). It is the third McDonald's ever built, opened in 1953, and retains its original Googie architecture, neon sign with Speedee, and serves unique items like deep-fried apple pies, acting as a historic landmark and tourist spot.
- Whataburger – 6106 Cameron Road, Austin, Texas
This burger stand opened in 1950 in Corpus Christi with the goal of serving a burger that it took two hands to hold. They make each burger to order, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Although the original location is no longer open, you can see an example of the original A-frame design in Austin, Texas.
We understand that many other favorites are not included here (e.g. A & W, Daily Queen, and White Castle), so feel free to explore, research, and start your own list.
These spots aren’t just places to eat — they’re living, breathing pieces of automotive and cultural history. From the early days of car culture in the 1920s to the blossoming fast-food boom of the 1950s and beyond, these drive-thrus capture something uniquely North American (and Canadian) about convenience, community, and classic comfort food.
Whether you’re planning a road trip or just want to savor a bit of nostalgia, these legendary drive-thrus are worth the detour.
Did you know that some cities do not allow drive thrus? For example, San Luis Obispo, a city on the central coast of California, banned drive-thru services in 1982, and that 40-year ban is still in effect!
At NHSA, our goal is to provide online driver education courses that equip all drivers with what they need to be safe drivers. Whether you are a teen seeking a learner’s permit, or an adult driver seeking a basic driver safety course, check us out online to see what courses are available in your state!