16 Retro Motels That Capture the Glory Days of the Great American Road Trip for Indianans

There was a time when a road trip felt like freedom. You rolled down the windows, followed the map, and stayed wherever the neon signs looked the friendliest.

Retro motels were part of the magic. They were cozy, colorful, and always had a spot to park right outside your door.

Some of those motels are still around, full of vintage charm and stories to tell. And staying in one feels like stepping back into a simpler, sunnier version of America that Indianans love.

The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico

If you’ve ever driven Route 66, you’ve probably seen the sign. The Blue Swallow has been glowing in pink and blue since the 1940s.

Each room has its own garage. The beds are cozy, the chairs are vintage, and the charm is baked into every corner.

Travelers still take photos under the neon. Some stay just for the nostalgia. Others come back year after year.

It’s one of the last true motor courts still doing things the old way.

The Safari Inn in Burbank, California

This motel has been featured in more movies than most actors. That retro sign with the tall lettering? Pure postcard material.

The Safari Inn opened in the 1950s and never lost its style. The rooms are updated, but the vibe is still vintage.

It’s a short drive from old movie studios and even closer to roadside diners that haven’t changed since the Kennedy years.

If you want a stay that feels like stepping into a scene, this is it.

The Thunderbird Inn in Savannah, Georgia

At check-in, they hand you a MoonPie and a cold RC Cola. It’s not a gimmick—it’s tradition.

The Thunderbird Inn leans into its retro roots. The sign, the colors, the rooms—they’re all proudly stuck in the past.

You’ll find metal patio chairs, checkerboard floors, and a snack bar straight out of 1962.

It’s quirky in all the right ways and a favorite for road trippers who want something with personality.

The Austin Motel in Austin, Texas

The Austin Motel opened in 1938, and its look hasn’t changed much since the 1960s.

The sign is iconic. The pool is shaped like a keyhole. And the rooms are bold, bright, and packed with retro patterns.

It’s walking distance from vintage shops and taco joints. At night, the street buzzes with live music and neon light.

This is the kind of place where you check in for one night and end up wishing you had a week.

The Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona

They’re not tents. They’re solid concrete wigwams with real beds and full bathrooms.

The Wigwam Motel has been drawing curious travelers for generations. It’s part history, part novelty, and all roadside charm.

Classic cars are parked in front of each unit to complete the picture. At night, the scene looks like a postcard from another time.

It’s weird, wonderful, and totally unforgettable.

The Tiki Resort in Lake George, New York

Tiki culture was huge in the 1950s and ‘60s—and the Tiki Resort leaned all the way in.

Palm fronds, carved statues, and flaming torches set the scene. The rooms still have tropical touches that haven’t changed in decades.

In the summer, guests can catch live luau shows with dancers and music. It’s a roadside party that never forgot its roots.

It might be kitschy, but it’s also deeply fun and welcoming.

The Orbit In in Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs was the playground of mid-century Hollywood, and the Orbit In keeps that spirit alive.

The décor is all vintage, down to the radios and lounge chairs. Even the pool feels like it came from a 1963 travel ad.

Guests sip cocktails at sunset, swap stories, and flip through vinyl records in the lobby.

It’s stylish, simple, and soaked in sunshine. Just like the road trips that made California famous.

The Lincolnville Motel in Lincolnville, Maine

Tucked along the coastal road in midcoast Maine, this motel is simple in the best possible way.

It’s been around since the 1950s and still has a few original touches, like clapboard siding and big bay windows.

Guests gather on the lawn for sunsets. There’s a shared fire pit and a view of the water just down the hill.

It’s quiet, breezy, and a reminder that the best road trips don’t need much more than a map and a good place to park.

The Red Caboose Motel in Ronks, Pennsylvania

You don’t pull up to a room. You pull up to a train car.

At the Red Caboose Motel, each guest room is an actual caboose. The outside is bright red. The inside is cozy and full of character.

There’s a viewing tower, a small farm, and a restaurant inside an old dining car.

It’s roadside nostalgia with a twist, and it’s perfect for families, train lovers, or anyone who wants something different.

The Sea Dell Motel in Marathon, Florida

Driving through the Florida Keys used to mean pulling off the highway at any bright, friendly motel that caught your eye. The Sea Dell still fits that bill.

It’s been welcoming travelers since the 1960s with palm trees, pastel buildings, and plenty of character.

The pool is the perfect size for an afternoon cool-down. The parking is right outside your room. And the vibe is easygoing all day long.

In a region where sleek resorts are taking over, the Sea Dell keeps the Keys casual.

The Sunset Motel in Brevard, North Carolina

Nestled in the Blue Ridge foothills, this classic roadside motel hasn’t changed much since the 1950s.

The neon sign still lights up at dusk. The rooms have cheerful bedding, big windows, and plenty of throwback details.

There’s a picnic table out front and rocking chairs for relaxing. Guests wave to each other, just like they used to.

It’s the kind of stop that feels more like visiting a friend than booking a room.

The Capri in Ojai, California

Ojai has always been a peaceful escape, and The Capri keeps that mood going with mid-century flair.

The rooms are filled with vintage furniture and bursts of color. There’s a pool in the courtyard and palm trees lining the walkway.

You’ll find bicycles out front, record players in the rooms, and a quiet sense of style that doesn’t feel forced.

It’s a modern nod to classic road trip stops, with just the right amount of polish.

Imperial 400 Motels Along American Highways

Once a popular chain, Imperial 400 motels were easy to spot with their tall, starburst signs and boxy design.

While most are long gone, a few remain under different names in small towns across the country, still offering that no-frills, park-right-outside experience.

They’re not luxurious. But they’re clean, affordable, and full of throwback charm.

If you see one on your next drive, it might be worth pulling in just for the nostalgia.

The River Inn in Big Sur, California

Not every retro motel has neon. Some offer peace and history tucked into the trees.

The River Inn dates back to the 1930s and became a road trip staple in the postwar years. It has wooden cabins, a general store, and Adirondack chairs lined up along the river.

You can dip your feet in the water while sipping coffee or just listen to the breeze through the trees.

It’s rustic in all the right ways and still very much open to travelers chasing that slower pace.

The Skyview Motel in Los Alamos, California

Perched on a hill just off California’s Highway 101, the Skyview Motel looks like something straight from a vintage postcard.

It opened in the 1950s and still features original details like wood paneling and big picture windows.

The pool overlooks the vineyards below. There’s even a retro-style cocktail bar on-site, perfect for winding down after a long day on the road.

It’s where wine country meets road trip history, and both show up in full color.

The Canyon Motel in Williams, Arizona

Williams is known as the last town bypassed by I-40, and it still feels like a proper stop on the old Mother Road.

The Canyon Motel has retro-style cabins, train car suites, and plenty of throwback charm.