Retro Revival

Discover America’s classic drive-ins, diners and deliciously quirky finds.

- KRISTY ALPERT

It’s as simple as rolling down a window on a summer road trip to let the warm breeze permeate the car. It can happen at the sound of a bat cracking as it hits a curveball far into the leftfield. And it can even creep up as the scent of freshly fried funnel cake wafts through the grounds of your county fair.

That wave of homegrown nostalgia is as classic as America itself, where apple pies become more than a mere post-dinner pastry and state fairs become can’t-miss annual affairs for multiple generations of families. Roadside diners and drive-in movie theaters may seem like a thing of the past, but retro is relevant once again, and that Americana spirit is back in a big way as road trips become the preferred mode of transportation.

A recent study from IPX1031 found more than half (58 percent) of Americans plan to travel this year, although less than half (48 percent) feel comfortable boarding a plane. With many international trips on hold and frequently changing domestic travel restrictions, 2021 is shaping up to be the year of the road trip. Exploring the open roads of America proves the best way to experience the country, as more than 4.124 million miles of roads offer open-ended possibilities for adventure and discovery. (To plan your journey, check out the Federal Highway Administration’s guide to American Byways at fhwa.dot.gov/byways.)