Start Here: How to Explore RetroRoadTrip
Travel has a funny way of pulling us backward and forward at the same time.
RetroRoadTrip was built for people who feel that spark when they see a neon sign buzzing at dusk, a motor court with real character, or a roadside relic that somehow survived the decades. If you’re new here, this page will help you get oriented, explore the site, and find the kind of places that make a road trip feel like time travel.
RetroRoadTrip is a curated guide to America’s mid-century motels, mom-and-pop gems, neon landmarks, and quirky roadside stays. Every listing is personally selected, photographed, or reviewed because it has something special — a sense of place, a preserved detail, or a story worth following.
This page is your starting line.
What You’ll Find on RetroRoadTrip
This site has three main types of content:
- Motel & Lodging Listings
Hand-picked motels, motor inns, vintage lodges, and quirky stays across the U.S.
Each listing includes core details, photos, and a link to a deeper review when available. - Full Reviews & Travel Stories
These are more detailed write-ups with history, design notes, personal impressions, and tips for staying there. - State-By-State Exploration
If you’re planning a trip, you can browse by region or state to plot a route entirely made of retro goodness.
Over time, the guide keeps expanding as more places are discovered, revisited, and updated. RetroRoadTrip is intentionally slow-built and story-driven — the kind of resource you can come back to whenever you need inspiration.
Where to Begin
If you’re here for the first time, try starting with a few reader favorites:
- Neon Icons & Mid-Century Classics
Timeless motels with original signs and character still intact. - Quirky & Offbeat Stays
Places that lean into personality. Riverboats, Railcars and more roadside oddities with an unmistakable “only here” vibe. - Historic Landmarks
Support preservation and honor those who have saved these amazing structures! If you love history this is for you!
You can also explore by state, which is the easiest way to plan your own retro-themed route.
How We Find Our Listings
This site focuses on places that:
- Preserve original architectural elements
- Celebrate local character or history
- Are independently owned or small-scale
- Offer something memorable beyond a standard chain experience
Not every listing is perfect — some are quirky, some are simple, some are delightfully odd — but each one captures a piece of Americana that deserves to be seen.
We LOVE recommendations! Some of our most amazing finds are from readers! Please email us if you find somewhere you would love to see listed!
Your RetroRoadTrip Editor
RetroRoadTrip is curated by Mary-Frances O’Dea, a longtime writer, preservation advocate, and traveler who has spent years documenting mom-and-pop motels, neon signs, and architectural remnants of the roadside past. You can learn more about that journey on the About page.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you want details on submissions, how places get added, or how to get in touch, the FAQ page covers all of that.
Ready to Explore?
Use the navigation menu to dive into listings, browse state-by-state, or read recent reviews. Whether you’re planning a full road trip or just daydreaming from your couch, RetroRoadTrip is here to spark ideas and preserve the places that make traveling fun.
Let’s hit the road—retro style.
