There’s a particular kind of magic that happens when you pull into a classic motor court at dusk. The neon flickers. The breeze carries the smell of pavement cooling after a summer day. And for a moment, you can almost hear the ghosts of station wagons and road maps rustling in glove compartments.
I’ve felt that pull for most of my life. It’s the same pull that led me into historic preservation work—today, I serve as a Longmont Historic Preservation Commissioner—and it’s the same pull that sparked everything behind RetroRoadTrip.
Where It Started: A Love of the American Road
Before this site existed, before the directory, before the reviews, and long before Schitt’s Creek made old motels cool again, there was a simple truth: I loved mid-century motels. The independent ones. The quirky ones. The survivors.
I’m talking about the “Mom and Pop” places with starburst clocks, turquoise doors, jangly keychains, and owners who still take pride in handing you a real room key. Places built in an era when the family road trip meant something—freedom, discovery, and a chance to see the country one neon sign at a time.
These motels have stories baked into their walls. Stories about architecture, culture, regional identity, and the evolution of American travel. But for years, almost no one was talking about them.
The Problem: Overlooked Gems With No Spotlight
The big hotel chains can shout. They have marketing budgets, loyalty programs, and corporate branding that stretches across the globe.
Independent motels, meanwhile, whisper.
They survive on reputation, repeat guests, and the stubborn passion of their owners.
Many of these mid-century spots don’t have:
- slick advertising
- PR firms
- optimized websites
- social media teams
- brand recognition
And because of that, travelers often drive right past them—completely unaware that inside might be one of the most memorable stays of their trip.
That gap between quality and visibility is where all of this began
The Beginnings: Mid-Century Motels Turns Into Something Bigger
Back in 2013, I launched Mid-Century Motels as part of MidCenturyStyle.net. It was meant to be a small editorial project—a way to write about these overlooked places, share reviews, and highlight the ones still maintaining their character.
The response surprised me.
People cared. People loved these places.
Travelers wanted to find them, and motel owners were thrilled to be seen.
And as I visited more towns, more roads, and more historic districts, the project grew beyond its original borders. I realized the scope wasn’t just mid-century preservation—it was roadside preservation writ large.
By 2023, the project needed a bigger umbrella.
RetroRoadTrip was born.
Why RetroRoadTrip Exists
RetroRoadTrip celebrates the American roadside in all its weird, wonderful, mid-century glory—from neon motor inns to retro-inspired boutique stays to historic mom-and-pop motels that haven’t changed since the Eisenhower era.
It’s about:
- preservation
- architecture
- design
- travel
- storytelling
- and a deep love for the places that shaped American mobility
This site is part travel guide, part preservation project, part passion project. And it’s intentionally slow-built. Every listing is chosen because it has character, not because someone paid for a placement. Every review is written from experience. Every motel highlighted is one more piece of Americana that refuses to disappear quietly.
Why Retro Motels Still Matter
These places offer more than affordable rooms. They offer:
- connection to retro design
- community history
- sustainable travel (reusing and preserving existing buildings)
- local ownership
- authentic experiences
- surprise and personality
In a landscape where so much travel has become standardized, retro motels offer something rare: individuality.
And preserving that individuality isn’t just nostalgic—it’s cultural stewardship
Want to Share a Retro Gem? Tell Me.
I’m always searching for motels with story, charm, authenticity, or stubborn mid-century grit. If you’ve stayed somewhere special—or you own a place that deserves a spotlight—I’d love to hear about it.
Send your discoveries my way:
RetroRoadTrip wants to help travelers find the good stuff.
Because the American roadside still has magic in it.
Sometimes it just needs a little help being seen.
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