There’s something magical about ending a day of road-tripping with a movie under the stars. On Historic U.S. Route 6—the nation’s longest continuous highway—travelers can still experience that retro charm at drive-in theaters scattered along the way. These spots evoke the golden age of American travel and invite you to slow down, grab some popcorn, and soak in roadside nostalgia.
Surviving Drive-In Theaters Right on Route 6
1. Wellfleet Drive-In (Wellfleet, Massachusetts)
The only remaining drive-in on Cape Cod, the Wellfleet Drive-In has been entertaining travelers since 1957. With a 100-foot screen, original window speakers, and family-friendly extras like mini-golf and a flea market, it’s both a classic and a modern experience.
2. Kane Family Drive-In (Kane, Pennsylvania)
Situated directly on U.S. 6, this long-running theater keeps the tradition alive in northwestern Pennsylvania. It’s a favorite summer stop for families and road-trippers exploring the Allegheny National Forest region.
3. Circle Drive-In (Dickson City, Pennsylvania)
Located on Business U.S. 6 near Scranton, the Circle Drive-In is one of the state’s oldest continuously operating drive-ins. It hosts films, a flea market, and seasonal events that make it a lively community hub.
4. Valle Drive-In (Newton, Iowa)
Opened in 1948, the Valle Drive-In is the oldest continuously operating drive-in in Iowa. Located on the old alignment of Route 6 (County Rd F48), it’s a true roadside relic that still packs in crowds on summer weekends.
Nearby Drive-Ins Worth the Detour
Mansfield Drive-In (Mansfield, CT) – Just off U.S. 6 in eastern Connecticut, pairing movies with a weekend flea market.
49’er Drive-In (Valparaiso, IN) – A short hop south of Route 6; a Hoosier favorite for double features.
88 Drive-In (Commerce City, CO) – Near Denver where Route 6 joins U.S. 85; one of the last in Colorado.
Paramount Drive-In (Paramount, CA) – Near Long Beach, the historic western terminus of Route 6. A perfect closing chapter for a coast-to-coast adventure.
Remembering the Lost Drive-Ins
Route 6 once had dozens of drive-ins dotting its path. Some have faded into memory, including the Maple Drive-In (Honesdale, PA), Wysox Drive-In (Wysox, PA), and Corry Drive-In (Corry, PA). While these screens have gone dark, their stories remain part of the fabric of Route 6 history.
Why Drive-Ins Matter to the Route 6 Story
Drive-ins embody the spirit of the open road. They flourished in the same postwar era when cross-country road trips became a symbol of American freedom. Along Route 6, they remind us that travel isn’t just about reaching the destination—it’s about collecting memories along the way.
So next time you’re traveling America’s “Grand Old Highway,” plan your evening around a drive-in stop. It’s nostalgia you can still live today.
Note: “Historic US Route 6” ran coast-to-coast (1937–1964) from Provincetown to Long Beach and is officially the Grand Army of the Republic Highway. Today the signed western end is at Bishop, CA; to finish at Long Beach you’ll follow the former CA alignment (US-395/CA-14/I-110) to the coast. A 22-day, moto-friendly, rest-smart itinerary (with options + budget)
Day-by-day route (built for comfort, scenery, and real rest)
Daily mileages are “reasonable-pace” estimates with time for photos, food, and fuel. Where “REST/SHORT” appears, plan a later start, earlier finish, or a no-ride afternoon.
D1 — Provincetown ➜ Providence (~130 mi)
Cape Cod sweep on US-6: Race Point, Pilgrim Monument, Sandwich Boardwalk; canal views at Sagamore. Federal Hill for dinner.
Sleep: The Dean (Providence); Eat: Federal Hill trattorias.
D2 — Providence ➜ Danbury, CT (~150 mi)
US-6 across RI & CT mill towns. Stops: Willimantic’s Frog Bridge; Mark Twain House (Hartford).
Sleep: Danbury hotels near Main St; Eat: Yankee-style diners.
D3 — Danbury ➜ Milford, PA via Bear Mountain Bridge (~140 mi)
Hudson Highlands crossing on US-6/202; pause at Perkins Memorial Tower. Historic Milford for the night.
Sleep: Hotel Fauchère (classic Route-6 lodging); Eat: Bar Louis / Milford taverns. Hotel Fauchère
D4 — Milford ➜ Wellsboro, PA (~200 mi)
Classic PA Route 6 towns: Hawley, Honesdale, Tunkhannock, Towanda. Sunset at the PA Grand Canyon overlooks (Leonard Harrison or Colton Point). Pennsylvania Government+1
Sleep: Penn Wells Hotel; Eat: Wellsboro Diner. Penn Wells
D5 — Wellsboro (REST/SHORT)
Morning hike at the canyon, optional night ride to Cherry Springs dark-sky area (if skies are clear). National Park Service
D6 — Wellsboro ➜ Bradford/Warren, PA via Kinzua Sky Walk (~160 mi)
Detour to Kinzua Bridge State Park for the famous skywalk over the gorge. visitanf.com
Sleep: Warren/Bradford motels & inns.
D7 — Warren, PA ➜ Cleveland, OH (~210 mi)
Lake-shore US-6 via Ashtabula and Euclid. Sunset at Edgewater Park; browse West Side Market.
D8 — Cleveland ➜ Bowling Green, OH via Sandusky (~140 mi)
Harbor towns (Lorain, Vermilion, Huron). Optional Cedar Point detour.
Sleep: Bowling Green; Eat: downtown pubs/BBQ.
D9 — Bowling Green ➜ Goshen/Elkhart, IN (~190 mi)
Small-town Ohio (Napoleon, Bryan) into Indiana’s Amish country.
Sleep: Hotel Elkhart; Eat: South Side Soda Shop (retro diner). South Side Soda Shop
D10 — Goshen ➜ Utica/Starved Rock, IL (~220 mi)
US-6 through South Bend, Joliet, Morris, Ottawa. Late-day canyon stroll at Starved Rock State Park.
Sleep: Starved Rock Lodge; Eat: Lodge dining room or Nonie’s. starvedrocklodge.comIllinois Department of Natural Resources
D11 — Utica ➜ Iowa City/Amana, IA (~210 mi)
Quad Cities crossing; Mississippi views; roll to Iowa City or the Amana Colonies.
Sleep: Hotel Millwright (Amana); Eat: Ox Yoke Inn, Millwright’s Indigo Room. Hotel MillwrightAmana Colonies in Amana, Iowa | Tourism
D13 — Iowa City ➜ Omaha/Council Bluffs (~250 mi)
Grinnell & Des Moines corridor; Missouri River sunset in the Old Market.
Sleep: Downtown Omaha.
D14 — Omaha ➜ McCook, NE (~280 mi)
US-6 across Nebraska heritage towns (Lincoln, Hastings, Holdrege) to McCook. Wikipedia
Sleep: Local motel; Eat: steakhouses along B St.
D15 — McCook ➜ Denver/Golden, CO (~270 mi)
Plains to Front Range (Sterling, Fort Morgan) on the US-6/I-76 corridor.
Sleep: Golden or Denver.
D16 — Denver/Golden ➜ Glenwood Springs, CO via Loveland Pass (~180 mi)
Ride Loveland Pass (11,990 ft) on historic US-6 over the Continental Divide; soak at Glenwood Hot Springs. US Route 6 Tourist Association
Sleep: Glenwood Springs.
D17 — Glenwood Springs ➜ Price/Helper, UT (~220 mi)
Glenwood Canyon to the Book Cliffs; mining art in Helper.
D18 — Price/Helper ➜ Delta, UT (REST/SHORT, ~150 mi)
Short day to reset; Great Basin Museum, desert sunset.
D19 — Delta, UT ➜ Ely, NV (~155 mi)
US-6/50 loneliest stretch; railroad history at Nevada Northern in Ely. (Top off fuel at every chance from here on.)
D20 — Ely ➜ Tonopah, NV (~168 mi)
One of America’s longest fuel-service gaps—plan for 170 miles between towns; carry extra fuel/water. Wikipedia
Sleep: Mizpah or retro motor-inns; Eat: Tonopah Brewing.
D21 — Tonopah ➜ Bishop, CA (~180 mi)
Basalt & Montgomery Pass into the Owens Valley; official modern US-6 western terminus at US-395 in Bishop (photo stop). Wikipedia
Sleep: Bishop (or push on if you’re fresh).
D22 — Bishop ➜ Long Beach, CA (historic finish, ~280 mi)
Follow the former US-6 alignment via US-395 ➜ CA-14 ➜ I-110 to the coast. Celebrate at the Ocean Blvd/Long Beach Blvd plaque area or the Queen Mary. (Historic AASHO documentation places the terminus at the Long Beach Fwy & PCH.) Federal Highway AdministrationAARoads
Prime windows:late May–June and September–early October balance cool Atlantic air, manageable Great Plains winds, and avoid peak desert heat.
Rockies: Even in summer, expect sudden cold, hail, or storms at high elevation; snow is possible any month over Loveland Pass (11,990 ft).
Great Basin (UT/NV): Dry, big-sky riding with long gaps between services; summer highs commonly 90–100°F+. Carry extra water/fuel. Wikipedia
Coastal SoCal: Mild but traffic-dense; plan urban hours off-peak.
Prep, packing & safety (motorcycle-specific)
Bike & body: fresh tires; brake pads/lines inspected; chain/sprockets or belt in spec; oil/filter; coolant; tools & tubeless plug kit + mini-compressor; spare key; daily chain lube on the road.
Fuel planning: From Ely↔Tonopah is ~168 mi with limited/no services—top off at every town; consider a 1–2 gal auxiliary can. Wikipedia
Personal kit: ATGATT (all-the-gear-all-the-time): mesh or vented jacket/pants + insulating layer + rain layer; heated gloves/liner for the Divide; earplugs; sunscreen; lip balm; hydration pack (2–3L); electrolytes; first-aid; paper maps as backup.
Operations: Early starts; 15-minute breaks every ~90 minutes; snack often; watch for wildlife at dawn/dusk; check DOT advisories for mountain weather and construction.
Overnights: Every 3–4 days, schedule a REST/SHORT day (already baked into this plan).
Budget (solo rider, mid-range)
(Assumes ~3,930 miles including the Bishop➜Long Beach historic finish.)
Fuel: 40–50 mpg bikes at national avg ~$3.16/gal ⇒ $250–$310. AAA Fuel Prices
Activities/Admissions:$150–$300 (museums, hot springs, etc.).
Contingency/Maintenance:$200–$400 (oil, chain lube, small repairs). Estimated total:$3,900–$5,900 depending on hotel class, fuel economy, and splurges.
(National average gas price cited from AAA; your effective cost will be slightly higher in CA and lower in the Plains.)AAA Fuel Prices
GPX / maps / printable
If you’d like, I can generate day-by-day GPX tracks and a printable PDF checklist (packing list + fuel stops + lodging phones) from this plan in one go.
Why this route works
Honors the historic alignment (with modern signing realities) and hits the signature US-6 experiences from the Cape to the Continental Divide to the Nevada empties. WikipediaFederal Highway Administration
Daily miles are humane for a loaded bike, with built-in recovery days and short Rockies days to respect altitude and weather.
Service gaps and photo-op finishes are called out so you can prep and celebrate properly. Wikipedia
If you’re dreaming of a coast-to-coast adventure, Historic Route 6 offers one of America’s most unforgettable journeys. Known as the “Grand Army of the Republic Highway,” this iconic road stretches from Provincetown, Massachusetts, to Long Beach, California. Here’s the ultimate Route 6 Bucket List — a mix of must-see landmarks, hidden gems, small-town treasures, and big-sky landscapes.
Massachusetts
Stroll the Sandwich Boardwalk at sunrise.
Explore MacMillan Wharf in Provincetown, where Route 6 begins.
Watch the sunset at Wellfleet’s Outer Beaches.
Rhode Island & Connecticut
Cross scenic coastal bridges and wander Providence.
Grab fresh clam chowder at a roadside shack in New London.
New York
Catch a show at the historic Paramount Theater in Peekskill.
Enjoy the Hudson Valley’s rolling hills and riverside drives.
Pennsylvania
Hike into the Pine Creek Gorge, the PA Grand Canyon.
Stroll small towns like Coudersport for classic Americana charm.
Stop at a roadside diner for homemade pie.
Ohio
Ride world-famous coasters at Cedar Point in Sandusky.
Tour the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
Explore Bowling Green’s college-town energy.
Indiana & Illinois
Snap photos at neon-lit gas stations in Joliet, Illinois.
Cruise past Indiana’s farmland and quirky roadside art.
Iowa & Nebraska
Catch a festival in Des Moines.
Drive through endless cornfields and small-town main streets.
Colorado
Cross the Continental Divide at Loveland Pass.
Visit Estes Park and marvel at the Rockies’ rugged beauty.
Utah
Explore the ghost town of Cisco.
Capture desert sunsets near Moab’s red rock cliffs.
Embrace the solitude of Utah’s open highways.
Nevada
Stargaze under some of the clearest night skies in America.
Stop in Ely for desert history and old-school motels.
Experience the “Loneliest Road in America.”
California
Celebrate in Bishop during Mule Days.
Cross the Sierra Nevada into the lush Owens Valley.
End the journey in Long Beach, where Route 6 meets the Pacific.
Conclusion
From windswept Atlantic shores to the wide-open Nevada desert and California’s Pacific coast, Route 6 is a living time capsule of American history and culture. Whether you drive the whole stretch or just a state or two, these stops make for an unforgettable bucket list adventure.
Why Sponsoring the Route 6 Tourist Association Matters for Descendants of the Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Historic Route 6—the Grand Army of the Republic Highway—is more than just pavement stretching from coast to coast. It is America’s oldest, highest, and longest transcontinental highway, a living monument to both our nation’s history and its future. For descendants of those who live, work, and travel along this iconic route, there is a unique opportunity to honor that heritage: by supporting the Route 6 Tourist Association.
A Legacy of Service and Connection
Route 6 was officially dedicated to the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)—the Union veterans of the Civil War. Its name is a tribute to their service, sacrifice, and the values of unity and perseverance. Families living along the route today are stewards of this legacy. By sponsoring the Route 6 Tourist Association, descendants actively participate in preserving that story for future generations.
This sponsorship is not only a gesture of respect for ancestors but also an investment in keeping their memory alive through education, tourism, and storytelling.
Building Stronger Communities Along Route 6
From Massachusetts to California, Route 6 touches small towns, bustling cities, and rural communities. Sponsorship helps fund:
Local tourism initiatives that highlight historic landmarks, museums, and cultural attractions.
Community events and festivals that bring residents together while drawing travelers from across the world.
Educational programs that ensure younger generations understand both the Civil War heritage and the highway’s role in 20th-century America.
When descendants sponsor the Association, they contribute to a shared effort that uplifts their community, drives local economies, and ensures Route 6 continues to thrive.
Preserving America’s Longest Highway
At over 3,200 miles, Historic Route 6 is a remarkable achievement of American infrastructure. But highways, like memories, require care to endure. Sponsorship supports projects that preserve signage, maintain historical markers, and promote Route 6 as a national treasure worth traveling.
By sponsoring, descendants help keep alive not just the road, but the stories of soldiers, settlers, entrepreneurs, and everyday families who shaped the towns along its path.
A Personal Call to Action
For those with roots along the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, sponsoring the Route 6 Tourist Association is more than philanthropy—it is personal. It is an act of remembrance and gratitude, and a way to ensure that the places our ancestors called home continue to be celebrated.
To honor the past, strengthen the present, and protect the future of Route 6, descendants can make a lasting impact through sponsorship.
Traveling Route 6 through Massachusetts is a journey filled with coastal beauty, timeless charm, and unforgettable moments. Whether you’re passing through or staying awhile, these must-do experiences capture the true spirit of Cape Cod.
Walk the Iconic Sandwich Boardwalk
Start your Cape adventure with a stroll across this historic wooden boardwalk stretching over marshes to the sea. It’s especially magical at sunrise or sunset.
️ Explore the Outer Beaches of Wellfleet
Part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, these wild stretches of sand are perfect for a day of surf, sun, and solitude.
️ Hike the Parabolic Dunes
Take a trek into the dramatic dune landscapes near Provincetown. Shaped by wind and time, these shifting sands are a natural wonder worth exploring.
⚓Macmillan Wharf Where the *Whydah Pirate Museum is located, Blue Fin Tuna fishing boats weigh and unload the day’s catch and the **Schooner Hindu & Cutter Bloodhound are docked.
Swim in a Kettle Pond
Cool off in one of Cape Cod’s crystal-clear kettle ponds—formed by retreating glaciers and surrounded by peaceful woodlands.
Wander the Brewster Flats at Low Tide
The world’s largest tidal flats stretch for miles. At low tide, you can walk endlessly across rippled sandbars and tidal pools.
Sunset at Herring Cove, Race Point or the breakers off Pilgrims First Landing Park
End your Route 6 day with a classic Provincetown sunset. The Herring Cove parking lot is where cars line up to watch sunsets every evening or take an Art’s Dune Tour ride to Race Point beach or a sunset sail on the Bay Lady II and Schooner Hindu or have dinner at the Provincetown Inn with a short walk to the breakers off the Pilgrims First Landing Park with the distant 1872 Wood End Lighthouse sending out a red flash every 10 seconds.
✨ From historic boardwalks to dune hikes and coastal sunsets, Massachusetts offers explorers along Route 6 a bucket list of pure Cape Cod magic.boardwalks to dune hikes and coastal sunsets, Massachusetts offers explorers along Route 6 a bucket list of pure Cape Cod magic.
