Oregon Drive-In Movie Theaters
Drive-in movie theaters in Oregon provide great entertainment for people of all ages.
Written by Melanie Johnson
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Oregon
is home to some great drive-in movie theaters that feature new releases as well as timeless classics. All are single-screen theaters offering affordable family-friendly entertainment and concession stands.Drive-ins have been a longstanding tradition in Oregon. Three of the most popular drive-ins in Oregon have been staples of their communities since the 1950s!
A trip to these movie theaters is a nostalgic, fun way to entertain the whole family. There’s something for everyone to enjoy. That’s why the
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99W Drive-In
Address: 3110 Portland Rd, Newberg, OR 97132
Schedule: Spring through fall, closed until spring 2022
Ticket prices: $9 for general admission, $5 for kids 6-11, free for kids 5 and under, $14 for single-occupant vehicles
Number of screens: 1
Pet-friendly? Yes, but they must remain in the vehicle
The
99W Drive-In
has been open since 1953! It was built by Ted Francis and has remained a family-owned business ever since. Until his death in 1999, Francis was the country’s oldest drive-in operator at 98 years old! Movies
The 99W plays double features seasonally every Friday and Saturday, as well as on Thursdays and Sundays during the peak summer season.
Admission is the same whether you stay for one or both movies and is first-come, first-served. There are no advanced ticket sales. Once you’ve entered, you cannot leave and return without paying for admission again.
They usually sell out on Friday and Saturday nights (sometimes an hour before the show), so get there early to secure a spot!
How to hear the movie
Tune into your film’s audio on your car’s FM radio (96.5 FM). If your car doesn’t have an FM transmitter or you’re concerned about draining the battery, you can bring a portable radio with speakers instead.
Snacks
The 99W Drive-In allows you to bring in outside food and drink (but no alcohol or glass bottles), but do consider supporting their snack bar, featuring the following:
- Pizza
- Popcorn
- Hot dogs
- Pretzels
- Nachos
- Ice cream
- Hot drinks—including coffee, mochas, and hot cocoa
- Assorted candy
They accept cash and credit cards.
Milton-Freewater Drive-In
Address: 84322 Oregon-Washington Hwy, Milton-Freewater, OR 97862
Schedule: Movies start at dusk, April to October, closed until spring 2022
Ticket prices: $7 general admission, $2 for kids 11 and under, cash only
Number of screens: 1
Pet-friendly? N/A
The
Milton-Freewater Drive-In
or the M-F has been locally owned and operated by the Spiess family for over 50 years! Dick and Loretta Spiess took over the theater in 1961, and with the help of their kids, they’ve kept the drive-in a wonderful place for fun family entertainment ever since.Movies
Gates open at 7 pm at the M-F, and the first movie begins at dusk. There is no set time the movie starts—it varies by the season, which typically runs from April to October.
The M-F regularly plays new releases with PG ratings, suitable for all ages, as well as classic films. Additionally, they host drive-in concerts as well.
How to hear the movie
Sound is broadcasted through FM radio. To limit car battery usage, you can bring a battery-operated FM radio to listen to the movie or concert instead.
Snacks
Admission and snacks are cash only. However, there is an ATM offered inside the snack bar. The snack bar menu features the following:
- Homemade pizza
- Popcorn
- Hot dogs
- Pretzels
- Nachos
- Candy
- Sodas
Note that there is a mask mandate when inside the snack bar! No outside food or drink is permitted.
La Grande Drive-In
Address: 404 20th St, La Grande, OR 97850
Schedule: Spring through fall
Ticket prices: $8 for attendees 6 and up, free for kids 5 and under
Number of screens: 1
Pet-friendly? No
The
La Grande Drive-In
is a single-screen drive-in that was built in the early 1950s. It is open seasonally (spring through fall) and plays an assortment of old and new releases, most of them suitable for kids.Movies
Movies at La Grande typically begin at dusk and are every Friday and Saturday night during the season, typically spring through fall.
On-screen advertising is available. For information on how you can advertise your business on the big screen, contact John Winn at Winscapes Marketing
How to hear the movie
La Grande uses FM radio to broadcast movie audio. You can also tune in via a portable radio if you prefer.
Snacks
No outside food or drink is permitted, so plan to show up early and take advantage of the concession stand. The menu features:
- Popcorn
- Nachos
- Pretzels
- Assortment of drinks
- Ice cream bars
They accept credit cards.
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FAQs
How many drive-ins are left in Oregon?
There are only three permanent drive-in movie theaters in the state of Oregon.
Do you have to leave your car on during a drive-in movie?
No, you don’t need to leave your car on during the movie. Run the car for a few minutes as soon as you park to make sure the battery has enough power to last for the whole movie. If your battery does run out, a fellow moviegoer should be able to help you jumpstart it.
Do drive-ins play in the rain?
Most drive-in theaters continue to show movies in the rain unless the weather is severe. Check the theater’s website or call before you go to make sure they’re still open.
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