There is something about pulling up to a drive-in, ordering from your car, and watching a carhop bring your food right to the window. In Tennessee, a handful of these old-school spots are still going strong, and they still know how to make a proper root beer float.
From small college towns to busy suburbs, each of these places keeps the classic drive-in tradition alive. Grab a friend, roll down the window, and get ready to add these four stops to your next Tennessee road trip.
1. KN Root Beer of Martin, Martin, TN
Homemade root beer poured into a cold mug is the calling card here, and it tastes like the old-fashioned draft kind you do not find just anywhere. That base makes for a float that keeps regulars coming back.
Sitting on North Lindell Street, this is a friendly family drive-in with quick service and a nostalgic feel. The burgers get plenty of love, and the shakes and floats round out a menu built for a fast, satisfying stop.
Vegetarians and vegans have options too, with vegan onion rings and a vegetarian corn dog on the board. Prices land in the ten to twenty dollar range per person, so it is easy on the wallet for lunch or dinner.
Being in Martin, a college town, the crowd often includes students and travelers passing through. It is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and closed on Sundays.
Parking is rarely a headache, with a free lot and street spots usually available.
2. Snow White Drive In, Lebanon, TN
Pull up, wait in your car, and a carhop will come take your order after a honk. If you would rather stretch your legs, you can head inside to take in the throwback decor or grab a spot at the picnic tables and patio out front.
The 1950s vibe is the real draw here, and the menu backs it up. The mushroom Swiss burger with onion rings is a standout, and the hot fudge cake and banana split give the dessert side some serious pull.
There is more range than you might expect from a roadside joint. Breakfast, brunch, coffee, a chef salad, coney dogs, and even a pound of BBQ all show up on the menu, and the floats have a loyal following.
Service options include curbside pickup, dine-in, takeout, and outdoor seating, and there are high chairs and a kids’ menu for families. Dogs are welcome outside.
Hours run Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., closed Sunday. You can check the menu ahead on their website.
3. A&W Restaurant, Madisonville, TN
Famous for its root beer float, this A&W on US-411 delivers exactly what the name promises. The floats come huge, and the price is hard to argue with.
Carhops and an old drive-in atmosphere set the tone, with service that moves quickly whether you are grabbing lunch or an evening treat. Burgers and cheese curds fill out the plate, but the root beer is the star of the show.
Family packs make this an easy weekly stop, and the value keeps things simple. Prices run in the ten to twenty dollar range per person, with a kids’ menu for the little ones.
You will find dine-in, outdoor seating, and takeout, plus a restroom on site and free parking. Dogs are allowed outside.
Unlike some of the others on this list, A&W is open seven days a week, from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., which makes it the easiest to catch on a Sunday drive through East Tennessee.
4. Sonic Drive-In, Collierville, TN
Order from a covered stall, and a carhop brings your food right to the window, sometimes on skates. That retro drive-in service is what sets this Collierville Sonic apart from your average fast-food stop.
The staff here get high marks for being friendly and fast, and the area around the stalls and tables is kept clean. Mobile orders can land in your hands in just a couple of minutes, which is handy when you are short on time.
Fresh corndogs and milkshakes are the usual favorites, and the menu leans into classic drive-in comfort. Fries, French toast sticks, mozzarella sticks, and a beef hot dog cover a lot of ground, and the fountain drinks and floats deliver straight to your car.
Located on US-72, this spot keeps long hours: Monday through Thursday 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 11 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. That late-night stretch makes it a solid pick when the other three have already closed.
Free parking is easy to find, and dogs are welcome.
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