Thunderbird Motor Inn
Florence, SC
Photo courtesy Paul Bauke

Near the South of the Border, south on I95 stands the Thunderbird Motel. Both South of the Border and the Thunderbird were fortunate enough to have I95 aligned past them. They're both on I95 and Route 301. Many thanks to Paul Bauke for info.

Built in 1967, the Thunderbird was one of a chain of motor inns that once dotted the Southeast, but this is the last one still sporting its original roadside sign. While the motel now operates under the Motel 6 name, the famous thunderbird remains standing, making it one of the best surviving motel signs anywhere along the interstate.

Even if you're not spending the night, it's worth pulling off the highway for a closer look. The sign alone is enough to bring back memories of the days when every motel tried to outdo the next one with bigger, brighter roadside advertising.

UPDATE: The motel continues operating under Motel 6, while the classic Thunderbird sign still watches over travelers along I-95. 08-26

Catalina Motel
Lexington, KY
Photo courtesy Devil Doll

Driving New Circle Road, the glowing sign at Catalina Motel is hard to miss. The sweeping script lettering and classic neon give this old motor court the kind of roadside appeal that seems to disappear a little more every year.

The Catalina opened during the motel boom of the 1950s, welcoming travelers exploring Lexington long before the chain hotels took over the exits. Today it still has the look of a classic roadside motor court, with rooms lined up around the parking area and the office waiting beneath that familiar sign.

The real attraction, though, is the marquee. It's the kind of sign that reminds you when motels competed for attention with colorful neon instead of towering billboards. Whether you're spending the night or simply driving by, it's worth slowing down for a second look.

UPDATE: Catalina Motel remains open, and its classic neon sign continues lighting up New Circle Road. 08-26

Olsson Motel
Mobile, AL
Photo courtesy Phil Proctor

Cruising along Government Boulevard, the glowing sign at Olsson's Motel is hard to miss. Bright red neon and classic mid-century styling make it one of those motel marquees that still catches your eye long after many of its neighbors have traded neon for plastic. It's the kind of sign that seems to call for one more photo every time you pass through Mobile. 04-06

Olsson's has the look of a true mom-and-pop motor court, with a single row of rooms, parking right outside the doors, and the owner's home tucked into the middle of the property. It recalls the days when US 90 was one of the Gulf Coast's busiest travel routes and independent motels welcomed motorists one stop at a time.

The sign is the real attraction here. The red neon and old "TV" panel are a nice reminder of an era when motels proudly advertised every modern convenience they had to offer. Whether it's your first visit or your fifth, it's one of those signs that's hard to drive past without slowing down for another look.

UPDATE: Olsson's Motel remains open, and its classic roadside neon sign continues welcoming travelers along Government Boulevard. 08-26

Blue Ridge Motor Lodge (Rem.)
Asheville, NC
Photo courtesy Doug Harvey

Asheville has never been short on classic roadside motels, and back in 2006 the Blue Ridge Motor Lodge still welcomed travelers with a bright neon sign along busy Tunnel Road. It was one of those places that fit right in with the mountain highway, catching your eye as you rolled into town. 09-06

Originally known as the Blue Ridge Court, the motel was a familiar stop for generations of visitors exploring Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Its colorful roadside sign was every bit as memorable as the motel itself.

UPDATE: The motel is still open today, but it has been completely transformed into The Beaucatcher, a boutique hotel. The old neon lettering is gone, replaced with a modern sign, though the original pole still stands as a reminder of what once greeted travelers along Tunnel Road. 08-26

Mount Vue Motel
Asheville, NC
Photo courtesy Doug Harvey

If you're cruising Tunnel Road looking for a taste of old Asheville, don't overlook the little Mount-Vue Motel. Its colorful neon sign, complete with the glowing "Color TV" letters and bright vacancy panel, is a reminder of the days when independent motor courts lined the highway. 09-06

While many of Asheville's vintage motels have disappeared or been transformed into boutique hotels, the Mount-Vue has quietly carried on. This small family-run motel has only a handful of rooms, but it still has the kind of charm that's becoming harder to find. The original ceramic tile bathrooms, simple roadside layout, and welcoming neon all help preserve a little piece of the highway travel era.

The sign is what catches your eye first. Every letter in the "Color TV" panel seems to have its own personality, and the colorful neon has been greeting travelers for decades. It's a refreshing sight on a stretch of road where so many classic motel signs have already disappeared.

UPDATE: The Mount-Vue Motel remains open and independently operated, making it one of the last surviving vintage motor courts on Asheville's Tunnel Road. With neighboring classics like the Mountaineer Inn closed and the Blue Ridge transformed into a boutique hotel, the Mount-Vue stands as a welcome reminder of Asheville's roadside past. 08-26

Rochambeau Motel
Williamsburg, VA
Photo courtesy Kevin Powers

The Rochambeau Motel was one of those classic Williamsburg motor courts that caught your eye long before you reached the front office. Its glowing neon sign welcomed generations of travelers heading toward Colonial Williamsburg, making it a memorable stop along Capitol Landing Road. 06-07

Built in 1954, the motel became a familiar roadside landmark during the heyday of family road trips, even advertising rooms for just a few dollars a night in its early years. Named for the French general Comte de Rochambeau, the property served visitors for decades before eventually falling into disrepair and closing.

Thankfully, this story has a happy ending. Rather than being torn down, the motel was purchased in 2024 and carefully restored from top to bottom. The rooms were completely renovated, the vintage character was preserved, and the famous roadside sign once again lights up the night with fresh neon.

UPDATE: Today the property has a new life as the Rochambeau Roadside Inn, a beautifully restored boutique motel that celebrates its mid-century roots while welcoming a new generation of travelers. It's great to see another classic roadside motel not only survive, but shine once again. 08-26