July 24 is the perfect day to visit McDonald’s, or Wendy’s, or Taco Bell, all while staying in your car!

Almost every fast food restaurant offers drive-thru service and they have been very helpful during the pandemic when indoor dining was restricted or forbidden. A drive-thru allows customers to order and pick up their food without leaving their car. On July 24, America recognizes National Drive-Thru Day.

This service has been popular for over 70 years, but the first drive-thru is said to be introduced by Red’s Giant Hamburg in Springfield, Missouri in 1947, according to Onlyinyourstate.com . However, the longest lasting drive-thru is an In-N-Out stand built in 1948. According to In-N-Out’s online site, “Harry Snyder introduces California’s first drive-thru hamburger stand.”

Following In-N-Out, Jack in the Box made their own drive-thru in 1951. Their first store that offered a drive-thru was located in San Diego, as stated by NationalToday. They eventually created a drive-thru chain.

Cup holders in cars were created because drive-thru dining was so popular. In 1983, the cup holder was included inside cars.

National Drive-Thru Day was founded by Jack in the Box in 2002. Some fast food restaurants may offer specials during the holiday.