As the nights grow longer and Halloween approaches, car washes across the United States are transforming into haunted tunnels, offering a unique blend of fright and suds to thrill-seeking drivers. This year, the tradition has reached new heights, with chains and independents alike embracing the spooky season to both entertain and give back to their communities.
In Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the Silverstar Car Wash on Marion Road is once again hosting its popular Halloween Haunted Tunnel event. According to KSOO-AM / ESPN Sioux Falls, the festivities kick off on October 28, 2025, running through October 30, from 6 PM to 9 PM each night—just in time to set the mood for Halloween. The theme this year, 'Frightful Fun & Clean Cars,' promises a night of eerie excitement as drivers brave the haunted wash in search of both a clean car and a good scare.
But why would anyone willingly subject themselves to terror while getting their car cleaned? The answer, it turns out, is as heartwarming as it is hair-raising. Ten percent of the proceeds from the Sioux Falls event will benefit Feeding South Dakota, a nonprofit working to combat hunger in the state. Since the Haunted Tunnel began, Silverstar Car Wash has provided more than 50,000 meals to the organization, making every shriek and startled jump count for a good cause. As the event's organizers put it, "the screams are for Feeding South Dakota!"
Admission to the haunted tunnel is $29 per vehicle for non-members, while Silverstar Car Wash members enjoy free entry. For those who might be a little squeamish, the event is all in good fun—and for charity. As one local reporter quipped, "I'm shaking in my boots just thinking about this eerie car wash. But I'm a scaredy-cat, so what do I know?"
Sioux Falls isn't the only place where car washes are getting into the Halloween spirit. According to NPR, Tommy's Express—a national car wash chain based in Holland, Michigan—is running 126 haunted car washes across 32 states this year. With 260 locations nationwide, nearly half are participating in what the company calls its "Tunnel of Terror." The event has become a hallmark of the Halloween season, drawing crowds from Alaska to Wyoming and everywhere in between.
Joel Fullmer, retail marketing manager at Tommy's Express, describes the transformation: "Our car wash is known for being bright and open, not the claustrophobic brick tunnel feeling. But for this event, we black out the windows, we turn down the lights, we run fog machines. Our team members will dress up in costumes. We'll have them walking around our pay lanes as cars drive up for the event, staring in windows, pulling on door handles, seeing people jump from one side of the car to the other." Fullmer himself has even joined the ghoulish ranks, working the line in disguise as a ghoul, and confirms, "Yeah, it's a fun experience."
The haunted car wash phenomenon isn't limited to a single chain or region. Across the country, from the Whatta Wash Car Wash in Greer, South Carolina—where demonic clowns take the lead—to the Wiggy Wash in Orem, Utah, where a grinning skeleton in a trucker hat might scrub your car, the trend is spreading fast. In car-obsessed Southern California, the haunted wash has become a staple of the season, though Fullmer notes the origins may trace back to Virginia and Florida.
The experience itself is crafted to tap into childhood fears of the dark, the unknown, and the mechanical chaos of a car wash. Add in strobe lights, fog machines, and costumed staff—sometimes wielding chainsaws or donning hockey masks—and you've got a recipe for both nostalgia and adrenaline. As NPR recounts, at Fast Splash Car Wash in Detroit, menacing clowns tap on windows, jiggle locked doors, and cackle at the waiting line of cars, creating a "primal fear package perfect for vehicular adults with a taste for Halloween thrills."
The business side of things is nothing to scoff at. Many haunted car washes charge between $25 and $30 for the experience, and the events can double a location's business in the week leading up to Halloween. One Tommy's Express location reportedly washed over 1,000 cars in just eight hours during the event. It's not just about scaring customers—it's about keeping the car wash top-of-mind in the community and providing an experience that stands out.
James Risley, research manager of the International Carwash Association, points to the broader industry trend: "Industry surveys found that creating a 'memorable or differentiated wash experience is very important to 85% of car wash businesses,' and 'Halloween transformations can keep a car wash location top-of-mind for the community.'" In other words, it's not just about clean cars—it's about creating lasting memories and building customer loyalty, one scream at a time.
The haunted car wash has become a symbol of how businesses can adapt to changing times and customer expectations. What began as a quirky local event has blossomed into a nationwide phenomenon, proving that even the most routine errands can be transformed into something extraordinary. For families, it's a safe and contained way to celebrate Halloween, especially as concerns about crowded indoor spaces persist. For car wash owners, it's an opportunity to stand out in a competitive market and, in many cases, to give back to their communities.
And let's not forget the entertainment value. Whether it's a menacing clown lurking in the mist or a skeleton with a sponge, the haunted car wash offers a rare chance to mix laughter, fright, and a sparkling clean vehicle—all without leaving the comfort of your own car. As one industry veteran put it, "Chamois, meet chainsaws."
As Halloween 2025 approaches, haunted car washes from Sioux Falls to Southern California are gearing up for their biggest and scariest season yet. For those brave enough to face the Tunnel of Terror, the reward is more than just a spotless car—it's a night of fun, community, and maybe even a little bit of good done along the way.
So, if you find yourself in need of a wash and a thrill this October, you might just want to buckle up and take a ride through one of America's haunted car washes. Just remember: the screams might be loud, but the impact on the community is even greater.
