2024 Question and Answer With Tommy's Express Tunnel of Terror

The scares don't stop once you're inside...

VirginiaHauntedHouses.com recently sat down with Matthew of Tommy's Express Tunnel of Terror, to discuss what's new at Tommy's Express Tunnel of Terror for the 2024 Halloween Season!

What's new at Tommy's Express Tunnel of Terror for 2024? Do you have any new rides, attractions, or special features that Haunt Seekers should know about?

We constantly add new animatronics and decorations to our collection, and we plan on bringing in plenty of new actors with new costumes this year! We’ve changed a few things up over the years so we’re always trying new things to make the Tunnel of Terror a great experience for everyone involved.

What are you most excited about for the 2024 Halloween Season?

Hearing the screams of our victims as they enter the tunnel, muhahaha!
But seriously, we love to hear our guests scream as that means we’ve done our job well. This year we’re hoping to bring in new guests who have never experienced a haunted car wash, or who have never visited us at all!

What differentiates Tommy's Express Tunnel of Terror from other local haunts in Virginia?

There are plenty of haunted hayrides and houses around the area, but very few haunted car washes! Our Tunnel of Terror allows you to get the same experience of other haunted attractions from the safety of your car, giving you some control over the experience as well. After all, the ghouls and ghosts can’t get inside unless you let them!
On top of that, you’re not just getting a traditional haunted experience - you’re also getting an actual car wash! Every guest that enters our Tunnel of Terror receives our best wash, The Works, which includes ceramic body wax and tire gloss!

How long has Tommy's Express Tunnel of Terror been in business? Can you tell us a bit more about Tommy's Express Tunnel of Terror's history?

The Tunnel of Terror began at a single Tommy’s Express Car Wash here in Richmond, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a way for our employees and the community to get out of the house and enjoy the fun of Halloween from the safety of their vehicle. Since then, we’ve expanded it nationwide to several hundred Tommy’s Express locations across the country. This year we’ve got 100+ locations hosting the Tunnel of Terror, all across the US.

What's your favorite experience since opening Tommy's Express Tunnel of Terror?

There’s way too many to have a favorite, but it’s always awesome to see a group of young kids scream their heads off! Several of our actors have been at the Tunnel of Terror for multiple years, and like to jump inside a guest’s vehicle and ride along with them, while the other passengers freak out.

How long is a typical haunt experience at Tommy's Express Tunnel of Terror from start to finish?

Going through our wash tunnel takes only 3 minutes, but most of the scares happen before then. A guest can expect to spend about 10-15 minutes here, allowing our actors plenty of opportunities to introduce themselves.

On a scale from 1 to 10, how scary would you say Tommy's Express Tunnel of Terror is? Why?

I would say a 6. If the Tunnel of Terror were a movie, it would likely be rated as PG-13. We try to make our event scare-focused, and there is some simulated/fake blood throughout the wash.

Does Tommy's Express Tunnel of Terror's property have any real haunted history? Do you have a spooky encounter you'd like to share?

Unfortunately we don’t have any history of hauntings or other ghostly encounters. Really, the only thing frightening is how scary clean your car will be at the end!

What inspired you to open up a haunted attraction? What's your favorite part of the business?

We're always looking for ways to reach out to the communities our sites are in. When the pandemic hit, we looked at how other businesses were reacting and realized that we were in a unique position, as our guests can stay safe in their vehicles as they go through. When the holiday season began, we saw it as a chance to bring back some of the fun and excitement we were all missing. With some inspiration from other car washes around the country, we put together our first Tunnel of Terror in 2020, and it's been a wild success!
Putting on the Tunnel of Terror is always exciting, seeing the smiles and hearing the screams from our guests and even our team members makes it all worth it. It's why we keep it coming back. Even though we're not a traditional haunted attraction we definitely have the spirit, and hopefully everyone can see that!

How has new technology (i.e. animatronics, special props, etc) helped you to enhance Tommy's Express Tunnel of Terror?

With the unique challenges of providing a haunted environment at a car wash, we’ve made great use of animatronics for static and reliable scares, while using lights and sounds to provide a haunting ambiance throughout.

Can Tommy's Express Tunnel of Terror accommodate large groups? How many people can experience Tommy's Express Tunnel of Terror together as a group?

Of course! The only real limit is how many people can fit into one vehicle, and if that vehicle can get through our wash normally. Most common vehicles under 7 ft. tall can fit through our wash tunnel, which means we can accept most passenger and cargo vans. We can even take limousines!

Does Tommy's Express Tunnel of Terror offer any special deals, discounts, or coupons?

We don’t normally offer discounts for the Tunnel of Terror. However, the haunted car wash is FREE for any existing TommyClub members. New guests can sign up through our Tommy’s Express app and get their first month of unlimited washes for free, which in turn allows them to access the Tunnel of Terror at no extra charge!

Anything else you'd like to let us know about Tommy's Express Tunnel of Terror?

We want the Tunnel of Terror to be a thrilling experience for all of our guests, but we also need to make sure that everyone involved is safe. With this mind, we do have a few rules for guests who may be visiting Tommy’s Express for the first time:

- While most vehicles are allowed, we cannot accept any vehicles taller than 84 inches (7 feet) or wider than 90 inches (7 ½ feet).

- Trucks should have their beds clear of anything that may get blown out. If you have a cover, ensure it’s properly installed and secure. In addition, trucks equipped with 5th wheels or non-standard ball hitches should ensure that those parts are free of grease and oil that may transfer to other vehicles.

- Any bike racks or ladder racks must be removed prior to entry.
If your vehicle is heavily rusted or damaged, please visit the wash prior to the event so we can take a look.

- Heavily damaged vehicles may be turned away for the safety of everyone else.

If you’re concerned your vehicle may not be able to enter, or if you have any questions regarding the wash or the Tunnel of Terror, don’t hesitate to call or swing by and talk to one of our team members. It never hurts to ask!