Pulling into a car wash for the first time can feel a little uncertain, especially if you’re not sure what to expect. Will you need to stay in your car? How does the payment work? What if you pick the wrong wash package?
At Rocket Express Car Wash in Littleton, Colorado, we’ve designed every part of the experience to be straightforward, fast, and honestly, kind of fun. As a family-owned and operated business, we take pride in making first-time visitors feel comfortable from the moment they arrive. Our state-of-the-art conveyor car wash uses cutting-edge technology from Ryko Manufacturing, a leader in the car wash industry, to deliver a thorough clean in just minutes.
Whether you’re swinging by during your lunch break or finally tackling that road trip grime on the weekend, here’s everything you need to know about your first visit to Rocket Express Car Wash.
How the Express Car Wash Process Works
Our express tunnel car wash is designed for efficiency without cutting corners on quality. The entire process typically takes just a few minutes, and you won’t need to leave your vehicle at any point.
Arriving and Entering the Wash Bay
When you pull up to Rocket Express Car Wash, you’ll see clear signage directing you toward the wash entrance. There’s no need to stress about what happens next, our friendly staff is usually on-site to help guide first-timers through the process.
Before entering the wash bay, you’ll stop at the payment kiosk. Here, you can select your preferred wash package (more on those below) and pay using credit card, debit, or cash. If you’ve signed up for our monthly unlimited plan, your RFID windshield tag will be automatically scanned, and you can skip straight through, no stopping required.
Once payment is complete, the entry light will signal when it’s safe to proceed. Simply put your vehicle in neutral, take your foot off the brake, and let the conveyor system do the rest.
Navigating Through the Automated System
As your car enters the tunnel, you’ll be guided onto the conveyor track. The system gently pulls your vehicle forward at a controlled pace, so there’s nothing you need to do except sit back and enjoy the show.
Inside the tunnel, your car moves through multiple wash stages. First comes the pre-soak application, which loosens dirt and grime. Then, high-pressure rinses and soft-cloth scrubbers work to lift contaminants from your vehicle’s surface. Depending on the package you selected, you might also experience tire cleaning, wheel brightening, and protective wax applications.
One thing we’re particularly proud of is our PurClean Spot-Free Rinse System from New Wave Industries. This advanced technology ensures that when your car exits the tunnel, it dries without those annoying water spots that plague lesser washes. The final stage includes powerful air dryers that blow off excess water, leaving your vehicle ready for the road.
The whole process is smooth, automated, and designed to protect your car’s finish while delivering exceptional results.
Wash Packages and Pricing Options
We offer three wash packages at Rocket Express Car Wash, each designed to meet different needs and budgets. Here’s what you can choose from:
Blast & Dash – $10 per visit or $19/month unlimited
Our entry-level wash covers the basics: a thorough exterior clean that removes everyday dirt, dust, and road grime. It’s perfect for regular maintenance washes or when you just need a quick refresh.
Nitro Wash – $15 per visit or $24/month unlimited
This mid-tier option steps things up with additional cleaning power, enhanced tire and wheel attention, and a protective wax coating that helps repel dirt between washes. If you want more than a basic clean but aren’t looking for the full premium experience, Nitro is a solid choice.
Rocket Wash – $20 per visit or $29/month unlimited
Our flagship package delivers the complete Rocket Express experience. You’ll get everything from the lower tiers plus our most advanced protective treatments, extra shine applications, and the deepest clean we offer. For drivers who want their car looking showroom-ready, this is the one to pick.
All three packages benefit from our state-of-the-art equipment and eco-friendly water reclamation system. And here’s something worth noting: we use just 18 gallons of fresh water per wash, compared to the 60 to 120 gallons a typical home wash consumes. So you’re getting a superior clean while being kinder to the environment.
Additional Services and Amenities
A great exterior wash is just the beginning. We’ve equipped our facility with amenities that let you tackle the inside of your vehicle too.
Free Vacuum Stations
Yes, you read that right, free vacuums. We offer 12 self-serve vacuum stations that are complimentary with the purchase of any wash package. No digging for quarters, no rushing to beat a timer. Take your time and get those floor mats, seats, and hard-to-reach crevices properly cleaned.
The vacuum stations are positioned for easy access after you exit the wash tunnel. Pull into an open bay, grab a hose, and go to town. Whether it’s French fries wedged between the seats or dog hair that seems to multiply overnight, our vacuums have the suction power to handle it.
Interior Cleaning Supplies
Beyond vacuums, we provide supplies to help you wipe down interior surfaces, clean windows, and freshen up your cabin. It’s all part of making your visit as complete as possible. You came for a car wash, but you can leave with a vehicle that looks (and smells) like new inside and out.
We also want to mention that our entire facility runs on solar power technology. So while you’re vacuuming and tidying up, you can feel good knowing the energy powering those stations comes from a renewable source.
Tips for a Smooth First Visit
A little preparation goes a long way in making your first Rocket Express experience seamless. Here are some practical tips:
Remove or secure loose items. Before entering the wash, check your dashboard, cup holders, and rear window area for anything that might shift or fall during the wash cycle. The conveyor movement is gentle, but it’s still a good habit.
Retract your antenna if applicable. Most modern vehicles have fixed or automatic antennas, but if you’ve got an older model with a manual antenna, lower it before entering the tunnel. Our equipment is designed to be safe for vehicles, but there’s no reason to take unnecessary risks.
Close all windows and sunroofs. This might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised. Double-check before you pull forward. A quick glance saves you from an unpleasant surprise.
Put your vehicle in neutral. Once you’re on the conveyor track, shift into neutral and keep your foot off the brake. The system will guide your car through at the correct pace. If you have an automatic transmission, just make sure you’re not accidentally in park or drive.
Relax and enjoy the ride. Seriously, the lights, the foam, the brushes doing their thing, it’s kind of mesmerizing. Some customers tell us it’s the most relaxing few minutes of their day.
Don’t forget the vacuums. After your wash, pull over to one of our free vacuum stations and give your interior some attention. It only takes a few extra minutes and makes a noticeable difference.
If you have any questions during your visit, our staff is always happy to help. We’d rather answer a quick question than have you feel uncertain about anything.
Membership and Unlimited Wash Plans
If you find yourself washing your car more than twice a month, our monthly unlimited plan is worth serious consideration. The math is simple: at just two washes per month, the plan already pays for itself. Anything beyond that is essentially free.
Here’s how it works. When you sign up for a monthly plan, we’ll install an RFID tag on your windshield. This small, unobtrusive tag communicates with our entry system automatically. When you pull up, the scanner reads your tag, verifies your membership, and the gate opens, no stopping, no fumbling for payment. It’s genuinely effortless.
Our monthly plans are available at all three wash levels:
- Blast & Dash Unlimited – $19/month
- Nitro Wash Unlimited – $24/month
- Rocket Wash Unlimited – $29/month
You can order your membership online or sign up in person during your first visit. And because we’re family-owned, we keep things flexible. No long-term contracts, no hidden fees, no hassle if you need to cancel.
Think about it this way: Colorado weather can be unpredictable. Snow, mud, pollen, road salt, your car takes a beating throughout the year. With unlimited washes, you can stop by as often as you want without thinking twice about the cost. Drove through a construction zone on Monday? Come back. Got caught in a dust storm Thursday? Come back. Keeping your car clean becomes something you just do, not something you budget for.
We also offer fleet services for businesses that need to keep multiple vehicles looking professional. If that applies to you, reach out and we’ll put together a plan that makes sense for your operation.
Conclusion
Your first visit to Rocket Express Car Wash doesn’t need to be complicated. Pull up, pick a package, enjoy a thorough automated wash powered by industry-leading technology, and drive away with a spotless vehicle. Hit the free vacuum stations on your way out, and you’ve got a car that looks like it just rolled off the lot.
We’ve invested in the best equipment available, from Ryko Manufacturing’s wash systems to New Wave Industries’ PurWater Reclaim technology that lets us recycle 100 percent of our wash water. We use solar power throughout our facility. And we genuinely care about every customer who comes through, because that’s what being family-owned means to us.
Whether you’re stopping by for a single wash or joining our unlimited membership family, we’re confident you’ll see why Littleton drivers trust us with their vehicles. We’ll see you at the wash.