<p>Despite being motivated, individuals with higher autistic traits report difficulty in initiating romantic relationships. Yet, few studies have explored how these difficulties manifest in real-life dating situations. Within real dating contexts, we sought to answer whether individuals higher in autistic traits make less favorable first impressions that influence dating success and whether they may be less selective in who they are willing to date. Undergraduate students (<i>N</i> = 129) completed a measure of autistic traits and attended one of eight speed-dating events. Participants rated their partners on various characteristics (Big Five traits, physical attractiveness, humor, ambition, intelligence, and kindness), indicated whether they would like their partner for a second date, and specified what type of relationship(s) they desired their partner for (e.g., long-term romantic relationship, hookup, friendship). People with higher autistic traits were rated by their dates as less agreeable, conscientious, physically attractive, and kind, and were less likely to be chosen for a second date. Physical attractiveness fully mediated the negative relationship between participant’s autistic traits and them being chosen for a second date. Furthermore, women (but not men) higher in autistic traits were generally more likely to choose others for a second date (i.e., they were less selective). Overall, though, individuals with higher autistic traits preferred others for companionate relationships (not wholly sexual relationships). The findings provide new insight into how autistic traits shape real-life dating outcomes. The study suggests ideas for interventions and highlights the utility of studying autistic traits dimensionally in non-clinical samples.</p>