Best Motels for Thrifty, Picky Travelers Along Eastern I-70

My family and I recently took a road trip from our home in upstate New York, to Topeka Kansas. Although we travel great distances by car fairly often, this is the first time we've taken this particular route including the Eastern stretch of Interstate 70.

Luckily, we found some great accomodations along the way: high quality and low to moderately priced. Although I am very budget-minded, I am also pretty picky about sleeping accommodations. I can't stand cigarette smell, bad beds, noise, or any manner of unpleasantness. I'll put up with it if I have to, but I'm a pretty picky customer.

Below are my suggestions for motels along I-70. All of the suggestions are fairly right off the highway for convenience and easy navigation.

Red Roof Inn: Dublin, Ohio (Suburb of Columbus)

5125 Post Road

(614) 743-3993

Rate: 2 beds, $56.99

This motel was newer, inexpensive, clean, quiet, close to a plethora of reliable chains restaurants and shops like Chipotle, Starbucks, and Barnes and Noble. Entirely suitable and conducive to a quick, easy overnight stop, and a fuss-free morning send-off.

Motel 6: Plainfield, Indiana

6105 Cambridge Way

Plainfield, IN

(317) 838-9300

Rate: 2 beds, $50.99

I called this the best Motel 6 in the world. Obviously, I haven't been to every Motel 6 in the world, but believe me, I've been to a lot. This motel is very new-the carpet had not even been installed quite yet in our little stairway foyer. That was actually a good, promising sign to me-newness!

When we got to the room, it was a fabulous, welcome surprise. A mini refrigerator, microwave, extremely comfortable beds and pillows, and a sparkling clean bathroom, with floors that literally gleamed. To top it off, after we stayed there is even an indoor pool and hot tub. The best $50 a night motel ever.

Holiday Inn Holidome, Topeka, Kansas

$70-$85

605 Fairlawn Road

(785)272-8040 (front desk)

1-888-HOLIDAY (reservations)

This place is a bit more expensive. It was one of our destinations, so we splurged a little, to have access to the wonderful amenities: a perfectly heated indoor pool with water slide, gigantic stone and tile hot tub with a fountain in the center, small cozy lobby bar and lounge, café, ping-pong, pool tables, etc.

The rooms are clean, pleasant, and have been remodeled and redecorated recently. Ask for a room on the perimeter, away from the inner holidome, poolside area. Note that the waterslide is only accessible on the weekends, (an unadvertised fact) but the pool and all other areas are open every day.

Chances are Topeka is not going to be your destination, but if you happen to be driving quite a distance, you might consider a road respite by staying here to take advantage of the hotel's offerings, especially if you are traveling with teens or children.

The extra $15-$20 difference in price may be made up by taking advantage of the generous coupons they hand you upon check in: 2 free bar drinks per adult, and $5.00 off a menu item in the small hotel restaurant-and pleasant, full breakfasts are priced very moderately between about $5.50 and $8.00.

A note: by travelling down Fairlawn Road (the street directly in front of the hotel) you will find a hidden gem of an old, classic Topeka fast food Mexican restaurant, Taco Villa. The chili con queso is legendary and highly recommended.

Taco Villa, 5300 Sw 21st St, (785)282-8030 (look for the red and white striped sign in a strip mall-like structure-can't miss it!)