My son is getting out of the Air Force in a week and will be road-tripping home.

He will be driving from Warner Robins to Washington and the listed cities are the first three legs of his trip. I’m not familiar with these areas and was hoping the SF community could recommend clean decent hotel/motel chain locations in safe locations around theses areas with easy freeway access. Single night stays, arriving around 5-6pm and leaving 7-8am. Included breakfast is a bonus.


Thanks in advance!

In regards to Memphis, I would stay in the Germantown area.

I stayed at the Holiday Inn Denver/Lakewood in October.

No complaints.

-Rob

We are Hilton Honors members and have always found their Hampton Inn to fit your bill including breakfast

quote:

Originally posted by Skull Leader:
In regards to Memphis, I would stay in the Germantown area.

Agreed, or somewhere like that. Although I'm on the opposite end of the state from there, his car, possessions therein and even himself are not safe. Even the interstate highways (I-40 & 240) passing through it are shitty, in part because they were never completed as originally planned.

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:
We are Hilton Honors members and have always found their Hampton Inn to fit your bill including breakfast

Never had a bad experience at a Hampton Inn. They are our 1 or 2 night go to.
They usually are right off the highway and a place that should be plenty safe for just an overnight.

That sounds like a great road trip for him!

Don't have much to add except it should be a great sight seeing tour and good luck. I love being on the open road. The peace and quiet of the road always gave me time to reflect and think.

Memphis: There are several good hotels at I-55 and Goodman Road just across the state line in Olive Branch, MS. I used to stay at the Drury Inn, they serve dinner and breakfast, although there are several good restaurants close by.

Kansas City: Also a Drury Inn at I-435 at Metcalf Road. Same as the Memphis hotel, also good restaurants nearby.

Both were good hotels and I never had an issue at either one.

I too recommend Olive Branch,MS instead of Memphis and that’s from 20 years ago.

Greenwood village south of Denver has some reasonably priced accommodations.

When we visit our daughter in KC MO we sometimes stay here in Overland Park KS. It's in a decent area, I'm sure any nearby (and cheaper) hotel would also be fine.

https://www.marriott.com/en-us...rland-park/overview/

cusingeroge recommended the Drury three posts above me, that's very close and likely cheaper.

quote:

Originally posted by Skull Leader:
In regards to Memphis, I would stay in the Germantown area.

Agreed! Here is the link to the best hotel:

Many hotel recommendations in this thread.

Steve Goodman traveled a lot, here's what he had to say:

This hotel room gotta lotta stuff
A laundry bag and a shoe shine cloth
Thirty two hangers and a touch tone phone
With a light that goes on when I ain't home

I ain't home
I ain't home
You better leave a message 'cause
I ain't home

They got an air conditioner for when I'm hot
A radiator for when I'm not
Two big chairs sittin' side by side
With a holy bible and a TV Guide

TV Guide
TV Guide
Great God Almighty
It's a TV Guide

They've gotta second story view from curb to curb
A sign that says "Please Don't Disturb"
A monogrammed towel and a bucket of ice
A chest of drawers and a mirror that lies

A mirror that lies
A mirror that lies
That can't be me
And it's a mirror that lies

They got a room service menu for food and drink
A porcelain throne and an aluminum sink
Two big pillows to rest my head
Magic Fingers on a king-size bed

Put in a quarter and
Turn out the light
Magic Fingers make ya feel alright

Feel alright
Feel alright
Magic Fingers make you feel alright

This hotel here's all right with me
And they pay the postage if you lose the key
This hotel room's gotta lot of stuff
But I do believe I've had enough

I called my baby said don't you pout
I'm packin' my bags and I'm checkin' out
Just as soon as you hang up at the telephone
Stick a candle in the window I'm comin' home

I'm comin' home
Comin' home
Stick a candle in the window
I'm comin' home

Whoa comin' home
Comin' home
Stick a candle in the window
I'm comin' home

quote:

Originally posted by Skull Leader:
In regards to Memphis, I would stay in the Germantown area.

Or Collierville. There are a few decent options available. In either case, I know you'll be in a decent position if you stick with Poplar Ave addresses.

Holiday in express Kansas city at the legends.

When I worked for the State of TN I had to make plenty of trip to Memphis. I have an aunt that has lived in Bartlett most of her adult life. I stayed at the Germantown Rd or Barlett exit. Don’t go do tourist stuff without protection. I went to the mall in that area a few times but only armed. I wouldn’t take my family anywhere else around Memphis. When my wife was to be sworn in as a citizen, they held it at the jankiest library in the heart of low income Memphis. Wouldn’t have been there if we didn’t have to be there. Kansas City, you’re on your own. Last few times I went through there for shooting competitions, I would have been very nervous if we didn’t have a van full of the most accurate rifles made and 6 world class shooters inside.

Thanks all for the info!

Not really a sightseeing trip for him, just getting point “A” to point “B”. He is rolling solo and longest drive for him to date is the 4 hour round trip from Warner Robins to ATL on occasion. Total is about 2800 miles, planning on a relaxed pace of 7-8 hours drive time and only 450-600 miles a day with a short home stretch of 300 miles or so. Six day trip unless there are complications.


I’ve forwarded the info to him with targets of Olive Branch MS, Overland Park KS, Fort Collins CO, Ogden UT, and Pendleton OR overnight destinations. He will be carrying minimal belongings and unloading car at night so nothing left to attract miscreants.


If all goes according to plan he will hit the road on the 25th and be home on the 30th. Hopefully late enough in the season that weather won’t be an issue, but he is flexible enough to wait anything out or just take a day off to rest if needed.


Can’t wait for him to be home.

I’m just slightly picky about where I park for the night traveling. It’s usually out a bit from any larger urban areas, then under a light in the parking lot.

All else being equal, thieves would prefer an out of State plate.

quote:

Kansas City: Also a Drury Inn at I-435 at Metcalf Road. Same as the Memphis hotel, also good restaurants nearby.

Any of the Drury Inn properties are nice places to stay. They are NOT franchise hotels and the company sets a high standard for cleanliness and service. Plus they have a free happy hour in the evening, each adult in the room gets three free drinks!

In regards to Memphis. Lock your doors and don’t stop.