InnlanternIndependent guide to where to stay

Motel · Joplin and Carthage, Missouri

Plaza Motel

2612 East 7th Street (Route 66), Joplin, MO 64801 · Show on map

Photo: Booking.com

Plaza Motel suits road-trippers who want a clean, single-storey motel on Route 66 in Joplin, close to I-44 and the Kansas stretch of the road, with a laundry for a long trip. It suits less late arrivals, as check-in closes at 19:00, and anyone sensitive to smoke, as some rooms are smoking rooms.

Facts checked on 17 Oct 2026. Prices and availability change: Booking.com shows the current ones. You book and pay on Booking.com.

Photos of Plaza Motel

Why stay here

  • On Route 66 itselfIt is on East 7th Street, the Route 66 alignment through Joplin, close to I-44, about 3.2 km from the Route 66 Carousel Park. Location scores 8.2.
  • Clean, with good Wi-FiCleanliness scores 8.2 and Wi-Fi 8.8. Overall it has 7.4 on Booking.com from 113 reviews (checked 17 Oct 2026).
  • Laundry on siteThere is a guest laundry, useful halfway through a long Route 66 drive. Parking is free.

Good to know before you book

  • Check-in closes at 19:00Check-in runs from 14:00 to 19:00 only. If you may arrive later, contact the motel before you book.
  • Some smoking roomsSome rooms are smoking rooms, according to our notes from the listing. Ask for a non-smoking room.
  • Google is much lowerOn Google Maps it has 3.2 from 229 reviews.
  • No extra bedsThere are no cots or extra beds, and the minimum check-in age is 18. Pets on request, with charges that may apply.

Guest sub-scores on Booking.com

  • Free WiFi8.8
  • Cleanliness8.2
  • Location8.2
  • Comfort8.0
  • Value for money8.0
  • Staff7.9
  • Facilities7.7

Average scores out of 10 from 113 reviews on Booking.com, checked on 17 Oct 2026.

Rooms

There are three room types: the queen room, the king room and the standard double room. Rooms have cable TV, a microwave and a fridge, according to the listing.

Room types listed on Booking.com

  • Queen room
  • King room
  • Standard double room

Getting there and around

From Tulsa

Take I-44 northeast, about 110 miles (175 km), roughly 1 h 45 min, or the old Route 66 through Miami, Oklahoma, and the short Kansas stretch through Baxter Springs and Galena.

To Carthage

The 66 Drive-In and the courthouse square in Carthage are about 20 minutes east on the old road.

To St. Louis

Take I-44 northeast, about 280 miles (450 km), roughly four hours.

How it compares

Plaza Motel against the Carthage motel, the Tulsa motel and the Bourbon motel in this guide.

HotelAreaBooking.com scorePrice levelApprox. price, 2 people
Plaza MotelJoplin and Carthage, Missouri7.4 (113)€€ · Mid-range€65
Guest House MotelJoplin and Carthage, Missouri7.7 (92)€€ · Mid-range€63
Crystal MotelTulsa, Oklahoma7.0 (40)€€ · Mid-range€60
Budget Inn MotelBourbon, Missouri7.7 (73)——

Price for 2 adults, 12–15 January 2027, as shown on Booking.com on 17 Oct 2026.

Questions

What time does check-in close?

At 19:00, according to the policy on Booking.com (checked 17 Oct 2026).

Are there non-smoking rooms?

Some rooms are smoking rooms; ask for a non-smoking room when you book.

Is there a laundry?

Yes, a guest laundry on site.

What is its score?

7.4 on Booking.com from 113 reviews (checked 17 Oct 2026) and 3.2 on Google Maps from 229 reviews.

See prices on Booking.com

Independent guide page, not the hotel's own website. Innlantern wrote it from public information. Do you run this hotel? Corrections and requests: [email protected]. See also How we choose and review.

Around Joplin and Carthage, Missouri

What to see from here, with the canyon, Route 66 and the desert parks.

More places to stay: Route 66 from California to Missouri

Other places in the guide, closest area first, with their guest scores.

Guest House MotelPhoto: Booking.comJoplin and Carthage, Missouri7.7

Guest House Motel

MotelGuest House Motel suits road-trippers and families who want a small, clean motel in Carthage, close to the courthouse square and the 66 Drive-In, with breakfast and a laundry. It suits less travellers with pets, which are not allowed, and younger travellers: the minimum check-in age is 20.7.7on Booking.com · 92 reviewsfrom €63
The RelicPhoto: Booking.comAmarillo and Vega, Texas9.5

The Relic

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Route 66 Desert Rose MotelPhoto: Booking.comAmarillo and Vega, Texas8.4

Route 66 Desert Rose Motel

MotelThe Desert Rose Motel suits Route 66 drivers who want a quiet, well-kept motel room on the old road west of Amarillo, with breakfast. It suits less travellers under 21, who cannot check in, and those who want to pay cash.8.4on Booking.com · 201 reviewsfrom €77
Mojave InnPhoto: Booking.comVictorville and Apple Valley (High Desert)8.2

Mojave Inn

MotelMojave Inn suits drivers who want a clean, renovated motel room for the last night before Los Angeles or the first night out of it, close to I-15. It suits less families who need extra beds, and travellers who want a pool or a historic Route 66 atmosphere.8.2on Booking.com · 238 reviewsfrom €76
Cattle Country LodgePhoto: Booking.comStroud, Oklahoma8.1

Cattle Country Lodge

MotelCattle Country Lodge suits road-trippers and families who want a dependable night between Tulsa and Oklahoma City, with breakfast included and a short drive to the Rock Cafe on Route 66. It suits less travellers who pay cash, as it takes cards only.8.1on Booking.com · 79 reviewsfrom €77
Bedford InnPhoto: Booking.comElk City, Oklahoma7.9

Bedford Inn

MotelBedford Inn suits adult road-trippers who want a clean, well-priced motel by I-40 in Elk City, with a front desk open around the clock and pets welcome. It does not take children, and it suits less anyone who needs to work online: Wi-Fi scores 5.0.7.9on Booking.com · 74 reviewsfrom €66
Budget Inn MotelPhoto: Booking.comBourbon, Missouri7.7

Budget Inn Motel

MotelBudget Inn Motel suits adult road-trippers who want a simple, quiet room by I-44 for the first or last night of the drive from St. Louis, close to Meramec Caverns. It does not take children, and anyone who needs Wi-Fi should look elsewhere: guests rate it 2.5.7.7on Booking.com · 73 reviews
Budget InnPhoto: Booking.comNeedles, California (Colorado River)7.5

Budget Inn

MotelBudget Inn suits road-trippers who need a simple, friendly night in Needles after the Oatman road or before the Mojave, and drivers with an RV or a trailer, who can park on site. It suits less travellers who want a pool, breakfast or a place with character, or anyone reading the Google reviews, which are cooler than Booking's.7.5on Booking.com · 108 reviews
Hotel Avenida VictorvillePhoto: Booking.comVictorville and Apple Valley (High Desert)7.2

Hotel Avenida Victorville

HotelHotel Avenida suits travellers who want a pool and a restaurant on site for a night by I-15, and couples who fancy a king room with a jetted tub. It suits less anyone who puts weight on Google reviews, where it scores far lower than on Booking.com, and families who need extra beds.7.2on Booking.com · 419 reviewsfrom €71
Flamingo InnPhoto: Booking.comElk City, Oklahoma7.1

Flamingo Inn

MotelFlamingo Inn suits adult road-trippers who want to sleep on Route 66 itself, under a vintage sign and a short walk from the National Route 66 Museum. It does not take children, and it suits less travellers who want the cleanest or most comfortable room in town.7.1on Booking.com · 216 reviews

All 15 hotels in Route 66 from California to Missouri

Plan the trip

Practical guides, with sources, to decide how long to stay, how to travel and when to go.

See prices on Booking.com