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Best Budget Inn

Property class: 2

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Photo gallery for Best Budget Inn

A covered outdoor area with columns, potted plants, and a view of a lake.
A compact kitchenette with a microwave and a refrigerator, a coffee maker on the microwave, and a vent on the refrigerator.
A swimming pool with a curved edge, surrounded by a concrete deck. There are outdoor chairs and umbrellas, and a house is visible in the background.
A covered outdoor area with picnic tables and benches, a view of a lake, and a paved path.
A two-story motel with a sign reading "BEST BUDGET INN" in front.

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
The current price is $93
$88 nightly
$93 total
Total with taxes and fees
Sep 16 - Sep 17

Explore the area

View in a map
13008 State Hwy. 96, Carthage, MO, 64836
  • Place, Civil War Museum
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Precious Moments Chapel
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Place, Downstream Casino Resort
    ‪30 min drive‬
  • Airport, Joplin, MO (JLN-Joplin Regional)
    ‪20 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

A bedroom with a wooden bed, two bedside tables, a nightstand, a hanging clothes rack, and a window with curtains.

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(33 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

A hotel room with two beds, a microwave, and a nightstand with a lamp.

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(12 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Basic Single Room, 1 King Bed

A neatly made bed with a colorful quilt, two bedside lamps, and a framed picture on the wall.

Basic Single Room, 1 King Bed

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(19 reviews)
  • 230 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Similar properties

Indoor pool, seasonal outdoor pool, cabanas (surcharge), pool umbrellas
Downstream Casino Resort
Quapaw
  • Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Spa
  • Parking included
4.6 out of 5, Wonderful, 82 reviews
$127 nightly
The price is $134
Sep 16 - Sep 17
Total with taxes and fees
Downstream Casino Resort

About the neighborhood

Carthage

When you stay at Best Budget Inn in Carthage, you'll be in a state park, within a 5-minute drive of Civil War Museum and Battle of Carthage State Park. .This motel is 1.6 mi (2.6 km) from Jasper County Courthouse and 2.5 mi (4 km) from Red Oak II Museum and Art Community.
View more Motels in CarthageOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Civil War Museum - 3 min drive - 2.0 miles
  • Precious Moments Chapel - 17 min drive - 12.1 miles
  • Downstream Casino Resort - 30 min drive - 35.0 miles
  • Kansas Crossing Casiona + Hotel - 36 min drive - 41.9 miles
  • Pittsburg State University - 40 min drive - 46.1 miles

Getting around

  • Joplin, MO (JLN-Joplin Regional) - 22 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Casey's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪SONIC Drive In - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Arby's - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Iggy's Diner - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Taco Town - ‬7 min drive

About this property

Best Budget Inn

Best Budget Inn offers 18 air-conditioned accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Cable television is provided. Refrigerators and microwaves are provided. Bathrooms include showers and complimentary toiletries.

This Carthage motel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and desk chairs, as well as phones; free local calls are provided (restrictions may apply). Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and blackout drapes/curtains. Housekeeping is offered daily and hair dryers can be requested.

Recreational amenities at the motel include an outdoor pool.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Make yourself at home in one of the 18 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks and coffee/tea makers, as well as phones with free local calls.
Enjoy recreation amenities such as an outdoor pool or take in the view from a garden. Additional features at this Georgian motel include complimentary wireless internet access, a picnic area, and charcoal grills.
A complimentary continental breakfast is served daily from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM.
Featured amenities include express check-out, laundry facilities, and a vending machine. Free self parking is available onsite.
A complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning between 8:00 AM and 9:30 AM.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free uncovered self parking on site
  • RV/bus/truck parking on site

Food and drink

  • Free continental breakfast available daily 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM

Things to do

  • Outdoor pool

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator
  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool

Conveniences

  • Guidebooks
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • In a regional park
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Picnic area
  • Pool loungers

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No elevator
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Well-lit path to entrance

More

  • 1 building
  • 1 floor
  • Built in 1955
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Georgian architecture

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • TV with cable channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Electrical adapters
  • Free local calls
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laundry detergent
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight

Early check-in subject to availability

Early check-in is available for a fee

Contactless check-in available

Late check-in fee for check-in between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM

Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM

Contactless check-out available

Late check-out subject to availability

A late check-out fee will be charged

Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - midnight

Front desk staffed during limited hours

Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours), key retrieval

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 10.00 per pet, per night, plus a deposit of USD 10 per day

Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees

2 total (up to 35 lbs per pet)

Pets cannot be left unattended

Specific rooms only, restrictions apply; pet-friendly rooms can be requested by contacting the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 10.00 per day

Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Pet deposit: USD 10 per day
  • Pet fee: USD 10.00 per pet, per night
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Early check-in is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Late check-in fee for check-in between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 10.00 per day

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a security system

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
The seasonal pool will be open from June to September
Pool access available from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Property is also known as

Best Budget Carthage

Best Budget Inn Motel

Best Budget inn Carthage

Best Budget Inn Carthage

Best Budget Inn Motel Carthage

Best Budget Inn Reviews

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 361 out of 531 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 124 out of 531 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 24 out of 531 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 12 out of 531 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 10 out of 531 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

8/10 Good

Marcia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hotel is next to Kellogg Lake, just a beautiful place for reflection, walking or fishing.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

marina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great place if traveling with dogs! The park is right next to motel to walk them.
Stayed 8 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A great motor lodge on the original Route 66. Clean and comfortable, professional staff.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jared

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Parking was close and convenient, staff was very friendly.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Todd

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Good retro motel with comfy bed. Next to city fishing park. If in area, will stay again!!
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Patricia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Cute place and it was clean.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

daniel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
was cool old style room with great staff. clean and comfort ale. I was worried about non chain hotel but this was better!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Rodney

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Clean, good location, friendly staff
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

james

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was clean and the decor cool.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Patricia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
If you're looking for a resort, keep looking. If you're looking for a small, independent property that gives that nostalgic 1960's, Route 66 vibe: this is it. The room we stayed in, 103, was clean, comfortable, and decorated true to the period with what appeared to be original tile and bathroom fixtures. We'd stay again.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Anita C

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Nice room, dependable WiFi, convenient laundry, and nice place to sit outside and watch geese and ducks on lake across the road.
Stayed 21 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

William

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a fun place to stay. They have kept the Route 66 theme with fun retro decorations. There is a nice park across the street to enjoy. The pool is hidden in the back of the property. We had breakfast at Maple Leaf Coffee shop and Crepery, which is a cozy coffee shop just down the road.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Marty

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
The hotel needs updated
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Dave

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location next to a lake. Staff were friendly and helpful. Room was clean and everything worked. Will definitely stay here again.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

TIMOTHY

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Historic motel that has changed its name from the historic "Lake Shore Motel" (very fitting) to Best Budget Inn....not so attractive! Other than this name change, place is very nice with Route 66 period correct themes in the rooms. Very nice place to stay when traveling Route 66!!.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Darryl

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great little motel. 1950's themed. Cleanest hotel, inside and out, that I think I've ever had the plessure of staying out. If near Joplin, MO it is worth your while to drive over to Carthage for this slice of Americana.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Ian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Historic hotel kept in good shape. Nothing amazing but good enough. Great value.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jeff

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Retro style, clean and comfortable stay on Route 66.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Lori

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very clean room. Softest sheets I've ever had at a hotel. Easy access to highway and city of Carthage. Shower was a little small but nice hot water. Parking right infront of your room. Nice small lake next door to walk around or fish at.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Nicole

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff was amazing, friendly, and so helpful! They had information on everything going on in town and different things we could do in Carthage! They shared history with us! Everything was so clean and a very affordable stay! We will definitely stay here again if we make our way back to Carthage!!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Charley

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great place
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Phillip

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
From start to finish Paula and her husband were the best owners ever! The room was wonderful, vintage everything and everything worked! Great breakfast and it was wonderful that Paula joined us and we got to know some about her and the family! Wish they were in every town on Rt 66! And Carthage was a great town to explore! Even got some treasures at a yard sale!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Deborah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice place to stay and appreciated the easy parking.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

chris

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
I just love this little retro motel it's my favorite United States
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Such warm and friendly folks! Clean and quiet. Our little dog slept like a log too.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2026