Kansas is a place where road trips still feel like a journey through American history. On a press trip with Kansas Tourism, we drove west from Abilene to Dodge City, following the route once traveled by pioneers, cowboys, and lawmen.

Between stretches of open prairie and two-lane highways, we stayed at three comfortable, practical hotels that made perfect overnight stops, modern comforts set against a backdrop of Wild West legend.

Here’s what I discovered: staying at three reliable stops for a Kansas road trip: Holiday Inn Express Abilene, Best Western Scott City, and Holiday Inn Express Dodge City.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Abilene

Just off Interstate 70, the Holiday Inn Express in Abilene is easy to reach and perfectly positioned for exploring the historic heart of Kansas. Within a few minutes, I could be walking through the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, touring Old Abilene Town, or browsing the downtown Abilene antique shops. For a traveler crossing the state, this stop makes a seamless transition from highway to heritage.

Public Spaces

The lobby is bright and practical, with plenty of space to stretch after a day of driving. The seating area felt inviting, with a business corner and access to the indoor pool and fitness room nearby. It’s the kind of place where you can check in quickly, grab a cup of coffee, and immediately feel you’ve found a safe and comfortable stop.

Room Features

My room was modern, spotless, and quiet. A comfortable bed, good lighting, a large desk, USB outlets near the bed, a devan, and strong Wi-Fi made it easy to catch up on notes from the road. The air-conditioning was steady, an essential in Kansas summers, and the blackout curtains ensured I slept soundly even though the hotel sits close to the highway.

Special Features

This is a newer build, which means the design feels fresh and uncluttered. It’s pet-friendly, offers plenty of parking, and includes all the conveniences a traveler expects. I appreciated the easy elevator access and wide hallways, small details that make traveling with luggage or camera gear a little easier.

Food and Dining

Breakfast is complimentary and generous, with hot eggs, sausage, and the chain’s famous pancake machine. It’s a perfect way to fuel up before exploring town. For dinner, we ate next door at the Brookville Restaurant and TapHouse Bar & Grill, family-style.

Facilities and Amenities

An indoor pool and hot tub, fitness room, and self-serve laundry give this property a “road-trip-ready” feel. There’s plenty of parking, including spots for larger vehicles or trailers.

Things Nearby

Abilene is one of those towns that rewards an overnight stay rather than a quick stop.

• You can visit the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, then wander into Old Abilene Town, where historic buildings and staged gunfights (in summer) bring the late-1800s frontier to life.
• A short drive north will take you to the Greyhound Hall of Fame, a small museum dedicated to the racing dogs that were once Kansas icons.
• Train enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, which offers seasonal rides through the rolling countryside, sometimes pulled by a restored steam engine.
• Visit the World’s Largest Belt Buckle.

Verdict: Abilene’s Holiday Inn Express is the ideal base for exploring a small town rich in presidential and frontier history, a practical, comfortable choice that still keeps the heart of Kansas within reach.

Check rates online for the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Abilene at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.

Best Western El-Quartelejo Inn & Suites, Scott City

Driving west from Abilene toward the wide-open prairie, Scott City feels like stepping back into the geography of early explorers. The Best Western El-Quartelejo Inn & Suites sits along South Main Street, the main route through town.

It’s a good lodging option for visiting Lake Scott State Park and the El Quartelejo Ruins, Kansas’s only known Native American pueblo site.

Public Spaces

The lobby is small but has local artwork and comfortable seating.

Room Features

My room offered all the road-trip essentials: strong Wi-Fi, a spacious layout, a mini-fridge, a microwave, and a coffee-maker. The bedding was comfortable, and the air conditioning was quiet. The decor was perhaps a bit dated, and for some reason, standing in the shower, the floor creaked as if it might give way. I could have done without the 1 am fire alarm.

Food and Dining

Breakfast is included and hearty, featuring waffles, eggs, sausage, and good coffee. There’s no on-site restaurant, but several local diners nearby serve the kind of meals you hope to find on a cross-country road trip.

Facilities and Amenities

Amenities include free parking, an indoor pool, an exercise room, and a guest laundry. There’s also a small business centre if you need to check your email or plan your next route.

Things Nearby

Scott City might not appear on many itineraries, but it deserves a stop.

• Just 12 miles north lies Lake Scott State Park, a surprising oasis tucked between limestone bluffs and rolling prairie. The lake invites swimming, boating, and picnicking in summer, but it’s also a gateway to the El Quartelejo Ruins, the remnants of a 17th-century pueblo built by Taos Indians and Spanish settlers, a rare glimpse of early colonial history on the plains.
• From here, it’s a scenic drive south to Monument Rocks, towering chalk formations that rise out of the prairie like a natural cathedral. They’re one of Kansas’s most photographed landscapes, and sunset paints them in shades of gold and crimson.
• Back in town, Scott County Historical Museum offers a well-curated look at frontier life, with displays on ranching, Native American culture, and pioneer homesteads. Just outside town, Duff’s Buffalo Ranch provides a closer look at the region’s prairie heritage, where visitors can see bison up close and learn about conservation efforts that keep these herds thriving on the plains.

It’s a reminder that sometimes the best road-trip stops are the ones between the famous destinations.

Verdict: You won’t be writing home about your stay at the Best Western in Scott City, but you won’t regret it either.

Check rates online for the Best Western El-Quartelejo Inn & Suites, Scott City at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Dodge City

Dodge City represents the Wild West legend itself. The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Dodge City sits in the Heritage District, right across from the Boot Hill Museum and a short walk from downtown. The location couldn’t be better for travelers seeking a bit of Old West atmosphere without sacrificing modern convenience.

Public Spaces

The lobby feels contemporary and efficient, with an open layout and friendly staff who check you in quickly. There’s a small shop for snacks and road supplies, a business corner, and easy access to the indoor pool. I liked how everything felt new and well-lit, ideal for families or solo travelers.

Room Features

My room was spacious and well-appointed with Wi-Fi, a large TV, a mini-fridge, and a coffee-maker. The bedding was comfortable and the room quiet, which was impressive given the downtown location. I appreciated being able to walk across the street to attractions and restaurants, yet return to a peaceful night’s sleep.

Special Features

The property’s greatest advantage is proximity. You can park once and spend an entire day exploring Dodge City on foot. The hotel is also pet-friendly, offers free parking, and has a fitness room.

Food and Dining

Breakfast is complimentary and includes eggs, sausage, fruit, and pastries. Don’t skip the cinnamon rolls; they were above average for a chain-hotel breakfast.

For lunch or dinner, Dodge City has a lively restaurant scene just a short walk away, everything from classic steakhouses to breweries and Mexican restaurants.

Facilities and Amenities

There’s an indoor pool, fitness centre, self-serve laundry, and business services.

Things Nearby

• Few towns embrace their frontier legacy as wholeheartedly as Dodge City. Across the street, the Boot Hill Museum reconstructs an 1870s main street, complete with costumed interpreters, an old west photo studio, a world-class museum, and saloon doors that creak just the way they should. In the summer, you can join a Gunfighters Show performance at Boot Hill Museum.
• Statues of the city’s lawmen dot the town, including Wyatt Earp and fictional lawman Matt Dillon. 
• A few blocks away, you can follow the Dodge City Trail of Fame, a walking tour with bronze sidewalk medallions honoring western legends and film stars who helped immortalize the town.

Verdict: The Holiday Inn Express in Dodge City combines convenience, comfort, and the unbeatable experience of sleeping right in the middle of western history. For anyone driving across Kansas, this is the kind of stop that turns a road trip into a story.

Check rates online for the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Dodge City at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.

Final Thoughts

A Kansas road trip reveals far more than endless plains. It’s a journey through presidential history, ancient ruins, and the lore of the Wild West, all connected by open skies and good roads.

• Abilene’s Holiday Inn Express anchors you near Eisenhower’s boyhood home and the echoes of early railroads.
• Scott City’s Best Western brings you close to ancient pueblos and natural rock cathedrals rising from the prairie.
• Dodge City’s Holiday Inn Express lets you walk straight into a living Western legend.

My strip was part of a press trip with Kansas tourism. The opinions expressed are my own.