Savvy Stays: Poll of Travelers Reveals the 150 Top Budget-Friendly Motel Locations Across America

Whether it’s a vacation destination or simply a rest stop on a road trip, people on a budget have long recognized the value of motels. These budget lodgings not only offer modern amenities but also come at a fraction of the cost of larger hotel chains or short-term rentals such as Airbnb. 

Some motels offer a local charm that a larger hotel chain simply can’t replicate. Unfortunately, many motels in the U.S. leave a lot to be desired. 

We recently surveyed 3,000 travelers about their opinions on motels. We asked respondents to rate, according to their own experiences, where the best motels are in the U.S. Specifically, the hidden gems that provide exceptional value and comfort at a budget-friendly price.

The survey showed how the perception of motels has changed over the years. No longer seedy, undesirable haunts, motels are now attracting visitors looking for an authentic but affordable travel experience. From vibrant cities to rural country villages and picturesque coastal towns, there is something to suit every type of traveler. 

Here are the top 10 places to get a high-quality motel experience without breaking the bank: 

The most recommended motels in the country are in Mount Dora, Central Florida. Now home to more than 13,000 residents, the city has a distinctly small-town vibe with historic buildings and a large canopy of oak trees. Visitors flock to Mount Dora for its antique shops, and the city hosts numerous events throughout the year, including the Crafts Fair. Mount Dora is now home to the Mount Dora Arts Festival. The motels here offer a convenient option for travelers wanting to visit the city itself or as a base for those planning day trips to nearby Orlando’s theme parks. 

Motels:

• Budget Lodge Mount Dora. Average price from $75 per night. Close to Donnelly House and the First Baptist Church of Mount Dora, this motel features a 24 hour front desk and a swimming pool.
• La Bella Inn. Average price from $74 per night.
• Quality Inn & Suites Mount Dora North. Average price from $76 per night.

Coming in second place, Lake Placid is a stunning village that takes its name from the nearby lake of the same name. Once the home of the Winter Olympics, it is favored by lovers of snow sports, while the stunning landscapes attract outdoor enthusiasts year-round. The motels in Lake Placid provide cozy accommodations for visitors who flock to the area to enjoy all the activities on offer. 

Motels:

• The Town House Lodge. Average price from $199 per night. This pet-friendly accommodation is close to Mirror Lake and has amenities that include a firepit and garden.
• Rodeway Inn. Average price from $119 per night. 
• Cobble Mountain Lodge. Average price from $179 per night.

The motels in Hilo, located on the Big Island, take third place. This Hawaiian paradise is popular for its stunning natural beauty while still offering many of the facilities of a larger town. The motels here are sought-after primarily due to their proximity to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, offering a comfortable base for exploring the nearby waterfalls, botanical gardens, and the centuries-old wooden storefronts of the town.

Motels:

• Arnott’s Lodge. Average price from $153 per night. The lodge provides a terrace, garden, and library, just a 7-minute walk from Onekahakaha Beach Park.
• Wild Ginger Inn. Average price from $107 per night.
• Hale ‘Ohu Bed & Breakfast. Average price from $219 per night.

Another Hawaiian gem, Hana, located on Maui, is famous for the scenic Hana Highway and the Wai’anapanapa State Park. This area is considered by many to offer a more authentic side to Hawaii, unaffected by the modern developments that affect much of the state. The motels here in turn provide a peaceful retreat away from mass tourism, ideal for those interested in exploring the area’s waterfalls, beaches, and rainforests.

Motels:

• God’s Peace of Maui. Average price from $140 per night. Located just a 5 min drive from the town of Makawao, and Pa’ia’s beaches. 
• Heavenly Hana Paradise. Average price from $297 per night.
• Paia Inn. Average price from $268 per night.

Apalachicola is a warm, welcoming port town bursting with hometown charm. The locals are known to be friendly, and the city is home to popular seafood houses, fed by the local fishing industry. Visitors often come to see some of its stately historical buildings too.

Motels:

• Buccaneer Inn. Average price from $179 per night. Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, this straightforward beachfront hotel is a 3-minute walk from the St. George Island Lighthouse and 6 miles from the mainland at Eastpoint.
• Apalachicola Bay Inn. Average price from $95 per night.
• The Gibson Inn. Average price from $189 per night.

In sixth place, DeFuniak Springs is a town in the Florida Panhandle. Although easy to miss due to its small size, a visit here is well worth it for exploring the historic downtown, which centers around a spring-fed lake. Motels in DeFuniak Springs offer cute, authentic stays with a charming country appeal, which you would struggle to find in Florida’s better-known tourist hotspots.

Motels:

• Super 8 by Wyndham DeFuniak Springs. Average price from $68 per night. Located close to Lake Defuniak and Walton County Heritage Museum, it is only 30 miles from the beautiful beaches of South Walton and in the northeast corner of exit 85 off Interstate 10.
• Econo Lodge DeFuniak Springs I-10. Average price from $71 per night.
• Ponce De Leon Motel. Average price from $77 per night.

Mendocino, the first of the California towns on the list, is a coastal town in the northern part of the state. Perched on rugged bluffs and boasting a local population of just 900 people, Mendocino and its motels offer a charming village atmosphere. Motels here are intimate and eclectic, attracting artists and romantics who come for a relaxing stay and to explore the nearby state parks and ocean.

Motels:

• Harbor Lite Lodge. Average price from $169 per night. A perfect ocean getaway motel with rooms overlooking Noyo Harbor.
• Surf Motel and Gardens. Average price from $110 per night.
• Anchor Lodge Motel. Average price from $104 per night.

In eighth, and the second of California’s towns in the top 10, Solvang is located in the Santa Ynez Valley. Many of the motels here reflect the unique Danish-style architecture of the town and are well-placed for exploring the area’s popular wineries, windmills, bakeries, and shops.

Motels:

• Svendsgaard’s Danish Lodge. Average price from $130 per night. This location offers an outdoor pool, a spa tub, and a cozy fireplace in the lobby.
• Viking Inn. Average price from $152 per night.
• Royal Copenhagen Inn. Average price from $170 per night.

Rounding off the top 10, Cooperstown is a charming town home to the Baseball Hall of Fame. It is also known for its picturesque setting on Otsego Lake and its restored historical buildings. Motels here offer comfortable stays for combining a visit to the town’s many cultural attractions with time spent exploring the natural beauty of the surrounding area. 

Motels:

• Hampton Inn. Average price from $157 per night. Located adjacent to the Georgetown Landing Marina, this Motel has a pool and even offers hot breakfasts and weekday breakfast bags to go.
• Quality Inn and Suites. Average price from $66 per night.
• Motel 6 Georgetown. Average price from $73 per night.

One of the most historic towns in the country, Georgetown is home to more than 50 sites on the National Register of Historic Places, alongside waterfront views and all the charms of a Southern harbor town. Its motels are perfect for those looking to explore the lovingly preserved buildings of its famous historic district. 

Motels:

• Hampton Inn.  Average price from $157 per night. Located adjacent to the Georgetown Landing Marina, this Motel has a pool and even offers hot breakfasts and weekday breakfast bags to go.
• Quality Inn and Suites. Average price from $66 per night.
• Motel 6 Georgetown. Average price from $73 per night.

Here are the rest of the top 150 locations for motels in America:

• Many of the cities and towns can be found in the South and East of America. States such as Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia have multiple entries, likely due to their tourist-friendly climates and attractions.
• Various locations on the list, such as Cooperstown, New York; Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; and St. Augustine, Florida, are known for their rich history and cultural significance, attracting visitors interested in exploring America’s heritage.
• Motels in areas boasting scenic natural beauty, such as Mendocino, California; Bar Harbor, Maine; and Taos, New Mexico, are also appealing to travelers seeking out retreats to nature with plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy.
• Small towns seem to boast the top motels, offering a more intimate atmosphere. Some favorites include Abingdon, Virginia; Eureka Springs, Arkansas; and Marfa, Texas.
• Travelers are seeking out towns that provide one-of-a-kind local experiences, such as wine tasting, snow sports, or artisanal shopping. Some top choices include Woodstock, Vermont; Beaufort, South Carolina; and Moab, Utah.
• Coastal and lakeside retreats also excel, with motels in areas like Hilo, Hawaii; Cape May, New Jersey; and Lake Placid, New York, firm favorites for their serene environments and water-based activities.

“When planning a vacation, especially when you are trying to save money, it’s always a smart idea to evaluate all of your accommodation options. Don’t discount motels,” said BadCredit Finance Expert Erica Sandberg. “Not only can they provide you with a safe and comfortable place to stay, they often have character that some large hotel chains lack. Moreover, the money you save can be put to better use on everything from meals, to souvenirs, activities, and events.”

An online panel survey of 3,000 travelers based on age, gender, and geography. Internal data sources are used to obtain population data sets. We used a two-step process to ensure representativeness through stratified sampling and post-stratification weighting. August 2024. The average price per night was taken from Google and Trivago.