Why should I stay at a motel?

The main perk of staying at a motel is the price. A motel room is very cheap, which means you can spend more on exploring local attractions. Because they're typically along major routes, motels are very convenient for anyone who's driving to their destination. Parking is usually available at no charge.

Where do you find motels?

Motels are an American invention, sprouting up across the country at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, they're still a very popular lodging option for many travellers, and you'll find them in all types of towns and cities, from Seattle to Miami, from LA to New York. You can also find motels in Europe, as well as the Middle East and Asia. In Canada, consider a motel in Niagara Falls when you go.

How much does it cost to stay in a motel?

It's generally cheaper to stay in a motel than most other types of lodging. These roadside accommodations tend to be affordable because their array of amenities is typically small and simple. You will, however, find a good number of motels that offer more facilities and services like pools and cooked breakfast. These tend to command higher rates than the basic motels. You might also find that motels close to major attractions are pricier.

How to book a motel

If you're looking to travel on a budget across North America or go on a European road trip, it should be easy to search for the right motel with Expedia (or just check out North Americans hotels with free parking). Simply enter your travel dates and destination in the appropriate search boxes, then sort your results to show motels only. To make your travel easier and get more discounts, you might want to try bundling your lodging with a flight and/or car rental.

What do motels offer?

For motels, including major chains like Super 8, amenities available tend to be very similar. They have simply furnished rooms or suites, plus parking space. Some have exterior corridors, which means guests can park their cars right outside their rooms. Motels also offer basic services, which makes them ideal for overnight stays – you get the privacy that you need to rest up before resuming your journey the next day. You do get motels with more facilities such as outdoor pools, free Wi-Fi, and games rooms or outdoor play areas for kids.

Motels vs hotels

What's the difference between a motel and a hotel? There are several reasons why it makes sense to pick a motel over a standard hotel. One of these is that motels are by the road, which means you won't have to brave the traffic into a city or town to get to your accommodation.

Motels also have lower rates than hotels, which makes them ideal if you're travelling on a budget. Parking is readily available in a motel, a feature that makes it suitable for business travellers and those on a road trip.

Motels close to me

Use Expedia's powerful accommodation tool to search for a motel nearby or even farther. You can use our search wizard to narrow the results down to the options that match your needs and budget the most, whether you're after a no-frills motel or one that offers more amenities.