What Is the Average Cost of a Motel Room in the US?

Motel rooms are a popular choice for travelers looking for an affordable stay. The average cost of a motel room in the United States varies depending on your state.

So, the answer will depend on your area of stay.

The average cost of a motel room in the United States is around $60.74 per night. However, this number can drop or rise depending on what area you are staying in.

Generally, more populated states are priced higher, while less populated states are lower.

In this article, we will explore the latest data on motels and provide a breakdown of the average room cost in each state.

Table of Contents

How Much Do Motels Cost on Average?

motel room in California
Tomasz Wozniak / Shutterstock

The average cost of a motel room in the United States is $60.74 per night. However, this price can vary significantly depending on which state you are staying in.

For example, the average cost of a motel room in California is $81.80 per night, while the average price of a motel room in Texas is only $48.66 per night.

More populated or “dense” areas of the United States tend to have higher prices. However, areas that are more secluded or have fewer people tend to be lower in pricing.

What Factors Affects Motel Pricing in the US?

Several factors affect how much you will pay for a motel room in the United States. These include:

– The state or region that you are staying in

– The time of year (seasonality)

– The occupancy rate of the motel

– Whether or not the motel is pet-friendly

What is the Most Expensive State for Motels?

The most expensive state for motels is Hawaii, where the average room cost is $138.00 per night. This is nearly double the national average!

Other states that are relatively expensive for motel rooms include Alaska ($109.00), Massachusetts ($106.00), and Rhode Island ($103.00).

What is the Least Expensive State for Motels?

Wigwam
TFoxFoto / Shutterstock

The least expensive state for motels is Louisiana, where the average room cost is only $43.00 per night.

This is nearly 30% cheaper than the national average!

Other states that are relatively inexpensive for motel rooms include Arkansas ($44.00), Mississippi ($45.00), and Oklahoma ($46.00).

How Does Seasonality Affect Motel Room Costs?

The seasonality of your travel can also affect how much you pay for a motel room. For example, rates tend to be higher in the summer months when demand is at its peak.

However, you can often find cheaper rates during the winter months.

Generally, the best time to find cheap motel rates is from mid-January to early February and from late August to mid-September.

However, this will vary depending on your location.

Average Motel Rate by US Region

When broken down by region, the average cost of a motel room in the Northeast is $68.72 per night, while the average price in the South is $59.21 per night.

In the Midwest, the average cost of a motel room is $56.54 per night; in the West, the average price of a motel room is $67.47 per night.

So, what is your state’s average cost of a motel room? Check out the list below to find out!

Average Cost of Motel Rooms by State

As you can see, there is plenty of variance in the pricing of a motel room per night across the United States.

Tulare
Matt Gush / Shutterstock

However, plenty of areas fall between $40 to $80. So, you should expect a motel room to cost an average of that range.

Frequently Asked Questions: Average Motel Cost in the US

What is the average cost of a motel room in the United States?

The average cost of a motel room in the United States is $60.74 per night. However, this price can vary significantly depending on which state you are staying in.

For example, the average cost of a motel room in California is $81.80 per night, while the average price of a motel room in Texas is only $48.66 per night.

What is the average cost of a motel room in my state?

The average cost of a motel room in your state can be found in the table above. For example, if you are looking for the average price of a motel room in California, you will see that the average cost is $81.80 per night.

What is the cheapest state for motel rooms?

The cheapest state for motel rooms is Texas, where the average cost of a motel room is only $48.66 per night.

However, this price can vary significantly depending on which city you are staying in. For example, the average cost of a motel room in Houston is $45.00 per night, while the average price of a motel room in Dallas is $49.50 per night.

Houston motel
Brett Hondow / Shutterstock

What is the most expensive state for motel rooms?

The most expensive state for motel rooms is California, where the average cost of a motel room is $81.80 per night.

However, this price can vary significantly depending on which city you are staying in. For example, the average cost of a motel room in Los Angeles is $85.00 per night, while the average price of a motel room in San Francisco is $95.00 per night.

Are motel room prices higher in the summer?

Motel room prices are typically higher in the summer due to increased tourist demand. For example, the average cost of a motel room in Florida is $55.53 per night during the summer months, but this price drops to $49.50 per night during the winter months.

Are motel room prices higher in urban areas?

Motel room prices are typically higher in urban areas due to increased demand from business travelers.

For example, the average cost of a motel room in New York City is $71.58 per night, while the average price of a motel room in Albany is only $61.33 per night.

Conclusion

As you can see, the average cost of a motel room in the United States varies depending on which state you are staying in.

Missouri
TLF Images / Shutterstock

However, the Northeast and West tend to be the most expensive regions. At the same time, the Midwest and South are generally more affordable.

If you are looking for the cheapest motel rooms in the country, Texas is a great option, with an average rate of only $48.66 per night.

On the other hand, if you are willing to spend a bit more for a nicer room, California is a good choice, with an average rate of $81.80 per night.

No matter where you are staying in the United States, compare rates and read reviews before booking a room to ensure you get the best value for your money.

Happy travels!