is there a source for truckers to find the cheapest motels all over the country?

OP... like i said go ask a waitress.

Clarify: a chinese / indian restaurant. Good chance a immediate family member owns/ franchises a motel.


yeah that sounds like a stereotype, screw it. It's the truth.

 

Ask the bedbugs... they know all the cheapest spots, since that's where they live. You're gonna get bit by what you don't pay for.

 

I dont think the OP was going to be in a truck. But...I've used Priceline many times. I've stayed in Hilton, Marriot, Sheraton, Best Western, etc all over the midwest and southeast...never paid more than $50-$55. I used to use "name your price" and I've had really nice rooms for $35. You are correct that you take a chance on parking. I always call ahead once I win the bid and they will usually find a way to get you in. I have give up a couple rooms... figured I saved enough on the rest of them that a dud now and again was ok.

I use to work out of the Detroit area area a lot. On the weekends, after a good, profitable week, I could hang out in the 4 star motels over by the Romulus airport for $50-$55/night. I wore that out.

 

Just booked a 3-1/2 star room in Midwest City (OKC), Sheraton, $54...$68 w/tax

Anymore, I tend to use the express deals. I could save $5 or $10 by using name your price, but the express deals usually have a high guest rating and the process is quicker and simpler.

 

I agree, Wyndham has a good set of hotels to check. I use this link: http://www.roomkey.com/ It gives all Wyndham group hotels plus others (like Super8 ) . It also has a feature where you can easily move your search area around on a map to seek out the lowest price hotels.

http://www.trivago.com/ is a good site to compare hotel prices among a group of booking websites.

I use agoda.com and have gotten several free hotel rooms using their reward program.
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If you want cheaper, independent hotels, check the prices at Motel 6, then search around for the areas with low price Motel 6. Motel 6 will be a good gauge for the local market. Areas with a low cost Motel 6 are likely to also have low cost independent places around.

 

I can assure you that the rooms I've stayed in were nothing less than what you expect from those name brands. You asked about discounts...and I gave you the source I use to get deeply discounted rates at very nice motels. They also have discounts for all other star levels if you want a cheaper room. When using the name your price option... I always tried to stay at 2-1/2 star or above. Thats the best way to insure against getting into a bad area or a nasty room. The 2-1/2 star was good 90% of the time...once in a while it would be borderline. 3 star rooms have always been excellent for me.

As stated earlier...I no longer use the name your price option. They started the Express Deals a couple of years ago. (Has nothing to do with the rooms and rates that you see when you first search for rooms in a certain city..once you have done the initial search, the Express Deals option will be offered by clicking another tab) I've found that I get better quality with that. I've also found that many times you'll see a 3 or 3-1/2 star offer for less than a 2-1/2 star in that area. It all depends on where they have vacancies/deals. I'm very, very happy with the discounts I get through that website. But....it's your money.. spend it where you want.

You can search for rooms on their website without logging in. Search a major city, then click on Express Deals... you'll see the offers that I take advantage of. In order to purchase, you have to sign in... then give them your payment info (credit card) and make the deal... THEN they tell you what motel you have. It has served me very well for several years now. I have never been disappointed with the higher star level rooms...and I have never paid more than $50-$55 for them. The 2-1/2 star rooms...you are taking a little bit of a risk...but I've never had one that was any worse than a typical Super 8 or Motel 6. I have had some very nice 2-1/2 star rooms. Once they get into the 3 stars...no concerns.

 

That is correct. Before they tell you which motel it is, you'll have to give them cc info. Nothing sneaky..its obvious. Once you have paid for the room, you will get a printable confirmation page which gives you all the relevant info...hotel name and address, confirmation # to be used at the hotel, priceline transaction #, etc, etc. I usually book the room, jot down the name and address for my gps...never hurts to note the conf # also, although I dont think I have ever been asked for it. When you get to the front desk tell them you booked a room through priceline. They will have info also. They will ask for picture ID and most will ask for a credit card for incidentals. I've never had a problem checking in...and I've never had any incidentals charged either.