You don't need to break the bank to enjoy a comfortable, restful stay during your great American road trip
How to Find Places to Sleep for Cheap on a Road Trip
Updated on Jun. 10, 2025
Americans love road trips. And why not? They’re fun! In a recent survey from GSTV—the people who bring you TV while you pump your gas—83% of Americans will travel by car for their 2025 summer vacation. One huge perk of driving to your destination is the cost savings. Not having to purchase airline tickets, park your car in long-term parking or rent a car at your destination are all big budget savers. But unless you’re traveling by RV, you’ll need places to sleep for cheap that are safe, clean and won’t break the budget.
Reader’s Digest spoke with Caroline Burns from HomeToGo vacation rentals, and Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup.com, a booking site for outdoor accommodations, to learn the best tips for finding affordable lodging on your summer road trip. Ahead, you’ll find a roundup of safe, budget-friendly accommodations to help you plan your next getaway.
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The best places to sleep for cheap
Before you head out of town for your summer vacation, you should probably have an idea of where you’re going to lay your head at night. More freewheeling road trips can be fun, too, but even come-and-go campgrounds get booked during the busy summer months. It’s best to plan ahead.
Here are eight comfy, budget-smart lodging options where you can take a well-deserved breather.
Vacation home rentals
Short-term home rentals have exploded in popularity in recent years. These full-use residences give you plenty of elbow room and amenities, and they’re located everywhere. Vacation home rentals are great for a crowd, too, because they usually have plenty of bathrooms and sleeping areas. Another huge perk is the kitchen, where you can make budget-saving meals instead of dining out.
Burns says one way to sleep for cheap in a vacation home rental is to book one away from the main tourist area at your destination. If you’re using a vacation rental website, use filters to sort homes by distance to the main city center. This will open up more reasonably priced options. Travelers can also search by distance to beaches, water and other amenities. Burns says it’s possible to be a stone’s throw away from these perks, and stick to your budget.
Cabin rentals
When you don’t want to rent an entire home, but still want a private space to call your own, cabins are great for getaways. Cabins are often found in more remote areas and at many campgrounds, and they can go fast. Book one ahead of time to make sure one is available when you get to your destination. Some cabins come fully equipped with everything from bed linens and towels to pots and pans in the kitchen. Others are more rustic, so you might have to bring your own supplies.
Short-term room rentals
Similar to entire home rentals but on a smaller scale, rooms to rent can be the ultimate places to sleep for cheap. Find vetted and reviewed rooms in larger homes on websites like Airbnb, and set your parameters to find amenities and perks that are requirements for your trip (a private bathroom, perhaps?).
To cut down on expenses, take advantage of what’s offered with your room rental. Free parking adds convenience and saves money, as does free Wi-Fi, morning coffee and access to a full kitchen. Anytime you can minimize the cost of eating out, you will save big bucks on your vacay.
Motels
Budget-friendly motels have romantic road trip nostalgia vibes (think Route 66 and its neon-accented roadside options), and their classic design—with room doors opening directly outdoors—are convenient and private, too. No walking through the lobby in your bathing suit! The major chains not only have high standards for cleanliness and hospitality, but they also offer great deals to earn your loyalty so you’ll seek them out wherever you go.
Many of today’s motels have big hotel perks, including points and rewards to redeem for free rooms and upgrades. Join loyalty programs for the best value: They’re free, and you get access to discounts and perks that only get better the more you travel. Also, download motel apps to book directly with the property and show you the best rates.
Here are some of the most popular budget motel chains across the United States:
- Econo Lodge: Seniors and AARP members get up to 10% off, and the motel chain is a part of the Choice Hotels rewards program.
- Howard Johnson by Wyndham: YMCA members get up to 20% off, and the chain donates 10% to the Y for every member booking. Members of auto clubs like AAA also get discounts. You can earn and use Wyndham points.
- Motel 6: Military members and AARP members get a 10% discount, and kids and pets stay free.
- Red Roof: This chain’s four brands offer discounts to seniors, AAA members and government and military members. Pets stay free. Join RediRewards and double your rewards point during the summer.
- Super 8 by Wyndham: This budget motel offers discounts for military members, seniors, AARP and auto clubs. You can earn and use Wyndham points.
- Travelodge by Wyndham: Outdoorsy types will love this chain’s discounts for National Park Pass holders (up to 20%) and auto clubs (10% and up). You can earn and use Wyndham points.
Hotels
Don’t rule out traditional hotels when you’re looking places to sleep for cheap. Although these are usually the most expensive lodging options, there are often ways to find discounts and deals. Start by checking if you have any hotel points on your credit card rewards or hotel loyalty programs. If not, join a program now.
Don’t have points to cash in? Try last-minute booking sites like HotelTonight. If you don’t mind a surprise—as in, you don’t know where you’re going until after you book—check out Priceline’s Express Deals.
More hotel savings tips: Call the hotel directly, instead of using third-party booking sites. Check your credit card rewards or long-lost hotel programs you forgot your signed up for. Traveling during the offseason is a sure-fire way to book for less: September, January, February and May are common off-peak months, but check your specific destination. Keep your food budget down by opting for hotels that offer free coffee and breakfasts, and stock your hotel fridge with options for quick, packable lunches.
Bed and breakfasts
Here’s a fun option that offers you the service of a hotel with the homey feeling of an Airbnb—a bed-and-breakfast! Wake up to a hot breakfast before you head out for a full day of local activities. Travelocity has a special bed and breakfast page that will help you sort and compare options, and other B&B booking sites exist, too.
One tip: You can expect a private room no matter where you stay, but be sure to check whether you’ll have a private or shared bathroom. You don’t want to be surprised with such an important amenity. In addition to made-to-order breakfasts, other perks of B&Bs may include free Wi-Fi and parking, as well as complimentary coffee, tea and snacks.
Hostels
Although the United States doesn’t have a robust hostel culture, you can still find inexpensive shared accommodations across the country. And these are really inexpensive, on the order of $20 a night (and up) depending on the location and amenities. Websites and apps such as HostelWorld and Hosteling International can help travelers with planning and booking. And although they have a reputation as bare-bones places to lay your heads, many hostels have upped their offerings. Some offer free breakfasts!
Campgrounds
Of all the places to sleep for cheap, especially if you don’t mind roughing it, campgrounds are hard to beat. To get the best deals and the best sites, Yates recommends traveling off-peak if you can, but also choosing sites that are a little more unusual. Pitchup offers off-the-beaten-track camping sites like farms, fairgrounds and stables in addition to traditional campgrounds. If you’re flexible on location and dates, try the ‘budget/backpacker’ filter that lets you browse the best value camping sites. All of these options offer a unique vacation experience that won’t break the bank.
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Sources:
- Caroline Burns, director at HomeToGo
- Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup.com
- GSTV: “Hitting the Road: 2025 Summer Travel Trends”
- Pitchup: “Campgrounds”
- HI USA: “Find a Hostel Near You”
- Travelocity: “Book the Best Bed and Breakfasts”
- Hotel Tonight: “Incredible Last Minute Hotel Deals”
- Hostel World: “Meet Your People”
