Montana motel prices have no verified statewide average, but KAYAK’s Montana hotel page lists a typical double room near $198 per night. Prices swing sharply by town and season, with summer in gateway towns near Yellowstone and Glacier the most expensive and November the cheapest. Montana also adds a combined 8% lodging tax to the room rate.
What Are Typical Montana Motel Prices?
We could not find a published motel-only statewide average. The benchmarks below come from KAYAK’s Montana hotel page (all hotel types), read in October 2026. The page also quotes other averages, so use these as a guide only.
| Benchmark | KAYAK Montana hotel page |
|---|---|
| Average double room, per night | About $198 (an FAQ quotes $179; a weeknight average of $222 is also listed) |
| Cheapest month | November, about $138 |
| Most expensive month | July, about $261 |
| Cheapest day to stay | Monday, about $200 |
| Most expensive day to stay | Friday, about $259 |
Earlier versions of this guide quoted a $191 motel average, town averages for West Yellowstone, Bozeman, Missoula, Big Sky and Whitefish, and sample motel rates in Livingston and Billings. We could not trace those to a motel-specific source, so we have removed them. Gateway and resort towns such as West Yellowstone, Big Sky and Whitefish are consistently pricier than Billings, Helena or Missoula.
When Are Montana Motels Cheapest?
KAYAK’s data points to November as the cheapest month and July as the peak. Winter can be cheap in many towns, but ski areas such as Big Sky stay expensive, and some seasonal motels close, so confirm opening dates.
- Cheapest: November, and midweek nights.
- Shoulder: late spring and early fall are cheaper than July and August in most towns, but check park road and lodge opening dates.
- Most expensive: July, and Friday or Saturday nights near the parks.
KAYAK’s page names Monday as the cheapest day in the state, but a different weekday can be cheaper in a specific town, so compare your own dates.
How Do Montana Motel Prices Differ by Region?
- West Yellowstone and Gardiner: the gateway to Yellowstone. Expect the highest prices in summer and early booking. See the West Yellowstone hotel cost guide and the guide to hotel costs near Yellowstone.
- Whitefish and Kalispell: the Glacier National Park area. See the Whitefish hotel cost guide.
- Bozeman, Missoula and Billings: university and airport cities with more choice. See the Missoula hotel cost guide.
- Helena, Livingston and highway towns: usually the best value if you drive in to the attractions.
Which Taxes and Fees Apply to Montana Motels?
The Montana Department of Revenue states that Montana charges a combined 8% lodging facility tax, made up of a 4% use tax and a 4% sales tax. Some resort areas may add local resort taxes, so confirm the total on your booking page. See our hotel occupancy tax by state guide for comparison.
- Check pet, parking and cancellation terms before you book.
- Mandatory lodging fees known upfront must be in the displayed total under the FTC fee rule in effect since May 2025.
How Can You Save on a Montana Motel?
- Travel in November or the shoulder months.
- Stay midweek and compare nearby towns, then drive in to the attraction.
- Filter for free cancellation, breakfast, parking and pet policy.
- Book park-gateway towns far ahead for July, and compare the same motel across three dates.
- Compare motels with inns, hostels, cabins and vacation rentals. See hotel versus VRBO cost.
- Read recent reviews on cleanliness, noise and parking.
For other lodging types, see the Montana hotel cost guide and the Montana Airbnb cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Montana Motel Prices
What is the average cost of a motel room in Montana?
No verified statewide motel average exists. KAYAK lists an average Montana hotel double room at about $198 per night, and motels in smaller towns often cost less. Compare live prices for your town and dates.
What is the cheapest month to book a motel in Montana?
KAYAK data for Montana hotels shows November as the cheapest month, at about $138 per night, and July as the most expensive, at about $261.
Why are motels near Yellowstone and Glacier more expensive?
Gateway towns have limited rooms and high summer demand from park visitors, so prices rise well above the state average. Staying in a larger nearby town and driving in can cost less.
What tax is added to a Montana motel room?
The Montana Department of Revenue states that Montana charges a combined 8% lodging facility tax, made up of a 4% use tax and a 4% sales tax. Some resort areas may add local taxes.
Should I book a Montana motel early or last minute?
Book early if you need a specific town, room type or pet-friendly stay, especially in July near the parks. Last-minute deals can work when your plans are flexible but may limit your choices.
Bottom Line on Montana Motel Costs
There is no verified statewide motel average. Use KAYAK’s roughly $198 hotel average as an upper reference, travel in November or midweek, look outside gateway towns for value, and add Montana’s combined 8% lodging tax to the quoted rate.
