Delaware motel prices have no official statewide average, but KAYAK’s Delaware hotel data accessed on October 25, 2026 shows hotels averaging about $120 per night in February and about $239 in June, with a general figure of about $198. Three-star rooms start around $64 in Newark, $74 in Dover and $85 in Rehoboth Beach, and Delaware adds an 8% state lodging tax.
Beach demand makes summer weekends the costly part of the year, while Newark, Dover and Wilmington stay cheaper. This guide covers the benchmarks, city price floors, taxes and practical ways to save.
Data snapshot: October 25, 2026. Prices change daily, so recheck your dates before booking.
Quick Answer
Plan on roughly $198 per night as a general Delaware hotel figure, with motels usually lower. February is the cheapest month at about $120 and June the most expensive at about $239. Three-star rooms start around $64 in Newark and $85 in Rehoboth Beach. Delaware adds an 8% state tax.
Key Takeaways
- KAYAK shows a general Delaware hotel figure of about $198 per night; there is no motel-only statewide average.
- February averages about $120 per night and June about $239, nearly double.
- Recent weeknights (Sunday to Thursday) averaged about $161 versus about $230 for Friday and Saturday.
- Three-star rooms start around $64 in Newark, $74 in Dover, $85 in Rehoboth Beach and $86 in Wilmington.
- Delaware law sets an 8% excise tax on hotel, motel and tourist home rentals.
Delaware Motel Prices: What the Data Shows
Booking sites do not publish a statewide motel-only average for Delaware, so this guide uses the hotel market as a ceiling and low listings as a floor. Motels and economy chains tend to price between the two.
| Measure | Benchmark | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| General average price | About $198 per night | Scope not fully clear on KAYAK’s page |
| Recent Sunday–Thursday average | About $161 per night | Last two weeks |
| Recent Friday–Saturday average | About $230 per night | Weekends cost more |
| Lowest month | February, about $120 | Quiet beach season |
| Highest month | June, about $239 | Beach demand |
| Cheapest day | Monday, about $145 | Compare nearby dates |
| Most expensive day | Friday, about $233 | Shift stays to weeknights |
| Recent lowest listings | About $52–$74 for the cheapest rooms, from $60–$80 for 3-star | One-off lows, not averages |
Note: KAYAK’s Delaware page contains some inconsistent figures, including seasonal labels that do not match its monthly data and different prices for the same hotel in different lists. Treat each number as approximate.
Cheapest Months for Delaware Motels
February is the cheapest month in KAYAK’s data at about $120 per night, and June the most expensive at about $239. Beach towns drive most of that swing, so a winter stay in Wilmington or Newark is the cheapest scenario while a summer weekend in Rehoboth Beach is the most expensive.
Shoulder months before and after summer can offer a middle ground, but the data above does not give exact figures for them, so compare your own dates.
Delaware Motel Prices by City
KAYAK lists lowest starting prices rather than city averages, so use these as price floors for three-star rooms, not typical rates.
| City | 3-star from | Share of searches |
|---|---|---|
| Newark | About $64 | About 13% |
| Dover | About $74 | About 11% |
| Rehoboth Beach | About $85 | About 65% |
| Wilmington | About $86 | About 12% |
| Dewey Beach | About $102 (3-star and up) | Not shown |
| Bethany Beach | About $112 (3-star and up) | Not shown |
Rehoboth Beach dominates searches, but Newark, Dover and Wilmington have the lowest starting prices. See Wilmington hotel costs and Rehoboth Beach hotel costs for more detail.
Delaware Lodging Tax and Fees
Delaware law imposes an excise tax of 8% of the rent on every occupancy of a room in a hotel, motel or tourist home, according to the Delaware Code. Some localities may add their own charges, so check the final booking screen.
Under the FTC’s fee rule, effective May 12, 2025, mandatory lodging fees must be included in the displayed total price. Taxes and optional extras such as parking or pet fees may still be shown separately.
When to Book a Delaware Motel
KAYAK suggests booking at least seven days before your stay in Delaware. For beach weekends in summer, book much earlier and choose a refundable rate, then recheck the price before the cancellation deadline.
Ways to Save on Delaware Motels
- Stay Sunday to Thursday. Weeknights averaged about $69 less than weekend nights in KAYAK’s recent data.
- Travel in winter when February averages are lowest.
- Choose Newark, Dover or Wilmington instead of beach towns if the beach is not your goal.
- Check the total including the 8% state tax, parking and pet fees.
- Choose free breakfast to cut food costs.
- Book refundable and recheck the price before the deadline.
More Delaware and Motel Cost Guides
- Average hotel cost per night in Delaware for chain and full-service hotels.
- Average resort cost per night in Delaware for resort stays.
- Average Airbnb cost per night in Delaware for vacation rental comparisons.
- Average motel cost per night in the USA for a nationwide benchmark.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are typical Delaware motel prices?
There is no official motel-only average. KAYAK shows a general Delaware hotel figure of about $198 per night, and motels and economy rooms are usually lower, with three-star starting prices of about $64 in Newark and $85 in Rehoboth Beach.
What is the cheapest month for a Delaware motel?
In KAYAK’s data, February is cheapest at about $120 per night and June is the most expensive at about $239, driven largely by beach demand.
Does Delaware charge a lodging tax on motels?
Yes. The Delaware Code sets an excise tax of 8% of the rent on occupancy of a room in a hotel, motel or tourist home. Some localities may add their own charges, so check the final total.
What is the cheapest day to book a Delaware motel?
KAYAK lists Monday as the cheapest day at about $145 and Friday as the most expensive at about $233. Sunday to Thursday stays averaged about $161 recently, versus about $230 for Friday and Saturday.
How far ahead should I book a Delaware motel?
KAYAK suggests at least seven days ahead. For summer beach weekends, book much earlier and choose a refundable rate once your dates are firm.
Conclusion
Delaware motel prices swing with the beach season. KAYAK’s hotel data accessed on October 25, 2026 shows about $120 in February versus about $239 in June, with three-star rooms starting near $64 in Newark.
Travel in winter or midweek, stay inland if you can, and add the 8% state tax to every quote. That gives a more reliable budget than any single average.
Sources
- KAYAK: Delaware Hotels — general average, monthly and daily data, city starting prices, and recent low prices, accessed October 25, 2026
- Delaware Code, Title 30, Chapter 61: Public Accommodations Tax — 8% excise tax on hotel, motel and tourist home occupancy
- Federal Trade Commission: Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees — upfront total-price rules for short-term lodging
