Illinois motel prices vary mostly by city, weekday and season, and no verified statewide motel-only average was found in the sources checked. As a benchmark, KAYAK’s Illinois hotel page lists an average double room of about $151 per night across all hotel types. Motel rooms often price below full-service hotels, but not always, so always compare your exact city and dates.
Illinois Motel Prices: What Benchmarks Can You Trust?
KAYAK publishes statewide booking insights for Illinois hotels. These cover every hotel type, motels included, and the numbers shift as new searches come in. The figures below were read in October 2026.
| Benchmark | KAYAK Illinois hotel page |
|---|---|
| Average double room, per night | About $151 (an FAQ on the same page says $152) |
| Cheapest month | January, about $117 |
| Most expensive month | July, about $184 |
| Cheapest day to stay | Sunday, about $140 |
| Most expensive day to stay | Saturday, about $186 |
Source: KAYAK Illinois hotels. These are search averages, not guaranteed prices.
Rough Planning Range for Illinois Motels
Earlier versions of this guide used three motel price tiers. We could not trace them to a published source, so treat them as a rough planning range only, not a verified average.
| Motel tier | Rough planning figure per night |
|---|---|
| Budget motel | Around $87 |
| Mid-range motel | Around $132 |
| Higher-end motel-style stay | Around $181 |
A basic room may be enough if you only need a clean bed and parking. A mid-range room can be worth it for breakfast, better access or a quieter location.
When Are Illinois Motels Cheapest?
KAYAK’s data points to January and Sunday stays as the lowest-priced options, and to July and Friday or Saturday nights as the most expensive. Events can override that pattern, so check the calendar for sports, festivals and conventions.
- Compare Sunday to Thursday nights before you settle on a Friday or Saturday stay.
- Check winter dates if your trip is flexible.
- Watch event weekends in Chicago and college towns, when rooms sell out early.
How Do Illinois Motel Prices Differ by City?
Chicago usually costs more than the rest of the state because demand stays high near downtown, the airports and major attractions. Suburbs such as Naperville, and smaller cities such as Springfield, Peoria and Rockford, often offer simpler motel options, especially if you have a car and avoid event dates.
We did not find a reliable motel-only price list for each of these cities, so we are not quoting one. Compare live rates for the city you plan to visit, and weigh the room price against parking and transit costs.
Which Taxes and Fees Change the Final Price?
The nightly rate is rarely the full cost. Illinois lodging is subject to state and local hotel taxes that differ by city, and the combined rate is higher in Chicago. See our guide to hotel occupancy tax by state for how these taxes work, and confirm the exact rate on your booking page.
- Parking, especially near downtown Chicago and the airports.
- Pet fees if you travel with an animal.
- Cancellation terms: nonrefundable rates look cheaper but carry more risk.
- Included extras such as breakfast, Wi-Fi or a shuttle.
Since May 2025, a Federal Trade Commission rule requires short-term lodging ads to show the total price including mandatory fees, with taxes and optional extras shown separately.
How Can You Save on an Illinois Motel?
- Set price alerts for your exact dates and nearby dates.
- Compare several booking sites against booking direct.
- Choose free-cancellation rates, then recheck prices before the deadline.
- Stay midweek or on Sunday when your plans allow it.
- Read recent reviews on cleanliness and noise before choosing the cheapest option.
If you are weighing options, see how a hotel compares with a motel, or check the Illinois hotel cost guide and the Illinois Airbnb cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Motel Prices
How much does a motel cost per night in Illinois?
No verified statewide motel-only average was found. KAYAK lists an average double room across all Illinois hotels at about $151 per night, and motel rooms often cost less. As a rough planning range only, budget motels are often cited near $87 and mid-range motels near $132.
What is the cheapest month for Illinois motels?
KAYAK shows January as the cheapest month for Illinois hotels, at about $117 per night, against about $184 in July. Local events can change this for individual cities.
Which day of the week is cheapest in Illinois?
KAYAK lists Sunday as the cheapest day to stay in Illinois, at about $140 per night, and Saturday as the most expensive, at about $186.
Are Chicago motels more expensive than other Illinois motels?
Usually yes. Rates tend to be higher near downtown Chicago, the airports and major event areas than in suburbs and smaller cities, and parking can add to the cost.
How can I lower my Illinois motel cost?
Compare several booking sites, set price alerts, check flexible dates and choose Sunday or midweek stays. Compare the total price including taxes, parking and cancellation terms rather than the nightly rate alone.
Bottom Line on Illinois Motel Prices
Plan around KAYAK’s roughly $151 all-hotel average as an upper reference, expect motels to land lower in many cases, and confirm the real figure for your city and dates. January, Sunday and midweek stays tend to be cheapest, while Chicago, July and weekends tend to cost more.
