Indiana motel costs depend mainly on the city and the event calendar, and no official statewide motel average exists. KAYAK’s motel pages for four Indiana cities showed average nightly rates of roughly $67 to $105 when we read them in October 2026, against about $152 for a typical Indiana hotel double room. Indianapolis ran highest of the four, and South Bend rates jump sharply on Notre Dame football weekends.
How Much Do Indiana Motels Cost?
These are rolling search averages from KAYAK, not quotes. They change as new searches come in, and the pages themselves sometimes show conflicting numbers, so use them as a guide only.
| City | Average motel night | Average hotel night | Cheapest month | Priciest month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis | About $105 | About $191 | January, about $60 | May, about $84 |
| Fort Wayne | About $77 | About $156 | December, about $72 | May, about $89 |
| South Bend | About $67 | About $230 | March, about $75 | November, about $251 |
| Elkhart | About $70 | About $141 | March, about $54 | September, about $93 |
For the whole state, KAYAK’s Indiana hotel page listed an average double room of about $152 per night (all hotel types), with December the cheapest month at about $118 and November the priciest at about $181. Sunday was the cheapest day at about $130 and Friday the priciest at about $200.
Why Do Indiana Motel Prices Change?
- Location and events: Indianapolis has convention, sports and airport demand. South Bend prices climb on Notre Dame home football weekends, and race weekends and festivals move rates elsewhere. Check the Visit Indy events calendar and the Visit Indiana events calendar before assuming a normal rate.
- Day of the week: The cheapest weekday differs by city and by dataset, so compare your exact check-in and check-out dates rather than relying on one rule.
- Room type and extras: A basic exterior-corridor room usually costs less than a suite or a room with an indoor pool, breakfast or kitchenette.
How Much Tax Do You Pay on an Indiana Motel?
The Indiana Department of Revenue lists a 7% state sales tax on accommodations. Many counties add an innkeeper’s tax on rooms rented for fewer than 30 days. The DOR county table listed these rates when we checked, and it advises confirming the latest rate with the county.
| County (city) | State sales tax | County innkeeper’s tax | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion (Indianapolis) | 7% | 10% | 17% |
| Allen (Fort Wayne) | 7% | 8% | 15% |
| St. Joseph (South Bend) | 7% | 8% | 15% |
| Elkhart (Elkhart) | 7% | 5% | 12% |
On a $100 Indianapolis room, those two taxes would add $17. Elkhart County’s entry carries a footnote about a 30-room minimum, so a very small motel may not collect the county tax. Other local charges may also apply, so check the final booking screen. For how these taxes work nationally, see our hotel occupancy tax by state guide.
Under the FTC rule on unfair or deceptive fees, mandatory lodging fees that a business knows upfront must be included in the displayed total, while government taxes and optional add-ons can be listed separately. Also check for pet fees, optional parking, and a temporary card hold for incidentals.
How Can You Save on an Indiana Motel?
- Search exact dates. Motel pricing is date-specific, so averages are only starting points.
- Compare at least three properties on the motel’s own site and one or two comparison sites, using the same room and refund terms.
- Move your stay by a day to avoid race, football, graduation or convention weekends.
- Book free cancellation and keep checking while prices move.
- Judge the total value. Free parking and breakfast can offset a slightly higher room rate.
- Read recent reviews on cleanliness, noise, heating or cooling and lighting.
KAYAK’s booking-window figures pointed to roughly two to four weeks ahead for Indianapolis and South Bend, but start earlier for major events. See how a hotel compares with a motel and our Indiana hotel cost guide.
How Much Should You Budget for an Indiana Motel Stay?
The table multiplies KAYAK’s average motel night by the number of nights, before taxes and fees. Event dates will cost more.
| City | 1 night | 2 nights | 3 nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis (about $105) | $105 | $210 | $315 |
| Fort Wayne (about $77) | $77 | $154 | $231 |
| South Bend (about $67) | $67 | $134 | $201 |
| Elkhart (about $70) | $70 | $140 | $210 |
For long stays, ask for a written weekly or monthly quote instead of multiplying a nightly rate. Indiana’s county innkeeper’s tax generally applies to rentals of fewer than 30 days, so confirm how a longer stay will be taxed.
How Do You Choose a Good-Value Motel?
- Read reviews from the last three to six months.
- Check recent guest photos of the room and exterior lighting.
- Confirm the front desk hours if you arrive late.
- Verify parking for trailers or oversized vehicles.
- Get the cancellation policy in writing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana Motel Costs
How much does a motel cost per night in Indiana?
There is no official statewide motel average. KAYAK city pages showed average motel nights of about $105 in Indianapolis, $77 in Fort Wayne, $70 in Elkhart and $67 in South Bend when read in October 2026. Event dates can push rates far higher.
Which Indiana cities have cheaper motels?
Among the four cities checked, South Bend, Elkhart and Fort Wayne had lower average motel rates than Indianapolis. The cheapest city changes with dates and events, and South Bend can become very expensive around Notre Dame home games.
Are motels cheaper than hotels in Indiana?
Usually, based on KAYAK city averages: about $105 for a motel versus $191 for a hotel in Indianapolis, and about $77 versus $156 in Fort Wayne. Compare the same location and dates, because an event-weekend motel can cost more than an off-peak hotel.
What taxes are added to an Indiana motel price?
Indiana charges 7% state sales tax on accommodations. Counties can add an innkeeper tax, listed by the Indiana Department of Revenue at 10% in Marion County, 8% in Allen and St. Joseph counties and 5% in Elkhart County. Confirm the final rate at checkout.
How far ahead should I book an Indiana motel?
Start comparing a few weeks ahead for ordinary trips. KAYAK data pointed to about two to four weeks for Indianapolis and South Bend. Book earlier for race weekends, Notre Dame games, graduations and conventions.
Bottom Line on Indiana Motel Costs
Expect roughly $67 to $105 per night at the average motel in the four cities KAYAK tracks, plus 12% to 17% in combined state and county tax where they apply. Check the event calendar, compare exact dates and confirm the final total before you book.
