Louisiana has no verified statewide motel average, but KAYAK’s Louisiana hotel page lists a typical double room near $143 per night. Motels outside New Orleans usually cost less, while New Orleans and festival weekends cost more. Compare your exact parish and dates, and remember that Louisiana sales tax and local occupancy taxes are added to the room rate.
What Do Louisiana Motels Cost Per Night?
We could not find a published motel-only average for Louisiana. The benchmarks below come from KAYAK’s Louisiana hotel page (all hotel types), read in October 2026. They are search averages, not quotes.
| Benchmark | KAYAK Louisiana hotel page |
|---|---|
| Average double room, per night | About $143 |
| Cheapest month | August, about $122 |
| Most expensive month | February, about $173 |
| Cheapest day to stay | Sunday, about $126 |
| Most expensive day to stay | Friday, about $171 |
Earlier versions of this guide cited a $94 motel average and a $37 to $434 range, with city averages for New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lake Charles. We could not trace those to a source, so we have removed them. Treat any motel price you see as a live quote that depends on dates, parish and events.
When Are Louisiana Motels Cheapest?
KAYAK’s data shows August as the cheapest month, which fits Louisiana’s hot, slow summer, and February as the priciest, which fits Mardi Gras season. Sunday is the cheapest night and Friday the most expensive. Event calendars matter more than averages, so check Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, LSU home football weekends and casino events before you pick dates. See our guide to hotel prices during Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
- Compare Sunday to Thursday nights before Friday or Saturday.
- Shift your dates by a day or two around big events.
- Book early and refundable for Mardi Gras and football weekends.
How Do Motel Rates Differ by City?
New Orleans is the most expensive market, with high demand in and near the French Quarter and parking charges in the center. Motels in suburbs such as Metairie and Kenner, and in Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Lake Charles, often cost less, particularly along Interstates 10, 12 and 20. We do not have verified motel-only prices per city, so compare live rates. For city context, see the New Orleans hotel cost guide and the Baton Rouge hotel cost guide.
Which Taxes and Fees Apply to Louisiana Motels?
The Louisiana Department of Revenue lists a state sales tax of 5% on hotel and motel rooms from January 2025 (through December 2029). For properties with 10 or more rooms in Orleans or Jefferson Parish the state rate is 3%. The department also notes separate hotel occupancy taxes in certain cases and local taxes set by parishes and cities, so the final rate varies by location. Confirm the total on your booking page, and see our hotel occupancy tax by state guide.
- Roadside motels may ask for a refundable deposit at check-in. Amounts vary.
- Parking in central New Orleans can add to the nightly cost.
- Mandatory lodging fees known upfront must be included in the displayed price under the FTC fee rule in effect since May 2025.
How Can You Save on a Louisiana Motel?
- Stay Sunday to Thursday where you can.
- Look in suburbs and along the Interstates instead of the French Quarter.
- Choose free cancellation and recheck prices before the deadline.
- Compare the motel’s own site with booking sites. See booking direct versus Expedia and Hotels.com.
- Check that Wi-Fi, parking and air conditioning are included, and read recent reviews on cleanliness and lighting.
Also compare the Louisiana hotel cost guide and the Louisiana Airbnb cost guide.
Louisiana Motel Checklist
- Calculate the all-in price with state and local taxes.
- Compare weekday and weekend rates.
- Confirm free essentials and the deposit policy.
- Read guest feedback on safety and lighting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana Motel Costs
How much does a motel cost per night in Louisiana?
No verified statewide motel average exists. KAYAK lists an average Louisiana hotel double room at about $143 per night, and motels outside New Orleans often cost less. Compare live prices for your city and dates.
What is the cheapest month to book a Louisiana motel?
KAYAK data for Louisiana hotels shows August as the cheapest month, at about $122 per night, and February as the most expensive, at about $173, which matches Mardi Gras season.
Are motels in Louisiana cheaper on weekdays?
Generally yes. KAYAK lists Sunday as the cheapest day to stay, at about $126 per night, and Friday as the most expensive, at about $171. These are all-hotel averages.
What taxes and fees are added to a Louisiana motel room?
The Louisiana Department of Revenue lists a 5% state sales tax on hotel and motel rooms from January 2025, with 3% for properties of 10 or more rooms in Orleans or Jefferson Parish. Local taxes and some occupancy taxes are added, so check your booking total.
Bottom Line on Louisiana Motel Prices
There is no verified statewide motel average. Use KAYAK’s roughly $143 hotel average as an upper reference, avoid February and event weekends, travel on a Sunday to Thursday where possible, and add Louisiana’s 5% state sales tax plus any local tax to your budget.
