Maryland has no verified statewide motel average, and prices depend mostly on whether you stay at the beach, in Baltimore or elsewhere. KAYAK’s Maryland hotel page lists a typical double room near $163 per night across all hotel types, with January the cheapest month and June the priciest. Motels usually cost less than that off-season, but Ocean City climbs sharply in summer.
What Is the Average Motel Cost in Maryland?
We could not find a published motel-only statewide average. The benchmarks below come from KAYAK’s Maryland hotel page (all hotel types), read in October 2026. They are search averages, not quotes.
| Benchmark | KAYAK Maryland hotel page |
|---|---|
| Average double room, per night | About $163 |
| Cheapest month | January, about $134 |
| Most expensive month | June, about $184 |
| Cheapest day to stay | Sunday, about $141 |
| Most expensive day to stay | Saturday, about $183 |
Earlier versions of this guide quoted a $72 motel average, Ocean City, Baltimore and Annapolis city averages, and star-tier price bands with guest ratings. We could not trace those to a source, so we have removed them. Treat any motel price you see as a live quote.
How Do Maryland Motel Prices Differ by Region?
- Ocean City and the Eastern Shore: the most searched beach destination. Rates swing between a quiet off-season and a very busy summer, and moving a few blocks from the boardwalk usually lowers the price.
- Baltimore area: business, sports and event demand. Roadside motels in the suburbs and along Interstate 95 are the cheaper choice.
- Annapolis: higher on Naval Academy event weeks and graduation weekends, usually cheaper midweek.
- Western Maryland: mountain inns and motels near Deep Creek Lake price up in ski and summer seasons.
For city detail, see our Ocean City hotel cost guide and the Baltimore hotel cost guide.
When Are Maryland Motels Cheapest?
KAYAK’s data points to January and Sunday as the lowest-priced, and to June and Saturday as the highest. Winter is the best time for a beach getaway on a budget, and summer weekends at the coast need early booking.
- Compare Sunday to Thursday nights before Friday or Saturday.
- Check winter dates for Ocean City bargains, and confirm the motel is open, since some seasonal properties close.
- Book summer beach weekends early, with free cancellation if possible.
Which Taxes and Fees Apply to Maryland Motels?
Maryland charges a 6% state sales tax on lodging, according to Airbnb’s Maryland tax page, and local governments add their own room or hotel taxes. That page lists 9.5% in Baltimore City and Baltimore County, and 7% in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. Worcester County, which includes Ocean City, raised its room tax from 5% to 6% on January 1, 2026. Rates change, so confirm the total on your booking page. For how states compare, see our hotel occupancy tax by state guide.
- Oceanfront properties may add resort or parking fees. Check the full price before you pay.
- 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 Maryland Motel?
- Travel in January or February, or in the shoulder months around summer.
- Stay Sunday to Thursday where you can.
- Choose free cancellation and recheck prices before the deadline.
- Look slightly inland or along highway corridors instead of the boardwalk or the historic district.
- Compare the motel’s own site with booking sites. See booking direct versus Expedia and Hotels.com.
- Read recent reviews for cleanliness and staff responsiveness, and confirm free parking and Wi-Fi.
Also compare the Maryland hotel cost guide and the Maryland Airbnb cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maryland Motel Costs
What is the average cost of a motel room in Maryland?
No verified statewide motel average exists. KAYAK lists an average Maryland hotel double room at about $163 per night, and motels often cost less outside summer beach weekends. Compare live prices for your region and dates.
What is the cheapest time of year to stay in Maryland?
KAYAK data for Maryland hotels shows January as the cheapest month, at about $134 per night, and June as the most expensive, at about $184.
What is the cheapest day to stay in Maryland?
KAYAK lists Sunday as the cheapest day to stay in Maryland, at about $141 per night, and Saturday as the most expensive, at about $183. These are all-hotel averages.
What taxes are added to a Maryland motel room?
Maryland charges a 6% state sales tax on lodging, plus local room taxes. Airbnb lists 9.5% in Baltimore City and Baltimore County and 7% in Annapolis, and Worcester County, which includes Ocean City, raised its room tax from 5% to 6% on January 1, 2026. Confirm the total at checkout.
Bottom Line on Maryland Motel Costs
There is no verified statewide motel average. Use KAYAK’s roughly $163 hotel average as an upper reference, favor January and Sunday to Thursday stays, book summer beach weekends early, and add the 6% state sales tax plus local room taxes to your budget.
