Minnesota has no verified statewide motel average, but KAYAK’s Minnesota hotel page lists a typical double room near $147 per night. Motels along the Interstates and in smaller towns usually cost less, while Minneapolis on event days, Duluth on summer weekends and the North Shore in fall cost more. Compare your exact city and dates, and remember that sales tax and local lodging taxes are added to the room rate.
How Much Does a Motel Night in Minnesota Cost?
We could not find a published motel-only statewide average. The benchmarks below come from KAYAK’s Minnesota hotel page (all hotel types), read in October 2026. The page also quotes a higher figure in an FAQ, so use these as a guide only.
| Benchmark | KAYAK Minnesota hotel page |
|---|---|
| Average double room, per night | About $147 (an FAQ quotes $196) |
| Cheapest month | December, about $127 |
| Most expensive month | June, about $171 |
| Cheapest day to stay | Sunday, about $139 |
| Most expensive day to stay | Friday, about $173 |
Earlier versions of this guide quoted price tiers from $53 to $310, plus city figures for Minneapolis, Duluth and Rochester and a methodology note about auditing 15 corridors. We could not verify those, so we have removed them.
When Are Minnesota Motels Cheapest?
KAYAK’s data points to December and Sunday as the lowest-priced, and to June and Friday as the highest. The best weekday varies by city, so do not treat one weekday as a statewide rule. Medical-travel markets such as Rochester behave differently from leisure markets such as Duluth.
Major events can override averages. Check dates for Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth in June, the Minnesota State Fair at the end of August and early September, and North Shore fall colors in September and October, when roadside motels along Highway 61 can sell out well ahead.
How Do Minnesota Motel Prices Differ by City?
- Minneapolis and St. Paul: conventions, sports and university events lift prices. Suburban corridors such as Burnsville, Roseville and Maple Grove are usually cheaper than downtown.
- Duluth and the North Shore: leisure travel around Lake Superior makes weekends and summers much pricier than weekdays and winter.
- Rochester: Mayo Clinic demand keeps midweek busy. Ask the front desk about medical or long-stay rates.
- Bloomington and MSP Airport: dense lodging near the airport and Mall of America. Look for free shuttles and parking packages.
For city detail, see the Minneapolis hotel cost guide and the Minnesota hotel cost guide.
What Taxes and Fees Change the Final Price?
The Minnesota Department of Revenue lists a 6.875% state general sales tax, and lodging is taxable. Some cities add their own lodging taxes, and the rate depends on the city, so check the final total at checkout. For stays of 30 days or more under a written lease, sales tax may not apply. See our hotel occupancy tax by state guide for comparison.
- Parking: downtown ramp parking can add to the cost, while highway motels usually have free surface lots.
- Pet fees: policies vary by property.
- Room type: exterior-corridor motels can be cheaper than interior-corridor hotels, but check lighting and locks.
- Mandatory lodging fees known upfront must be in the displayed total under the FTC fee rule in effect since May 2025.
How Can You Cut Minnesota Motel Costs?
- Compare the total checkout price with taxes and fees on at least two booking sites and the motel’s own site. See booking direct versus Expedia and Hotels.com.
- Test suburban and Interstate corridors instead of downtown.
- Ask the front desk about AAA, AARP, military or commercial-driver rates. Discount sizes vary.
- Filter for free parking and breakfast. A slightly higher rate can cost less overall.
- Choose free cancellation, then recheck prices a couple of days before arrival.
- Book event weekends and North Shore stays well ahead.
For a same-day room, search by map along I-35, I-94 or I-90, confirm the front desk hours, and weigh any rideshare cost against the savings. Also see the Minnesota Airbnb cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota Motel Costs
How much does a motel cost per night in Minnesota?
No verified statewide motel average exists. KAYAK lists an average Minnesota hotel double room at about $147 per night, and motels on the Interstates and in smaller towns often cost less. Compare live prices for your city and dates.
What is the cheapest month for Minnesota motel rooms?
KAYAK data for Minnesota hotels shows December as the cheapest month, at about $127 per night, and June as the most expensive, at about $171.
What is the cheapest day to stay in Minnesota?
KAYAK lists Sunday as the cheapest day to stay in Minnesota, at about $139 per night, and Friday as the most expensive, at about $173. These are all-hotel averages and the best day varies by city.
What taxes are added to a Minnesota motel room?
The Minnesota Department of Revenue lists a 6.875% state general sales tax and treats lodging as taxable. Some cities also charge their own lodging tax, so the total depends on the city.
How can I avoid paying more than the advertised room rate?
Check the final checkout screen for taxes, parking, pet fees and breakfast. Under the FTC fee rule, mandatory lodging fees known upfront must be in the displayed total price, while taxes can be shown separately.
Bottom Line on Minnesota Motel Costs
There is no verified statewide motel average. Use KAYAK’s roughly $147 hotel average as an upper reference, favor December and Sunday stays, avoid event weekends, and add the 6.875% state sales tax plus any local lodging tax to your budget.
