Reservations?

What do you all think about making hotel reservations in advance rather than finding places to stay while on the road? I'm sort of ambivalent...I want to be sure I can find decent motels, but I also want some flexibility.

Any advice?

PS: I'm sure this topic has been covered ad nauseam on the board, so please bear with me. :)

Off season, I wouldn't even think about making reservations, unless I am traveling to an area where some other special event is occurring that would result in lots of visitors. Summer season in vacation areas, they're almost a must, whether it's hotel/motel or camping.

The trip will be in March, so no reservations necessary, huh?

Thanks!

[Mark Sedenquist]

It is pretty rare to find a locale that doesn't have good and affordable lodging, so the taks of finding "decent" motel lodging is actually pretty easy. Even in peak seasons, I rarely book motels unless I have some special need -- like a place that accepts pets or whatever.

Mark

i always do at least a little research into what my options might be in 3 - 5 towns around an area where i might stop for the night. lately, i haven't been making reservations and i really prefer it. it provides an air of (real or imagined) spontaneity.

[imported_Robert]

Don't feel bad about asking questions. The only way you find out about anything is to ask. The chains (Best Western etc.) sometimes fill up, but there are lots of so called mom and pop motels that are clean, and generally lower priced. They usually don't fill up right away. You can use the Internet to look at the towns you might want to stay at and check for motels and even hotels.

Have a safe and neat trip.

Robert

[Mark Sedenquist]

Although this is a favorite topic of discussion around here -- I pulled together some thoughts and my two cents are available at the first <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/GettingOutThere/Road-Trip-Reservations.htm">Getting Out There</a> columm.

Mark