Driving Boston to Indianapolis next week. can you suggest

[yy4me]

a hotel chain that has consistently clean rooms and reasonable rates? We used to stay at Hampton Inns but this year, the funds for our visit to family will be on the tight side. Also, the cost of gas is a big factor. It is a thousand miles from the Boston area to Indianapolis. We plan to drive across Massachusetts to a point just before Buffalo then head southwest toward Ohio into Indiana. We've been told this route is fairly truck free and very scenic. I hope there are some Antique shops on the way, I have a list for shops in Ohio just off the highway.

I an looking forward to this new route because the long drive across Pennsylvania is just too much. I need some new scenery. This will probably be the last time we will be able to drive there so I'd like to enjoy the route. Anyone familiar with this drive?

[A HERETIC I AM]

1. Super 8 & Days Inns.

Both chains usually have decent, clean rooms and in my experience are on average $40.00 cheaper per night than a Hampton Inn. I have stayed in literally thousands of different hotels and motels in this country and Super 8 rarely disappoints. You get what you pay for, of course. If you are used to Hampton Inns, Super 8 is a step down but they arent dives, by any means.

If you want to avoid the New York section of I90 (If i were making this trip) i would consider taking I 88 southwest from Schenectady to Bimghampton then follow rte 17 and I 86 across the southern part of New York State. It is a real pretty drive, much more interesting than I90 and it takes you south of the Finger Lakes. You can take I 86 all the way across and it joins I 90 right near Erie, PA

[Little Star]

2. Try this web site.....

http://www.travmatix.com/travmatix/index.cfm

It won't tell you which hotels but it will tell you hotels along the way. I had to plan my trip in shorter increments from a to b, b to c, etc to make it show me the roads I wanted to travel on. If you just do straight a to b it will take you on the most straight forward path mostly major highways so break your trip down. Embassy Suites is my favorite hotel chain but they are not everywhere.

[Longhorn]

3. We've always had good luck with Motel 6. And if you have a wireless laptop

and can stop ahead of time at a place with WiFi or can call someone who can go online, you can save a few more dollars making the reservation online, even if it's just minutes before you get there. Pick up a directory the first night and you'll know where all the others are.

[KharmaTrain]

4. Holiday Inns

When I'm on the road, I've found Holiday Inns have greatly improved their service and cleanliness. Most are near major interchanges with many food options nearby and most have a variety of extra services (laundry, exercize room, pool, restaurants) that also can make traveling a bit less tedious. Rates I've found to be competitive with most other chains...especially if you book online.

I just had a bad experience with a Hampton Inn in Philadelphia...the "high speed" internet didn't work...when I asked about it, they told me to call THEIR IP...sheesh...it was also in a real bad part of downtown.

Good luck and travel safely...

[Wcross]

5. I have the perfect place for you.

Red Roof Inn in Hamburg, N.Y.I-90 at Camp Road, Exit #57

It is just past Buffalo on I-90 going towards Pennsylvania/Ohio. You will miss any Buffalo morning rush hour traffic when you leave.

I have stayed at this hotel and it was in good shape, the price was reasonable. You may want to reserve a room on the side that doesn't face the thruway though depending on how sensitive you are to noise.

http://www.redroof.com/reservations/inn_details.asp?innNumber=0055&NOA=&aYr=&aMo=&aDa=&dYr=&dMo=&dDa=&CP=&TA=&redi=&BTRSID=kik2noiyzj53b2nrbiy3jxjm&BTR=RRProximityResults.aspx?searchtype=

[Ms. Toad]

6. Extended Stay America

Large suites (if you stick with the parent, not related chains), full kitchen (save on eating out fees), always clean. I have never yet found one in an area that felt unsafe to me. Cost is generally 50-80 a night. You do need to bring your own toiletries, and make a reservation ahead if you will arrive after around 9:00 am (they use a lockbox system for late arrivals). The related chains (Crossland, Homestead) tend to be less predictable, in terms of floor plan and size of kitchen - many are converted from other chains. http://www.extendedstayamerica.com/

I used to rely on Motel 6, but landed in a couple of real dives a couple of years ago and started looking for a chain I could count on to be clean, comfortable, and in a safe location when I get sent to a town I am unfamiliar with.