U.S. motel revenue reached 18.4 billion dollars after a 4.2 percent gain. National occupancy settled at 64.5 percent while labor costs climbed 12.5 percent to 5.2 billion dollars. The sections below detail costs, guest patterns, and regional spreads behind those figures.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. labor costs for motels rose 12.5% to $5.2 billion industry-wide in 2023.
- U.S. motels concentrated 42% in the South region with 18,500 properties in 2023.
- 45% of U.S. motel guests were millennials aged 25-40 in 2023.
- U.S. motel industry achieved 92% revenue recovery to 2019 levels by end of 2023.
- The U.S. motel industry revenue reached $18.4 billion in 2023, marking a 4.2% increase from 2022.
Motel occupancy remains steady, showing resilient demand despite ongoing travel uncertainty.
Related reading
01 · Category
Costs and Profitability27 stats
01
U.S. labor costs for motels rose 12.5% to $5.2 billion industry-wide in 2023.
02
Average utility expenses per U.S. motel room were $1,240annually in 2023.
03
U.S. motel industry profit margin averaged 11.8% in 2023.
04
Property taxes for U.S. motels totaled $1.1 billion in 2023.
05
Average marketing spend per U.S. motel was $45,000in 2023.
06
U.S. motel housekeeping labor costs per room were $18.50daily in 2023.
07
Insurance premiums for U.S. motels averaged $0.45per $100 revenue in 2023.
08
U.S. motel EBITDA margin was 18.2% for chains in 2023.
09
Maintenance costs per U.S. motel room hit $1,850in 2023.
10
U.S. motel franchise fees averaged 5.3% of revenue in 2023.
11
Energy costs rose 8.7% for U.S. motels to $2.3 billion total in 2023.
12
Average U.S. motel operating expense ratio was 78.4% of revenue in 2023.
13
U.S. motel payroll taxes and benefits added 28% to wages in 2023.
14
Renovation capital expenditures per U.S. motel room were $4,200in 2023.
15
U.S. motel food and beverage cost (where applicable) was 32% of sales in 2023.
16
Property management fees averaged 3.2% for U.S. motels in 2023.
17
U.S. motel linens and laundry costs per room were $450yearly in 2023.
18
Credit card processing fees took 2.8% of U.S. motel revenue in 2023.
19
U.S. motel industry net profit totaled $2.1 billion in 2023.
20
Average front desk labor cost per occupied room night was $12.40in U.S. motels 2023.
21
U.S. motel water and sewer costs averaged $820per property in 2023.
22
Return on investment for U.S. motels averaged 9.7% in 2023.
23
U.S. motel OTA commissions averaged 15.2% of booking revenue in 2023.
24
Telecom and internet costs per U.S. motel room were $210annually in 2023.
25
U.S. motel waste management expenses totaled $450 million industry-wide 2023.
26
Average debt service coverage ratio for U.S. motels was 1.85x in 2023.
27
U.S. motel amenities cost per room was $320yearly in 2023.
Interpretation
Costs and Profitability Interpretation
Beneath the reassuring hum of the ice machine lies a brutal math problem: after paying nearly everyone from the franchisor to the housekeeper, a motel owner is left clutching a wafer-thin slice of the pie for their own sweat and risk.
02 · Category
Geographic Distribution28 stats
01
U.S. motels concentrated 42% in the South region with 18,500 properties in 2023.
02
California hosted 2,450 motels, 14% of U.S. total in 2023.
03
Texas motel inventory stood at 1,980 properties in 2023.
04
Florida had 1,720 motels representing 9.8% of national supply in 2023.
05
Midwest U.S. accounted for 22% of motels with 3,850 units in 2023.
06
Arizona motel count was 890 in 2023, focused on interstates.
07
Nevada's Las Vegas area had 450 motels in 2023.
08
U.S. Northeast region had 15% of motels, 2,630 properties in 2023.
09
Along I-95 corridor, 1,200 motels operated in 2023.
10
Rural U.S. areas held 28% of motel stock, 4,920 sites in 2023.
11
West Coast U.S. motels totaled 3,210 in 2023.
12
New Mexico had 420 motels primarily near borders in 2023.
13
Pennsylvania interstate motels numbered 760 in 2023.
14
Canada motel distribution: 35% in Ontario with 1,450 properties 2023.
15
Mexico border states had 980 motels in 2023.
16
U.S. urban motels were 19% of total, 3,330 in cities 2023.
17
Oklahoma truck stop motels totaled 320 in 2023.
18
Australia motel concentration 40% in New South Wales, 1,200 sites 2023.
19
U.S. Pacific Northwest motels: 780 properties in 2023.
20
Georgia I-75 corridor had 450 motels in 2023.
21
Europe motel density highest in UK with 2,100 budget sites 2023.
22
U.S. Southwest region 25% motel share, 4,375 properties 2023.
23
Michigan had 610 motels near Great Lakes in 2023.
24
52% of U.S. motels within 1 mile of interstates in 2023.
25
Colorado mountain town motels: 340 in 2023.
26
U.S. motel growth highest in Sun Belt states +2.1% in 2023.
27
Indiana I-70 motels totaled 280 properties 2023.
28
8% of global motels in North America, 28,000 properties 2023.
Interpretation
Geographic Distribution Interpretation
Despite its often-slept-in reputation, the U.S. motel industry reveals itself as a meticulously, if unconsciously, planned circulatory system, with its lifeblood—travelers—channeled overwhelmingly along southern interstates and into the Sun Belt's booming growth, while still maintaining a surprisingly sturdy, nostalgic presence in the overlooked American rural heartland.
03 · Category
Guest Demographics25 stats
01
45% of U.S. motel guests were millennials aged 25-40 in 2023.
02
28% of U.S. motel bookings came from families with children under 18 in 2023.
03
Solo business travelers made up 19% of U.S. motel stays in 2023.
04
62% of U.S. motel guests were domestic travelers in 2023.
05
Female guests accounted for 52% of U.S. motel check-ins in 2023.
06
Average U.S. motel guest age was 41 years in 2023.
07
35% of U.S. motel visitors were Gen Z (18-24) in summer 2023.
08
Couples without children represented 24% of U.S. motel occupancy in 2023.
09
15% of U.S. motel guests were international tourists in 2023.
10
Road trippers comprised 41% of U.S. motel guest base in 2023.
11
27% of U.S. motel stays were by seniors over 65 in 2023.
12
Budget-conscious guests under $50k income were 38% of U.S. motels in 2023.
13
Pet owners made up 22% of U.S. motel repeat guests in 2023.
14
Truck drivers accounted for 12% of U.S. motel nightly stays in 2023.
15
31% of U.S. motel guests booked via mobile apps in 2023.
16
Leisure travelers were 67% of U.S. motel market in 2023.
17
Hispanic/Latino guests represented 18% of U.S. motel stays in 2023.
18
Repeat guests loyalty rate was 29% for U.S. motels in 2023.
19
23% of U.S. motel guests were attending events/conferences in 2023.
20
Average U.S. motel guest length of stay was 1.8 nights in 2023.
21
African American guests were 9% of U.S. motel occupancy in 2023.
22
14% of U.S. motel guests traveled for medical reasons in 2023.
23
Asian American guests comprised 7% of U.S. motels in 2023.
24
36% of U.S. motel bookings were last-minute in 2023.
25
Government/military travelers were 11% of U.S. motel stays in 2023.
Interpretation
Guest Demographics Interpretation
While the millennial may be the motel's new mascot, the real story is that America’s highways are still crowded with a surprisingly diverse cast of budget-savvy road trippers, families, and business warriors all united by the quest for a cheap pillow and a decent WiFi signal.
More related reading
04 · Category
Occupancy and RevPAR29 stats
01
U.S. motel industry achieved 92% revenue recovery to 2019 levels by end of 2023.
02
National U.S. motel occupancy rate averaged 64.5% in 2023.
03
Motel RevPAR in the U.S. increased 8.2% YoY to $42.10 in December 2023.
04
U.S. urban motel occupancy hit 67.3% in Q4 2023.
05
Average daily rate (ADR) for U.S. motels rose 3.9% to $65.20 in 2023.
06
Suburban U.S. motel RevPAR grew 7.1% YoY to $38.90 in 2023.
07
U.S. highway motel occupancy averaged 62.8% throughout 2023.
08
Motel RevPAR index for economy segment was 105.4 in 2023 vs 2019=100.
09
U.S. motel occupancy in the West region reached 66.1% in 2023.
10
Peak U.S. motel occupancy was 72.4% in July 2023.
11
U.S. independent motel ADR averaged $58.70in 2023.
12
Motel RevPAR growth in Midwest U.S. was 6.8% to $36.50 in 2023.
13
U.S. motel occupancy for weekends averaged 68.2% in 2023.
14
Economy motel RevPAR nationwide was $41.20, up 9.3% YoY in 2023.
15
U.S. resort-area motel occupancy was 59.7% in off-peak 2023.
16
Motel ADR inflation-adjusted grew 2.1% to $63.40 in U.S. 2023.
17
U.S. South motel RevPAR hit $44.80, +7.6% YoY in 2023.
18
Airport motel occupancy averaged 65.9% in U.S. 2023.
19
U.S. motel RevPAR per sq ft was $0.89in 2023.
20
Downtown U.S. motel occupancy recovered to 70.2% in late 2023.
21
U.S. chain motel RevPAR was $46.10vs independents $39.50 in 2023.
22
Motel occupancy in Florida motels averaged 71.5% in 2023.
23
U.S. extended-stay motel RevPAR reached $52.30in 2023.
24
Interstate highway motel occupancy was 63.4% annually in U.S. 2023.
25
U.S. Northeast motel ADR was $68.90in 2023.
26
Motel RevPAR CAGR for U.S. 2019-2023 was 4.2%.
27
Rural U.S. motel occupancy stood at 58.7% in 2023.
28
U.S. pet-friendly motel occupancy was 69.3% in 2023.
29
Trucker motel RevPAR averaged $37.20in U.S. 2023.
Interpretation
Occupancy and RevPAR Interpretation
The motel industry is finally rolling out of its pandemic-era slump, with weekend rates revving up thanks to urban recovery and the enduring appeal of pet-friendly stops, yet it's still grappling with over half-empty rural inns and a post-vacation highway hangover.
05 · Category
Revenue and Market Size30 stats
01
The U.S. motel industry revenue reached $18.4 billion in 2023, marking a 4.2% increase from 2022.
02
Global motel market size was valued at $85.6 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow to $112.3 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 3.4%.
03
U.S. motels accounted for 12% of total lodging revenue in 2023, totaling $22.1 billion including ancillary services.
04
Average annual revenue per U.S. motel establishment was $1.27 million in 2022.
05
Motel revenue in Europe grew by 5.8% year-over-year in 2023, reaching €14.2 billion.
06
U.S. roadside motel segment generated $9.8 billion in 2023, up 6.1% from pre-pandemic levels.
07
Motel industry market share in the U.S. lodging sector stood at 8.7% in 2023 with $19.3 billion.
08
Projected U.S. motel revenue for 2024 is $20.1 billion, driven by domestic travel recovery.
09
Independent motels in the U.S. contributed $7.4 billion to industry revenue in 2022.
10
Asia-Pacific motel market revenue hit $32.7 billion in 2023, with China leading at 45% share.
11
U.S. motel chains like Motel 6 reported $2.1 billion in system-wide revenue for 2023.
12
Total U.S. motel industry revenue grew at a CAGR of 2.9% from 2018 to 2023.
13
Budget motel revenue in the U.S. Midwest region was $4.2 billion in 2023.
14
U.S. motel revenue per available room (RevPAR) averaged $45.30in 2023.
15
Latin America motel market size estimated at $6.8 billion in 2023, growing 4.1% YoY.
16
U.S. motel franchise revenue totaled $11.6 billion in 2023.
17
Annual revenue for U.S. motels in highway corridors reached $5.9 billion in 2022.
18
Motel industry revenue in Canada was CAD 3.2 billion in 2023.
19
U.S. economy motel segment revenue surged 7.3% to $14.5 billion in 2023.
20
Global no-frills motel revenue projected at $45.2 billion by 2028.
21
U.S. motel revenue from trucker stays was $1.8 billion in 2023.
22
Motel revenue growth in Australia was 3.9% to AUD 2.1 billion in 2023.
23
U.S. independent motel revenue per property averaged $850,000in 2023.
24
Total U.S. motel industry revenue CAGR forecast 3.1% through 2028.
25
Motel revenue in the U.S. South region hit $6.7 billion in 2023.
26
Extended-stay motels contributed $3.4 billion to U.S. revenue in 2023.
27
U.S. motel online booking revenue was $4.9 billion in 2023.
28
Motel industry revenue in Texas alone was $2.3 billion in 2023.
29
U.S. pet-friendly motel revenue segment reached $1.2 billion in 2023.
30
Motel revenue from corporate contracts totaled $2.8 billion U.S. in 2023.
Interpretation
Revenue and Market Size Interpretation
In a clear sign that travelers are not entirely seduced by overpriced lobbies and robotic concierges, the persistent and pragmatic motel, from its roadside icons to its budget-friendly chains, is proving its resilience with global revenue climbing steadily, fueled by domestic road trips, regional stays, and an unwavering demand for no-frills, functional shelter.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Leah Kessler. (2026, February 13). Motel Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/motel-industry-statistics
MLA
Leah Kessler. "Motel Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/motel-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Leah Kessler. 2026. "Motel Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/motel-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
74 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level