Long ago when we used to do the drive, I77 was our ticket, we drove from northeast Ohio, but we drove straight thru and always spent that first day at the ocean, usually New Smyrna Beach so I could rest and the children got to see and swim in the ocean, then it was a nice short drive the second day and we'd arrive in WDW early to start the fun. We have taken the I75 route to get out of the mountains that are on I77 and sometimes stopped in Kentucky. We found that looking while on a trip was tough, seems we always passed a good motel to drive alittle further only to find flea bag motels or no vacancy signs. You're saying you want a good cheap motel is like saying you want a good cheap car, no such thing. You get what you pay for. I'd get a
AAA states book for the area you're driving thru and check the motels in there, they give locations, cost and amenities and personally, I'd set a limit to how far I was willing to drive and book ahead so I have a guaranteed motel that I picked in the day light. Driving and then looking for a good motel in the dark, late a night on interstate exits can be tough, not how I would start a trip.
We finally got to old and tired of driving, was taking us 20 plus hours straight thru, always wanted to get to WDw as soon as possible and doing an over night stop and the price of gas was getting nuts, plus the wear and tear and worry about the vehicle, we decided to give Amtrak a shot many years ago and haven't looked back. We take the train, round trip for the 2 of us, 450.00, travel is one night, day and night and we're there. No worry about traffic, breakdowns, motels, food and being tired and stressed. something to look at and price out. We used to rent a mini van, so as not to load up our personal car with miles, and it ran us about 300 bucks. take in the gas required, food and lodging and the train was alot easier and cheaper and for us, safer. We board at 3 am, arrive in DC at 1pm, back out of DC on the southbound 7pm and arrive in Kissimmee at 1pm. Long but very comfy, we pack snacks and food and watch the landscape drift by and nod off most of the trip. Easier to move around, bathroom breaks on board, club car for snack and drinks and a dining car for full meals and even sleeper cars for a bit more money and privacy.