May I ask please, are you possibly planning travelling again in the following year? If so, then it may be that the �cheapest� isn�t really the best for you. What standards do you accept? For the states you�ve mentioned, you could go �cheap� and use Econolodge, as JNO suggested, or another group called Motel Six
http://www.motel6.com/ or Super 8 motels. However, I encourage you to keep in mind that occasionally along with �cheap� comes a customer base that is cheap as well. Whilst those econolodges and motel sixes have a �minimum� standard, it doesn�t mean the �guest� next door to you will have the same standards. I�ve stayed in all ranges of hotels in the states and have quite enjoyed some of the �cheaper� ones, but have had to accept that there may be a ring around the pool from the guests who failed to recognise that a bath at least once a month is considered polite etiquette, before jumping into the pool. Or you could be awakened in the wee hours of the morning to a blaring boom box from Huerve Villachez and the 8 amigos (formerly ten amigos, but one is in prison and the other one is�well..missing in action.)
If you are planning travelling in the following year, I would encourage you to consider participating in an orchestrated programme of enrolling in hotel and airline fidelity programmes and taking advantage of them. You can obtain upgrades, suites, free accommodation and even more benefits. continued