Jet Inn Motel

While you’re on the road, it’s good to take plenty of stops on your way to the motel to ensure you don’t suffer from road hypnosis, but avoid the convenience stores. Instead of the expensive snacks at the gas station, pack a cooler full of drinks and food. Not only will you have food for the road, but also for when you check in.

Did you know that the word “motel” is actually short for “motor hotel”? After World War II, motels referred initially to a type of hotel consisting of a single building of connected rooms, whose doors faced a parking lot.

One of the great things about motels is that they are truly American. They first appeared in the United States, and the name became immediately iconic. Part of their popularity rests in the fact that they reflect Americans’ wanderlust and their love of travel, adventure, and their automobiles.

In the post-WWII years, nearly all motels were owner operated or mom-and-pop businesses. These didn’t start to be replaced by chain and franchise motels until the 1960s.