Do not treat every overnight as a destination stay
On a long road trip, easy highway access, safe parking and a predictable breakfast may matter more than being downtown. Save central hotels for places where you actually plan to explore on foot.
Build slack into long drives
Weather, construction, ferries and mountain routes can add time. Flexible cancellation and late check-in policies are valuable when an overnight depends on a full day of driving.
Parking and vehicle fit
Check overnight parking charges, clearance for larger vehicles, EV charging details and whether you need in-and-out privileges.