CarolC's tip about the motel-coupon books at state "Welcome Centers" is a good one. Even if you don't use a coupon (if you wind up staying at a place that isn't in the book), you'll learn all about room rates, with and without dicounts, in different locations. There is a BIG difference between the cost of staying in or near a larger city versus a location out in the countryside ~ even among members of the same hotel/motel chain.

As several folks hae mentioned, the most difficult driving is going to be when you first arrive and you have to exit the airport area through highly congested big-city traffic. Take an extra moment or two to collect yourself, do whatever you can to counteract the effects of jet-lag, hold on tight, and keep telling yourself that it's only going to get easier!