Cheap freshen-up alternatives to motels while driving long distances?

[esoterix]

Hi, I'm a newbie here, this is my first post:

I love travelling, and have found that the main reason I pull into motels or inns along the way is to take a shower, since this is the one thing I cannot do in
a) my car
b) any department store or restaurant
c) a public rest area

I am planning a long trip across the country sometime in the future, and would like to discover any ways people are aware of to avoid having to pay the $50-$100 for motels along the way, but still manage to stay fresh and stink-free on a daily basis.

I know of a couple options - Campsites or Hostels - but these take some up-front planning and they don't come too cheap either (between $18 and $30, depending on the place/facilities).

To boil it down to essentials, I'm looking for ideas on commonly-available places/establishments which are easy to find along major highways or in small towns, and offer showers for under 10 bucks.

Please email me at esoterix@gmail.com.

[marjorie]

I think Pilot Travel Plazas.. or a name something like that offers showers for under $4. Not much under, and I'm not sure how many there are. I'm sure truckers could answer this for you!

[mom-from-missouri]

Check out the local community centers in towns--for example, in my town, the community center has an indoor pool and exercise room which you do pay for, but anyone can use the walking track and restrooms for free--and the restrooms all have showers. If you want a locker, though, its a quarter. In the city, they have YMCA's with the same setup.
If you are driving during the summer, you may want to stop and swim every other day for a break and to relax those muscles from driving. Pools always have showers too.

[Bluezy]

I've driven across the States 5 times to date. (Florida to San Diego). Use the large truck stops and simply ask to use the trucker facilities. They have showers for men and for women, areas where you can nap and watch television, and many other features. The cost is lower that way and are a safer alternative.

Another alternative to look into are stays for backpackers. You have access to sinks and showers.

Good luck with your plans!

[zakity]

Yeah, the truck stops are nice (well, some of them!). Not all of them, but most will supply soap and towels. I like to stop at truck stops in the middle of the night to get gas because they are well lit and there are always lots of people around.

We have stopped at camping places to shower on our cross country trips from Portland to St. Louis (and back). Some places have "shower only" rates. It took some internet searching. You had to bring your own soap and towels (shower before you eat and throw the towel over something while you eat so it will dry).

[cicy33]

I too was going to suggest truck stops. my dad is a trucker and he goes to those.

[niki_the_tiger]

When we took our roadtrip down the East Coast, we noticed how some gas stations had the showers etc for truckers and I thought that was really neat! I was wondering if there is a guide or something that shows you where all those truck stops are?

I personally love hotels so going on a trip without going to hotels would be sad for me but if we could even skip one or two nights that could save us anywhere from $100-200 on our trip.

-Niki