When it comes to travel, we spend a lot of money just to get a shower and a good nights sleep. This can eat up our budget fast. Here is a complete list of accommodation ideas (organized by lowest to highest cost).

Budget Travel – Accommodations

Not all these are “family friendly” but some will work in a pinch.

Rest stops, most rest stops in the US are safe to stop and sleep for a while (but use common sense). They are not designed for camping or extended stays but are plentiful (http://restareas.appspot.com/)
Couch surfing: Online websites (http://www.couchsurfing.org/) are set up where people let you sleep on their couches. It’s a cheap, great way to meet people, but may potentially be dangerous.
Friends or acquaintances: No one like a house guest who never leaves, but sometimes all we have to do is ask.
Off the beaten path: If we are in a car or backpacking, sometimes finding a out of the way spot may work well for a quick place to sleep, but just be careful where you stop to sleep.
Caves or natural shelters: I had friends who lived in hollowed out redwood tree, and in a cave on a remote beach in Hawaii without incident.
Missions/Homeless shelter: Maybe not the best place to sleep, but if your luck or weather turns it may be the driest and safest place
Local Churches: Some churches have accommodations, so don’t be afraid to ask.
Abandoned Buildings: Not recommended but just remember if you found them so can others, so be careful.
Camp grounds: Minimum cost, and great if you have a comfortable car or tent great, if not pray for good weather. (http://www.reserveamerica.com/)
Hostels: Hostels typically cost 20-50 dollars depending on location. They are great places to get a hot shower, meals, meet new people, and are fairly safe. (http://www.hostels.com/)
Vacation Rentals: These typically are converted residential homes or apartments, and the owner fixes them up for longer rental terms (usually they have a 3 day minimum). They are hit and miss on quality and services, so check them out before hand. (http://www.vacationrentals.com/)
Bed and Breakfasts: B&B’s are inside people’s homes, and the owner rents out rooms and opens up their kitchen/living room areas for common usage, and true B&B’s serve a decent breakfast. (http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/
Airbnb: This is a web based portal where you can rent pretty much anything from someones spare bedroom in New York, to an entire castle in Germany. (https://www.airbnb.com/)
Motels: Motels are smaller hotels with less service and you can rent rooms for longer or shorter periods. Hotels: These are great inexpensive places to stay and usually have pools, saunas, room service etc. (http://www.motels.com/)
Hotels: Hotels come in all shapes and sizes, and basically refer to anyplace that rents rooms, but provides full service and are staffed 24 hours. (http://www.hotels.com/ )
Resorts: A resort is basically a large area with many accommodations all in one facility. They generally cost more than other hotels, but provide numerous services. (http://www.luxuryresorts.com/ )