We were impressed with how nice the newly renovated Red Roof Inn Alexandria VA was that we stayed in for two days before continueing to Williamsburg. It was a short distance south on US-1 where US-1 intersects I-95 (495) at the southern part of the "Beltway". Also stayed at a "Best Inn" near Fredericksburg once - nice place. During non-summer months their seems to be some good rates for hotels between Richmond & Fredericksburg.
I would Consider Rocky Mt North Carolina . Lots of new hotels With Good prices. Its not to far from the VA border try the website /rocky-mount.north-carolina.hotels-in-the-usa.com/ I go frequently between Fla And NY and I always try to stay in Rocky MT North Carolina On my return trip to NY .
Does I-95 go through Columbia SC? We stayed at a suite hotel off the interstate just north of Columbia that was clean and reasonable. It was an Ameri-Suite.
Go to freetrip.com and enter your starting and finishung points. Scroll down a bit and check the price range for hotels. When the reply comes up, you can determine how far you want to drive and see what hotels are available in that area. You do not have to book the hotel through freetrip.
There are several hotels at the Emporia exit in Virginia, about 10 miles north of the North Carolina border. The Holiday Inn is older but nice and reasonable rates.