It could be tough finding a cheap room on the spur of the moment next month, as the Saratoga racing season will be in full swing and places are often booked solid even this far south. I would suggest trying to reserve ahead. Some places to check:

• If you don't mind venturing off the Thruway...

-- you could try the Hilton Garden Inn Albany/SUNY Area, Marriott Courtyard or the Fairfield Inn on Washington Ave. For these, get off the Thruway at Exit 24, follow I-90 East to Exit 2, then turn left at light. All hotels will be on your left. The next morning, you can just continue east on I-90 'til it becomes the Thruway Berkshire Spur and, ultimately, the Mass. Turnpike -- you'll save a little on tolls.

-- there's a Holiday Inn Express on Western Ave. near the SUNY campus. To find it, get off Thruway at Exit 24, just past toll booth follow exit for Western Ave., then turn left at traffic light. HI Express will be about 3/4 mile on your right.

-- there's an HI Express and Fairfield Inn just off I-90 in East Greenbush. For these, get off Thruway at Exit 24, then follow I-90 East to Exit 9. Both hotels are right there. The next morning, you can just continue east on I-90 onto the Thuruway Berkshire Spur and Mass. Turnpike.

• If you must stay by the Thruway:

-- try the Comfort Inn in Glenmont, near Exit 23. After exiting Thruway, turn right onto US 9W. Comfort Inn will be about 3/4 mile on your right.

Right now, gas in the Albany area is running between $4.11/gallon and $4.25/gallon. Gulf/Cumberland Farms, Hess and Stewarts Shoppes (a chain of convenience stores) tend to have the lowest prices. Tip: you'll save some money on gas if you can wait until you get to Massachusetts -- gas taxes are lower there, so the cost/gallon is lower than in NY.

Have a safe trip.

Del gave you some good advice. The HI Express on Western is a good place, but it might not be as cheap as you want.

Here is a local chain that has been around for years, its not the Ritz -

www.coccas.com/

I would try the Days Inn on wolf rd in Albany, rates in the 70's and 80's

Gas is still more expensive in Canada (I'm a Canuck and grew up in Toronto); you are paying over $5 dollars per US Gallon. But at least the beer is cheaper in Canada and its real beer, eh? But I digress. Just be thankful its not euro gas prices.

I suggest you stay in a hotel on the Mass Pike. There are many right on the Pike. Like the Sheraton Tara near Framingham.

If Albany, I suggest staying downtown at 74 State (www.74state.com; part of the Clarion chain) and get a taste of Albany instead of the urban sprawl out on Wolf Road or the hotel chains near SUNY. Take exit 23 off the NYS Thurway and head a mile north on I-787 into downtown Albany. Albany is a small town, much smaller than Miseryssauga or Etobicoke. Albany is very safe, as safe as anywhere in Toronto.