Ponder something the kids or someone said, think of a business opportunity or problem, get back in the car, and get on the road. Make sure the stopping place is very safe and public. At the next sleep thought, do this again. If sleep tries to intrude more than once every 30 minutes, it is time to stop for the night. You can save money and miss all the crowds.
Breakfast is free in most of the hotel chains and very healthy.
Shower in the evening just before bedtime and be on the road by 6 a.m. at the latest. In the evening, always check into your hotel by 4 p.m. and your restaurant by 6. Otherwise you will get hung up in crowds. That's what we did when we traveled 11,000 miles around the country last year, and we had a blast. Take it a day at a time.