Exit 98 South Virginia has a relatively cheap Super 8 Motel. I stop there when driving the car from Ocala to NY because of The Bar/Rest. across the street. Its called Fatz Café and has great craft beer and really good food. Plus it's about halfway on my yearly journey to take my snow bird parents back to Oswego NY.
As far as riding 81, it sucks. Lots of trucks and traffic.