If you live more than 50-80 miles from the courthouse, you may be eligible for a free hotel stay. Here are the federal and state rules.
If you've been summoned to a courthouse that is a two-hour drive from your home, the thought of waking up at 4:30 AM every day is daunting. But do you have to pay for your own hotel?
Federal district courts cover massive geographic areas. If you are summoned to Federal Court and you live more than 80 miles from the courthouse (or your commute would take an unreasonable amount of time), the court will pay for a hotel room. They also provide a daily "subsistence allowance" to cover meals.
State courts (county courts) cover much smaller areas, so they rarely offer hotel accommodations unless you live in massive, rural counties (like in Alaska, Texas, or Nevada). If your commute is extreme, you are more likely to be granted an excusal for "undue hardship" rather than given a hotel room.
If you are chosen for a high-profile criminal trial and the judge decides to "sequester" the jury (isolate you to prevent media exposure), the court will pay for 100% of your hotel, meals, and transportation. You will not have to book anything yourself; the court marshals will handle the logistics.
If you meet the distance requirements for a federal court, you must contact the jury administrator before your service begins. Do not book a hotel on your own credit card assuming you will be reimbursed. The court usually has contracted rates with specific nearby hotels.
Federal courts generally provide a hotel and meal allowance if you live more than 80 miles away. For state courts, extreme commutes usually result in being excused entirely.