Only a couple of decent motels in Du Quoin but Carbondale is about 18 miles south and has tons of rooms. Last year I went down on friday, got a room for two nights in the Super Eight in Du Quoin but sat morning they told me the overbooked. So i went down to Carbondale and got a room.

Plan for me if I go is to just leave Cincy ten AM. they are a hour behind anyway. Get there about three, get room, eat and be in the center with a seat by 4 or so.

If you go to carbondale. The road up to Duquoin is fine, Just watch for deer. I didn't have a problem but it's very rural and its deer season in many many areas.