There are some really good hotels off of I40 at hwy 72. There's a Cracker Barrell, Smithfields and a handful of restaurants. Its one of the tourist exits right off the interstate so theres lots to do around it.
Of course, I can't think of one hotel near it to save my life.
If no one on this board answers, go to
4042.com...It's HERE! The home page for Johnston County, NC. Its another forum kind of like this one for Clayton.
Or, here's the address for Cracker Barrel. Do a hotel search for "hotels near this address" and go from there. For hotel ratings, I would go to
Reviews of vacations, hotels, resorts, vacation and travel packages - TripAdvisor. That location is a good spot to stay at because its an easy jump on the interstate to the nearby cities and you can take 42 right into Clayton.
Cracker Barrel
Garner, NC
I-40 , Exit# 312
I-40 & SR 42
5199 SR 42 West
Garner, NC 27529-8474
Located off I-40
*Bus & RV Parking Available
(919) 661-4044