O/T Birmingham Hotel Help please

We are going on a family vacation to Helen Ga first of June.  With that being a 9 hour trip from our home my hubby and I have decided with a 3 year old that is too far and would like to prob stay in Birmingham which is about half way that first night.  We are coming from Hattiesburg MS traveling I-59 which I think turns into I-20 (not too sure about that one lol) any who could someone suggest a decent hotel.  Not really knowing the area it is just hard to tell when you search the internet and most of the comments I am finding are like from 2008.  I would be willing to spend about $80 but would love cheaper.  lol lol  We don't need high end although breakfast would be a plus if included.  lol lol My hubby is also military and IF someone offered discount for that it would be great.  Just tired of searching and hoping someone might have an suggestion off top of their head and I would check it out. 
Thanks in advance!
Denise

Denise if you want to come down I20 to Anniston/Oxford there is plenty of hotels right on the interstate.  There is a Jameson, Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Inn, Sleep Inn,  and about 5 or 6 more that I can not think of right this moment.  They are just off the exit at exit 188.  All these is fairly new.    From Birmingham it is less than another hour to drive.   

tyvm for the info louise i am def gonna check out that area that should be right on our way!
Denise

Make sure when you get to the junction of I-59/20 and I-459 that you take I-459 North....this will allow you to bypass the downtown and airport areas (which are not the best.....).  Every hotel imaginable is at the junction of I-459 and U.S. 280--and tons of shopping and food too. 

As Louise said, if you can wait another hour, you can continue on I-459 N to I-20 E there are plenty of hotels in the Oxford/Anniston area--and lots of good shopping and eating there too-and it is likely cheaper than Birmingham!  

Have a great trip!  Helen is a fun place!