s/o work travel - how far for a hotel room?

[spunkarella]

I start my new job soon, and it will involve a fair amount of travel, a fairly new thing for me.

My current job (and first "real" job) has projects out of town, but the furthest project is 1.5 hours away and they have us drive back and forth every day rather than paying for a hotel.

My new job wants me to attend a one-day training that is 2.25 hours away from my new house, and 1.75 hours away from my new office. They offered a hotel but emphasized that it is optional. I was nervous about being the new girl and possibly being the only one to take them up on a hotel, so I declined.

What is the norm? How far do you drive before work covers your hotel?