Do you have to stay at the hotel a day before meps or can you just get dropped off the day of?

Depends, really. I've done both. And please change your profile to read your real name.

I've suppressed the visibility of this post until you change your fake name.

If it's anything like what my son experienced recently, you have to be at MEPS at 0500, so most likely, you will be required to stay in the hotel unless you live within a few miles of MEPS. The government is paying for it, so there's really no good reason not to. Follow your recruiter's instructions TO THE LETTER, especially about weapons or anything that resembles a weapon, including pocket knives, etc.