1st time to Atlanta, mostly airport-related questions

Question

Hello, Atlanta Trip Advisor folks! Thanks in advance for your time. I'm the family Trip Advisor person so have been tasked with some information gathering.

I actually have been to the Atlanta airport a time or two but always for a layover. This trip will be a short one to attend AIT graduation in Columbus at Fort Moore. There will be 7 of us (3 children, parents, grandparents) hauling one car seat, arriving Southwest. No checked bags. We need to rent a car and then will drive to Columbus same day. Any tips on car rental at the airport? Are rental counters onsite or are there shuttles?

Any tips on the best route to Columbus?

Any tips for good Southern cooking or BBQ family restaurant en route to/from Columbus?

We have an early flight on Southwest departing March 8. I looked at the airport map and website and couldn't find what area of the terminal Southwest uses. We plan to stay the previous night at a hotel near the airport, hopefully one which provides a reliable shuttle early in the morning. Usually in this circumstance it works well to drop off the car the night before and take the hotel shuttle to the airport that morning.

In hotel descriptions for hotels near airport, I'm noticing north, south, east and west, so am a little confused about which area we should look. We would like a mid-priced safe, clean hotel, preferably with airport shuttle. Most hotels don't have breakfast that early, so maybe we can grab something when we reach the gate on Concourse C.

Answer

Welcome to Atlanta! Here’s a detailed guide to help with your trip planning for the AIT graduation in Columbus.

Car Rental at Atlanta Airport (ATL): Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has a consolidated rental car facility (RAC), located a short distance from the terminals. All major rental companies operate from this central location, which is accessible via a free shuttle from the terminal.

After you land, follow the signs to the Rental Car Center Shuttle. It runs 24/7 from all terminal areas, including the North and South terminals.
Since you’re traveling with a car seat and seven people, consider renting a larger SUV or minivan for comfort and safety.
Booking your car in advance is recommended, especially for larger vehicles, as airport rentals can run out quickly during peak travel periods.

Best Route to Columbus, GA: The drive from Atlanta to Columbus is about 100–110 miles and typically takes 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on traffic. The most common and straightforward route is:

Take I-285 W (Atlanta’s perimeter loop) from the airport to I-20 W toward Birmingham.
Merge onto I-185 S toward Columbus. This route is direct and avoids most of Atlanta’s inner-city traffic.
Alternate scenic option: From I-20 W, you could take US-27 S for a slightly longer but more relaxed drive through small towns.

Good Southern Cooking or BBQ En Route: There are several family-friendly options along I-185 and in Columbus itself. A few highly recommended spots:

Rodeo Mexican Restaurant & BBQ (Columbus): A casual spot popular with locals for Southern BBQ and Tex-Mex fusion.
Fat Matt’s Rib Shack (Columbus): Known for classic Southern BBQ and hearty portions, great for families.
The Rookery (Newnan, GA): If you want a stop along the way, this Southern-style restaurant offers fried chicken, biscuits, and sides.

Southwest Airlines Terminal Information: Southwest Airlines operates from Concourse A at ATL. Your gate will be on Concourse A, so if you stay at a nearby hotel, plan your early-morning shuttle to allow enough time to go through security and get breakfast if needed.

Hotels Near Atlanta Airport: The airport area has hotels in all directions, but most travelers choose hotels along Riverdale Road or Camp Creek Parkway near the airport's west side for convenience to Concourse A. Recommendations for safe, mid-priced, clean hotels with airport shuttles:

Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway – Reliable shuttle service, clean rooms, mid-range pricing.
Hyatt Place Atlanta Airport South – Offers airport shuttle, spacious rooms, generally good reviews.
Hampton Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport North – Offers complimentary breakfast, free shuttle, and clean rooms.

For early flights, it’s perfectly fine to drop your rental car the night before at the hotel and use their shuttle service in the morning. If breakfast is limited at the hotel, you can easily find options on Concourse C near your gate such as Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, and other quick grab-and-go items.

With your group of seven, plan extra time for shuttles, security, and walking to gates, as ATL is a large and busy airport. Safe travels, and enjoy the graduation celebration!