Enterprise Car Hire
Georgia

The Enterprise counter at ATL is located in the airport’s consolidated Rental Car Center (RCC), a separate facility for all car hire agencies. After collecting your luggage from the baggage reclaim carousel, follow the overhead signs for Ground Transportation and the Rental Car Center. The most direct way to get there is by taking the free ATL SkyTrain, which has a station just outside the terminal. This automated train runs frequently and takes you on a short ride straight to the RCC building.

With carry-on luggage only, you can skip the baggage reclaim level entirely for a faster trip. Once you get off the aircraft, head towards the main domestic terminal and follow the prominent overhead signs for the ATL SkyTrain and the Rental Car Center. This route lets you go directly from the concourse to the ground transportation area where the SkyTrain station is located. Taking the SkyTrain is the most efficient option, delivering you right to the Enterprise counter without any unnecessary detours.

For international arrivals, the main delays before you can head to the rental car pick-up happen during the federal inspection process. You’ll first need to clear immigration and passport control, then collect any checked bags, and then pass through customs inspection. The time for these steps can vary widely depending on how many flights arrive at the same time. Once you’ve cleared customs, follow signs to the shuttle or SkyTrain connection to the Rental Car Center.

A convenient, easy-to-find meeting point is the Enterprise rental counter inside the Rental Car Center (RCC). Since everyone will need to go there anyway, it keeps the meet-up central and saves time. Alternatively, if you’d rather meet in the main terminal first, the domestic terminal atrium, located between the north and south baggage reclaim areas before security, is a spacious and recognisable landmark for everyone to gather before heading to the ATL SkyTrain together.

Once you complete the hire process at the Enterprise counter, your rental agreement will state where your vehicle is located. The parking garage is directly connected to the Rental Car Center, so access is simple and quick. The garage is well organised with clear, colour-coded or numbered signs for different levels and rows. Just follow the signs to the zone or bay number shown on your paperwork to find your assigned car efficiently.

The safest, most practical place to get organised is in your assigned parking bay at the Rental Car Center before you even start the car. That way you can take your time setting up your sat nav, connecting your phone via Bluetooth, and arranging luggage without pressure from other traffic. Once you exit the garage, airport roads are busy and there are no safe places to stop, so it’s strongly recommended to get everything sorted before you set off.

The most important navigation decision comes almost immediately after leaving airport property, as you must choose the correct ramp for the major interstates. The key is to know your route in advance, because signs for I-75, I-85, and the I-285 perimeter loop appear in quick succession. I-85 North is the main route to Downtown and Midtown, while I-285 acts as a bypass around the city. Having your navigation app running before you leave the parking garage is the best way to ensure you’re in the right lane for your intended motorway.

For a first-time driver, the most straightforward route to Buckhead is to take I-85 North from the airport. This interstate takes you directly towards the city centre. You then take the exit for GA-400 North, clearly signposted for Buckhead and Cumming. This route mainly uses major roads and avoids the most complex downtown interchanges, offering a fairly direct drive to the Buckhead area with well signed exits.

The simplest and most direct route to Midtown from the airport is to take I-85 North. This interstate runs along the eastern edge of Midtown and provides several convenient exits. Using exits such as 10th Street/14th Street or North Avenue puts you right in the heart of Midtown. This approach is generally less complex than navigating the core of the I-75/I-85 Downtown Connector merge, making it a more comfortable drive for visitors.

To avoid the stress of searching for parking, the best approach is to choose a car park in advance and navigate straight to it. The Centennial Olympic Park area is served by several large, official parking decks, including those for the Georgia World Congress Center, the Georgia Aquarium, and CNN Center. Using a navigation app to drive to the specific address of one of these garages is far more efficient than circling busy downtown streets looking for scarce on-street parking.

A common, relatively straightforward route to Decatur is to take I-285 (the perimeter motorway) east from the airport. You would then exit on to US-78 West, which leads towards the Decatur area. This route helps you bypass the most congested parts of downtown Atlanta. Once in Decatur, parking is a mix of paid public lots near the downtown square and on-street parking in residential areas, where you should carefully check signs for any permit restrictions or time limits.

The most reliable route to Marietta is to take I-285 West from the airport to bypass the downtown core. You then merge on to I-75 North, which takes you directly to Marietta. This bypass strategy is often more predictable than taking I-75/I-85 through the city centre, which can have significant and unpredictable delays. Using the perimeter tends to give a steadier, though slightly longer, drive.

On a Friday afternoon, expect heavy outbound traffic starting as early as 2:00 PM. The I-75/I-85 Downtown Connector is severely congested in both directions, and the I-285 perimeter loop is very slow, especially on the northern side near the I-75 and GA-400 interchanges. Any route heading away from the city centre will be affected. It’s wise to allow at least double your normal estimated travel time for any destination in the metro area.

First-time visitors should be prepared for several distinctive features of Atlanta’s motorways. Left-hand exits are common, so it’s essential to watch your navigation and overhead signs well in advance. Many slip roads are shorter than average, meaning you may need to merge or slow down quickly. Also watch for lanes that suddenly become "exit only", which can force an unplanned exit if you’re not in the correct lane early enough.

Peach Pass lanes are optional toll express lanes intended to provide a faster journey during peak traffic. Access requires a registered Peach Pass transponder mounted on the windscreen. As most hire cars are not fitted with these transponders, visitors are generally best off avoiding the express lanes. Driving in them without a pass can result in violations and fines, so it’s safest to stay in the general-purpose, non-tolled lanes.

A practical way to ease into Atlanta driving is to use surface streets first. From the airport, you can take Camp Creek Parkway west, which runs roughly parallel to I-285. This road has many shopping centres and restaurants, making it a good place for a quick stop for supplies. From there, you can join the I-285 perimeter at a less hectic interchange, helping you bypass the downtown core and approach your destination from another direction.

For the tighter spaces of many Atlanta parking decks, a compact or mid-size saloon is usually the easiest choice. These vehicles have a smaller turning circle and are easier to fit into narrow bays. While a standard SUV offers more luggage space, a larger model can be challenging on steep ramps and in confined areas. Consider how comfortable you are manoeuvring in tight quarters when choosing your vehicle.

When travelling with family gear, a minivan or a mid-size to full-size SUV typically offers the most practical cargo space. Look for a vehicle with a low, flat load floor, which makes loading and unloading heavy items like pushchairs and suitcases much easier. A minivan’s sliding doors are especially helpful in tight parking spaces, while an SUV with a wide rear opening can better accommodate bulky items. Check that there’s plenty of space behind the second row for all your luggage.

The best and safest place to fit a child seat is in your assigned parking bay at the Rental Car Center immediately after you receive the keys. This lets you take your time and ensure the seat is properly secured without pressure from other drivers. The parking garage is a controlled environment away from busy airport roads, giving you the space and focus to complete the installation correctly before loading luggage and setting off.

A very common mistake is missing the dedicated exit for Rental Car Return and following the main signs for Departures or Arrivals instead, which forces you into a frustrating loop around the airport. When leaving the rental facility, another frequent error is getting into the wrong lane too early and missing your intended on-ramp for I-85 or I-285. It’s essential to follow the specific overhead signs for your destination closely as soon as you exit the garage.

To access the popular Eastside Trail, many visitors find it convenient to park in the large paid parking decks at Ponce City Market or Krog Street Market. Both locations offer direct, easy access to the trail and have ample capacity. While there are smaller lots and some on-street parking in nearby neighbourhoods like Inman Park, they fill quickly and often have restrictions, making the larger market garages a more reliable choice.

The easiest way to get to Ponce City Market is to enter its address into your navigation app. The main entrance to the multi-storey car park is off North Avenue NE, which runs alongside the building. The garage uses a modern system that photographs your number plate on entry, so you don’t need a ticket. You can pay at a kiosk or via a mobile app before returning to your vehicle, making the process smooth and efficient.

For an evening in these lively neighbourhoods, the most realistic plan is to head straight for a designated paid car park. On-street parking is extremely limited and often reserved for permit holders, and towing is strictly enforced. Arriving earlier in the evening improves your chances of finding a space. Never park in a lot belonging to a specific business unless you are a customer, as that’s a common reason vehicles are towed.

The simplest, lowest-stress option is to pre-purchase parking online through the stadium’s website or an official parking partner. This guarantees a space in a specific lot, such as the Red Deck or Silver Deck, and gives you a direct address for your GPS. Having a reserved space removes the need to hunt for parking on event day and often provides access to routes designed for smoother entry and exit, helping you avoid the worst post-event gridlock.

State Farm Arena is downtown, and the easiest approach is to pre-book parking online so you have a specific garage address for navigation. The CNN Deck, Sapphire Deck, and Centennial Yards lots are all very close to the arena and are straightforward to find when following GPS directions. Arriving with a pre-paid space in a designated lot is far simpler than trying to find parking on the day during a busy event.

For a calmer visit with less traffic, arriving early in the morning is the best strategy. On a weekday, aim to arrive before 10:00 AM. If you’re visiting at the weekend or on a public holiday, arriving right when the park opens is strongly recommended. This helps you secure a convenient parking space near the main attractions before peak crowds and vehicle queues build in the afternoon.

The most direct route to Athens is I-85 North from Atlanta, then exit on to GA-316 East, which takes you most of the way. The drive is typically about 90 minutes without major traffic. Once in Athens, the most convenient parking for visitors is usually the public parking decks downtown, such as the Washington Street Deck or the College Avenue Deck. These offer central access for walking to the University of Georgia campus and local shops.

The easiest drive is I-85 North to I-985 North, then follow US-23 and GA-75 into Helen. To avoid parking issues, especially at the weekend or during a festival, the key is to arrive early, ideally before 10:00 AM. Rather than searching for limited street parking, go straight to one of the large paid lots on the edges of the village. From there it’s an easy, pleasant walk into the centre.

Access to Amicalola Falls State Park is via a winding, two-lane mountain road, so drive cautiously on the final approach. On busy days, especially autumn weekends, car parks can fill quickly. The lot at the top of the falls is particularly popular and often reaches capacity by late morning. To secure a space and avoid queuing at the entrance gate, it’s strongly recommended to arrive early.

First-time drivers in the North Georgia mountains are often surprised by how sharp the bends are and how steep the gradients can be on many back roads. Mobile signal can be unreliable in valleys, so downloading maps for offline use is a sensible precaution. Services such as petrol stations and restaurants also become infrequent once you leave the main roads, so plan fuel and food stops in the larger towns along your route.

The most straightforward route for a Chattanooga day trip is to take I-75 North from Atlanta the entire way. This interstate leads directly to Chattanooga and typically takes about two hours in normal traffic. It avoids complex rural navigation or detours through small towns, making it a simple, efficient drive for visitors unfamiliar with the area.

The main route to Savannah is I-75 South to Macon, then I-16 East. Travellers often underestimate delays around the I-75/I-16 interchange in Macon, which can become congested. The long stretch of I-16 can also feel monotonous. For breaks, many drivers stop in Macon (roughly halfway) or in Dublin, as both have plenty of petrol stations and restaurants right off the exits.

Sudden summer downpours can drastically change driving conditions in Atlanta. On interstates, visibility can drop to near zero almost instantly, leading to rapid braking and sudden congestion. Water can also pool quickly, increasing the risk of aquaplaning. On downtown streets, watch for low-lying areas prone to temporary flooding and always avoid driving through large puddles of standing water.

The most convenient area for a quick stop is along Camp Creek Parkway, just west of the airport. This major road has several large shopping centres with supermarkets, pharmacies, big-box retailers, and a wide range of restaurants. You can reach it easily from the airport without joining a major interstate, making it an ideal place to pick up supplies before continuing to your final destination.

When returning from Midtown, take the I-75/I-85 South Downtown Connector towards the airport. As you approach, pay close attention to overhead signs. To keep things simple, stay in the middle or left lanes to avoid being forced into the early exits for the terminals. There’s a dedicated exit ramp specifically for "Rental Car Return", which you should follow as directed.

The most common mistake is staying in the far-right lanes, which are for terminal passenger drop-off. The Rental Car Center entrance is a separate, clearly signposted exit ramp that’s easy to miss if you’re not watching for it. At night, the number of lights and signs can be confusing, so slow down and look specifically for the "Rental Car Return" signs to avoid having to loop around the entire airport.

The process is designed to be straightforward. First, follow signs for "Departures" and pull up to the kerb for your airline to drop off passengers and bags. Once everyone is safely out of the vehicle, merge back into the main airport roadway. From there, you’ll immediately see signs directing you to loop around to the "Rental Car Return" entrance, which is only a short drive away.

It’s simple and well signposted. After you drop off your vehicle with the Enterprise agent, walk into the main lobby of the Rental Car Center (RCC). From there, follow the clear signs for the ATL SkyTrain. This free automated train is all you need; it runs every few minutes and takes passengers directly to the main domestic terminal, where you proceed to security and your gate.

While the drive to the airport and the car return are usually quick early in the morning, the time-consuming part is often what comes after. The walk from the SkyTrain station to the security checkpoint can be long, and TSA security queues can be surprisingly busy even before dawn. Always allow more time than you think you’ll need for security screening, as it’s the most unpredictable part of your departure timeline.