Staying Near the Airport: La Quinta and Other North Atlanta Options by Hartsfield–Jackson

If you search for “La Quinta Airport North Atlanta”, you’re most likely looking for a La Quinta hotel near the Atlanta airport, especially on the north side of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) or in the north Atlanta metro area with good airport access.

Atlanta’s airport is on the south side of the city (in Atlanta/College Park/Hapeville), but many travelers want to know:

• Are there La Quinta locations close to the airport?
• What’s the difference between north Atlanta hotels and airport hotels?
• How long does it take to get from north Atlanta to ATL?
• What’s the best area to stay in for an early flight or layover?

This guide walks through how La Quinta-style airport stays work in Atlanta, what “North Atlanta” really means for airport access, and how to choose the best area based on your plans.

Understanding “Airport North” in Atlanta

There isn’t a hotel officially named “La Quinta Airport North Atlanta” in Atlanta, but the phrase usually refers to one of two things:

1. A La Quinta near ATL on the airport’s north side or nearby corridor, or
2. A La Quinta in north Atlanta (Perimeter, Buckhead, etc.) that’s convenient to the airport via highway.

To make a good decision, it helps to understand:

• Where ATL is located
• How north-south Atlanta is laid out
• How long typical drives and rideshares take

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport: Key Location Details

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the busiest airports in the world and sits on the south side of the Atlanta metro area.

• General location: South of Downtown Atlanta, along Interstate 85 (I‑85) and Interstate 75 (I‑75).
• Main airport complex: Around the intersection of I‑85 and Camp Creek Parkway, spreading into Atlanta, College Park, and Hapeville.
• Domestic terminal: Accessed primarily from I‑85 (exit area near Camp Creek Pkwy and Riverdale Rd).
• International terminal: Accessed from I‑75 (via Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal entrance).

When locals say “airport hotels,” they’re usually referring to properties clustered around:

• Virginia Avenue (Hapeville/College Park side)
• Camp Creek Parkway (East Point area)
• Old National Highway / Riverdale Road (College Park area)

These areas are south or southwest of downtown, not “north Atlanta.”

North Atlanta vs. Airport Area: What’s the Difference?

North Atlanta typically refers to neighborhoods and suburbs north of Downtown and Midtown, such as:

• Buckhead
• Sandy Springs
• Dunwoody / Perimeter Center
• Brookhaven
• Chamblee, Doraville, and along the I‑285 north corridor

These areas are popular for:

• Business trips (Perimeter office parks, Buckhead business district)
• Shopping and dining (Perimeter Mall, Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza)
• Longer stays where people want to be close to work, family, or events in the north metro area.

However, they are not right next to the airport. Travel time by car or rideshare from north Atlanta to ATL can range from about 25 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic and exact location.

Typical Travel Times Between North Atlanta and ATL

Here is a general overview of approximate drive times in normal conditions:

⏱️ Rush hour warning: Morning and evening rush can add 15–30+ minutes. If you have an early flight, staying closer to the airport is usually more comfortable.

Why Someone Might Look for “La Quinta Airport North Atlanta”

People searching this phrase in Atlanta are often:

• Driving in from the north side (Tennessee, North Georgia, or the I‑75/I‑575 corridor) and want a familiar, mid-range hotel brand near the airport.
• Visiting family or doing business in north Atlanta but flying in and out of Hartsfield–Jackson, and they want a La Quinta convenient to both.
• Looking for a hotel that offers airport access without being deep in south Atlanta.

Since the brand and exact inventory can shift over time, it helps to think less in terms of one specific hotel name and more in terms of:

• Which part of the metro you want to be in
• How close you need to be to the airport
• What kind of ground transportation you’ll be using

Choosing the Right Area for an Airport-Focused Stay

1. If You Need to Be Very Close to ATL

If you have:

• A very early or very late flight
• A same-day connection with a long layover
• Concerns about Atlanta traffic

…then staying in the immediate airport corridor is usually best.

Common “airport hotel zone” areas:

• Virginia Avenue / Hapeville–College Park border
• Camp Creek Parkway (near the Camp Creek Marketplace retail area)
• Corridors along Old National Hwy or Riverdale Road

Many hotels here (including nationally recognized chains) typically offer:

• Airport shuttles to domestic terminals
• Quick rideshare or taxi access
• Walkable or short-drive access to restaurants and convenience stores

If you find a La Quinta or similar mid-range hotel brand in this area, it’s a good fit if your top priority is catching your flight easily rather than touring the city.

2. If You’re Doing Business in North Atlanta but Flying Through ATL

If you’re working or visiting in:

• Perimeter Center / Dunwoody
• Sandy Springs
• Buckhead
• North Druid Hills / Brookhaven
• Or nearby corporate campuses along GA‑400 and I‑285

…it can make sense to:

• Stay in a north Atlanta hotel (possibly a La Quinta, depending on availability) near where you’ll spend most of your time.
• Plan a single longer ride to the airport at the beginning and end of your trip.

This is often more convenient than staying at the airport and commuting north every day.

3. If You Want a Balance: Near Airport but Not Too Far from Downtown

For travelers who:

• Want to be reasonably close to Downtown/Midtown attractions, and
• Still want good access to Hartsfield–Jackson,

…areas like:

• Downtown Atlanta
• Midtown Atlanta
• Westside / Midtown West
• East Point / Camp Creek area

are often a good compromise. From downtown and Midtown, you’re:

• About 15–25 minutes by car to the airport in light traffic.
• Able to ride MARTA (Atlanta’s public transit rail) directly from several downtown and Midtown stations to Airport Station, which is inside the domestic terminal complex.

Getting Between North Atlanta and the Airport

Whether or not you stay at a La Quinta specifically, you’ll want a clear transportation plan.

MARTA (Atlanta’s Public Transit Rail)

MARTA is one of the easiest ways to move between the city core and ATL:

• The Airport Station is located in the Domestic Terminal, near baggage claim.
• The north‑south Red and Gold lines run through:
  • Downtown (Five Points, Peachtree Center)
  • Midtown (North Ave, Midtown, Arts Center)
  • Buckhead area (Lindbergh Center, Buckhead)
  • Sandy Springs / Dunwoody area (Medical Center, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, North Springs on the Red Line).

If your north Atlanta hotel is near a MARTA rail station, you can:

• Ride MARTA directly to Airport Station, avoiding parking and some traffic.
• Use short rideshare or hotel shuttles to and from the nearest station.

Rideshare (Uber, Lyft) and Taxis

Most airport and north Atlanta hotels are well-served by:

• Uber and Lyft
• Traditional taxi services from the airport

At ATL:

• Rideshare pickups are usually organized in designated areas near the terminals.
• Taxis line up outside the baggage claim level of the domestic terminal.

Costs vary based on:

• Time of day
• Distance (north Atlanta hotels are usually farther and more expensive than airport-area hotels)
• Surge pricing during major events or heavy demand

Driving and Parking

If you’re renting a car or driving your own:

• ATL has official airport parking (daily, hourly, economy).
• There are also off-airport lots around Camp Creek Parkway, Sullivan Road, and other nearby corridors.

People staying in the north metro and driving to ATL often:

• Leave extra time for I‑285 and I‑85 traffic, especially during weekday mornings and evenings.
• Park in economy or off-site lots for longer trips to save cost.

Practical Tips for Choosing a La Quinta–Style Hotel Near ATL or in North Atlanta

Here are some quick, practical points to consider when picking a hotel in the “La Quinta Airport North Atlanta” sense:

1. Clarify your primary goal

   • 🛫 Early flight / easy airport access?
     Look for hotels in the airport corridor (Hapeville–College Park–East Point).
   • 📍 Main activities in north Atlanta?
     Choose a north metro hotel and accept a longer airport ride.

2. Check for airport shuttle service

   • Many airport‑area hotels, regardless of brand, offer a free or low-cost airport shuttle.
   • Verify:
     • Hours of operation (some are not 24/7)
     • Pickup locations at ATL
     • Frequency (e.g., every 15, 30, or 60 minutes)

3. Look at proximity to MARTA

   • If you don’t want to rely entirely on rideshare:
     • Staying near a Red or Gold line MARTA station in north Atlanta can make airport transit easier.
     • Common convenient stations: Lindbergh Center, Buckhead, Medical Center, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, North Springs.

4. Plan for traffic

   • Atlanta traffic can be heavy, especially:
     • Weekdays, roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m.
   • If staying in north Atlanta but flying out of ATL:
     • Add at least 30 extra minutes beyond your normal airport arrival time.
     • Many local travelers aim to arrive 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international, adjusting upward in rush hour.

5. Confirm address and “airport” label

   • Some hotels use “airport” in their name but are actually:
     • Several miles away from the terminal, or
     • On the opposite side of the metro from where you’ll be spending time.
   • Double-check:
     • Street address
     • Distance to ATL
     • Typical drive time using a map or navigation app

Helpful Airport & Transit Contacts in Atlanta

For planning your stay and transportation:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy
  Atlanta, GA 30320
  Main information: (800) 897‑1910 (general airport information line)

• MARTA Customer Service (for rail/bus to airport)
  Headquarters: 2424 Piedmont Rd NE
  Atlanta, GA 30324
  Customer service: (404) 848‑5000

These contacts can help you confirm:

• Current MARTA schedules to and from Airport Station
• Parking options and terminal details at ATL
• Accessibility and service updates that might affect your travel

How to Decide Where to Stay, Step by Step

Here’s a simple way to narrow down your options when you’re thinking “La Quinta Airport North Atlanta” but need clarity:

1. List your main destinations

   • Airport only?
   • Airport + downtown sightseeing?
   • Airport + Buckhead / Perimeter business?

2. Rank your priorities

   • Is it more important to:
     • Be right by the terminal, or
     • Be close to where you’ll spend most of your days?

3. Choose the general area

   • Airport corridor if flight timing and convenience come first.
   • North Atlanta (Buckhead, Perimeter, Sandy Springs) if most of your activities are there.
   • Downtown/Midtown if you want a middle ground: reasonably close to both airport and city attractions, with MARTA access.

4. Then pick the specific hotel brand and property

   • Once you know the area, it’s easier to find a La Quinta or similar hotel that fits your budget and amenity needs.

In Atlanta, “La Quinta Airport North” isn’t a single fixed place, but rather a way of thinking about airport access from the north side of the city. By focusing on where you’ll spend most of your time, how you’ll get to Hartsfield–Jackson, and how much you want to minimize traffic stress, you can choose a hotel—La Quinta or otherwise—that fits your trip and makes moving around Atlanta simpler.