Red Roof Plus+ & Suites Atlanta Airport South: What To Know Before You Book

If you need a budget‑friendly, convenient place to stay near Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Red Roof Plus+ & Suites Atlanta Airport South is one of the recognizable hotel options on the south side of the airport. This guide walks through what Atlanta travelers and locals should know: location, access, parking, nearby food, safety considerations, and when this property makes sense.

Where Red Roof Plus+ & Suites Atlanta Airport South Is Located

General area:
Red Roof Plus+ & Suites Atlanta Airport South sits in the Atlanta Airport South / College Park–Morrow corridor, just south of Hartsfield‑Jackson. It’s in a cluster of hotels that primarily serve:

  • Overnight flight connections
  • Early‑morning departures
  • Late‑night arrivals
  • Drivers passing through on I‑75 and I‑285

You’re a short drive from:

  • Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) – generally 8–15 minutes by car depending on traffic and terminal
  • Clayton County communities like Morrow, Forest Park, and Lake City
  • Major roadways: I‑75, I‑285, and access to I‑85 via the airport area

This location is more about airport convenience than about being in a walkable neighborhood or tourist district. If you’re visiting downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead, you’ll be driving or taking transit 20–40 minutes each way, depending on traffic.

Who This Airport-South Hotel Works Best For

This kind of property typically fits:

  • Overnight layovers when you don’t want to sleep in the terminal
  • Early‑morning flights where you’d rather be close to ATL than drive from another part of metro Atlanta at 4:00 a.m.
  • Budget‑minded road‑trippers coming down I‑75 who just need a place to sleep before continuing toward Florida or back north
  • Locals with temporary needs, like home repairs, short relocations, or visiting family flying in and out of ATL

It’s usually not the ideal base if:

  • You’re planning a multi‑day sightseeing trip focused on downtown, Midtown, or BeltLine neighborhoods
  • You want heavy nightlife, walkable attractions, or high‑end amenities directly outside your door

Think of this area as functional and convenient, not a destination in itself.

Getting to the Hotel From Hartsfield‑Jackson ATL

By Car or Rideshare

Most travelers will use:

  • Rideshare (Uber, Lyft) from the airport rideshare pickup zones
  • Taxi from the taxi stands outside the terminals
  • A personal car parked at airport decks or off‑site airport parking

Typical drive times to hotels south of the airport:

  • From Domestic Terminal South (Delta): about 10–15 minutes in normal traffic
  • From Domestic Terminal North or International Terminal (Concourse F): about 10–20 minutes, depending on route and time of day

Traffic around ATL can be dense at shift‑change and rush‑hour, so allow extra time.

Airport Shuttles

Many airport‑area hotels offer shuttle service to and from Hartsfield‑Jackson, but service levels change frequently:

  • Some run every 20–30 minutes
  • Some require you to call the front desk on arrival
  • Some may limit hours late at night or early morning

Before booking, it’s smart to call the hotel directly and ask:

  • “Do you currently run a shuttle to ATL?”
  • “From which terminal and pickup area?”
  • “What are the hours and how often does it run?”
  • “Is there a fee for the shuttle?”

Because shuttle policies can change, getting same‑day information is more reliable than assuming based on past reviews.

Driving and Parking: What Atlanta Travelers Should Expect

Access From Major Highways

If you’re driving, you’ll likely come via:

  • I‑75: take the exits serving Forest Park / Morrow / Jonesboro depending on your direction and follow signage toward local roads that lead into the airport‑south hotel cluster.
  • I‑285: connect to I‑75 or local roads toward the airport‑south side, depending on your GPS.

Follow your navigation closely; the tangle of I‑75/I‑285 and surface roads near the airport can be confusing if you’re not local.

Parking Considerations

Most hotels in this area typically offer:

  • On‑site parking, sometimes included, sometimes with a daily fee
  • Open surface lots (not covered)

Always confirm:

  • Is parking free or paid?
  • Is oversized vehicle parking available? (RVs, trailers, moving trucks)
  • Is long‑term parking allowed if you plan to leave your car while you fly out of ATL?

If you’re comparing costs, factor in:

OptionWhat to Consider in Atlanta
Hotel parking (while you stay)Often simpler for one night; check fees, security, and whether you can leave car longer.
Off‑site airport parking lotsMay offer frequent shuttles and competitive rates for multi‑day trips.
Airport economy parking decksOfficial ATL parking; more structure‑based, but can be pricier and fill during peak times.

Room Types and Typical Amenities

While exact offerings can vary over time, hotels in this category near ATL usually provide:

  • Standard rooms with 1 king bed or 2 double/queen beds
  • Suites with extra space and sometimes a sofa bed or small sitting area
  • Basic in‑room features such as:
    • TV
    • Mini‑fridge and microwave in many rooms
    • Desk or small work area
    • Iron/ironing board
    • Hair dryer

Common property amenities in this airport‑south market include:

  • Wi‑Fi (often complimentary)
  • Front desk service typically 24/7
  • Coin laundry or guest laundry machines at some locations
  • Ice and vending machines
  • Coffee in lobby or in‑room coffee makers
  • Business center computer and printer at some properties

If you have specific needs—such as mobility‑accessible rooms, pet‑friendly policies, or non‑smoking preferences—call ahead to confirm what’s currently available and how to guarantee it on your reservation.

Food, Groceries, and Nearby Essentials

The airport‑south corridor is a drive‑to‑everything area. You won’t get the kind of dense restaurant cluster you’d find in Midtown or Inman Park, but you can still meet basic needs.

Food and Restaurants

Common patterns in this area:

  • Fast food chains around interchanges and main roads (burgers, chicken, tacos, pizza)
  • Casual sit‑down options near big roads like Jonesboro Road or Mount Zion Boulevard in Morrow (chain restaurants, diners, grills)
  • Local spots scattered along nearby corridors in Forest Park, College Park, and Morrow

Tips:

  • Use your maps app to search for “restaurants” or “wings” or “soul food” near your hotel.
  • If you arrive late, verify hours, since some dining options close earlier in the suburbs than in central Atlanta.
  • Food delivery apps (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub) are often active around the airport and can deliver directly to your hotel lobby.

Groceries and Essentials

Within a short drive you can usually find:

  • Supermarkets / big box stores along Jonesboro Road or in Morrow near Southlake Mall
  • Pharmacies (chain drugstores) on major roads around Forest Park and Morrow
  • Gas stations and convenience stores near highway ramps and along main corridors

If you’re a local using the hotel during a home repair or move, it’s easy to stock up at these locations and keep items in your room’s mini‑fridge or microwave‑safe containers.

Getting From the Airport-South Hotel Into Atlanta

If you’re staying here for more than a quick overnight, you may want to explore the city.

By Car

From the airport‑south area into central Atlanta:

  • To Downtown Atlanta (Georgia State Capitol, State Farm Arena, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium): about 15–25 minutes without heavy traffic
  • To Midtown (Piedmont Park, Fox Theatre, Atlanta BeltLine Eastside): often 20–35 minutes
  • To Buckhead (Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza): about 25–40 minutes

Plan extra time during:

  • Morning rush (roughly 6:30–9:30 a.m.) toward downtown
  • Evening rush (roughly 3:30–7:00 p.m.) outward from downtown

Parking in central Atlanta can add an additional cost, especially around major venues.

By MARTA (with a connection)

Airport‑south hotels are not usually walking distance to MARTA rail stations. To use MARTA:

  1. Take a shuttle, taxi, or rideshare to ATL’s Domestic Terminal.
  2. From inside the airport, go downstairs to the MARTA Airport Station.
  3. Ride the Red or Gold Line north toward downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead.

This option can be helpful if:

  • You don’t want to drive and park downtown
  • You’re comfortable with a shuttle + train combo instead of door‑to‑door driving

Safety and Practical Tips for the Airport-South Area

Like many busy airport districts in large metro areas, the surroundings are mixed‑use and highly trafficked, with hotels, warehouses, truck traffic, and highway ramps. Visitors often find it useful to:

  • Stay aware of surroundings, especially at night in parking lots
  • Lock cars and avoid leaving valuables visible
  • Use well‑lit main entrances instead of side doors when returning late
  • Confirm hotel front desk staffing hours and how to reach them for security concerns

If you’re local and know Atlanta’s patterns, you’ll recognize this as a typical airport‑adjacent commercial zone—functional, vehicle‑oriented, and heavily shaped by airport traffic.

When an Airport-South Hotel Is a Smart Choice (for Atlanta Travelers)

This style of hotel near Red Roof Plus+ & Suites Atlanta Airport South is often a good fit if:

  • ✈️ You have a very early flight and want to cut down on morning stress
  • 🕒 You’re arriving late at night, especially with kids or heavy bags
  • 🚗 You’re just passing through Atlanta on a long I‑75 drive
  • 🧳 You’re an Atlanta resident managing short‑term housing issues and need something near south‑side family, work, or the airport
  • 💸 You want budget‑conscious lodging and don’t need to be in the middle of Atlanta’s in‑town neighborhoods

If your priority is exploring Atlanta’s neighborhoods, restaurants, parks, and cultural spots, you might instead weigh the trade‑off between:

  • Staying closer to the airport for a lower nightly rate but longer drives into town, or
  • Staying in Downtown/Midtown for easier sightseeing and more walkable surroundings, albeit often at a higher price.

Quick Reference: Key Considerations

TopicWhat to Check Before You Book
Shuttle serviceIs there an airport shuttle? Hours, pickup spot, cost, and frequency.
ParkingIs parking free or paid? Overnight policy? Long‑term parking allowed?
Room needsBed type, non‑smoking, accessibility, pet policy, fridge/microwave.
Travel plansHow early/late is your flight? Will you need food options at odd hours?
Getting into AtlantaWill you drive or use MARTA from the airport for sightseeing or work?
Local errandsProximity to grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas if you’re here a few days.

Focusing on these points will help you decide whether Red Roof Plus+ & Suites Atlanta Airport South–type lodging is the right fit for your trip, whether you’re an Atlanta local looking for a short stay near Hartsfield‑Jackson or a visitor using ATL as your gateway to the city and the rest of Georgia.