Van Rentals Near You in Atlanta: Plan an Epic Southern Road Trip

Planning a Trip to the Great Smoky Mountains? Rent a Sprinter Van at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and Embark on an Epic Southern Road Trip.

Atlanta's strategic location makes it an excellent hub for exploring the Southeast's biggest attractions, like the Great Smoky Mountains and Savannah. The city itself impresses with its rich history, world-class attractions, beautiful parks, diverse culinary scene, vibrant arts and culture, and thriving entertainment districts.

Your Options for Sprinter Van Rentals in Atlanta

Kick off your trip by picking up your Sprinter van rental at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). To save you time, we at sprinter-rentals.com have developed a fast and smooth van booking and pickup process. Reservation and check-in are all done online, and we drop off the van at the airport even before you land.

No waiting, no lines, no dealing with attendants, and no annoying upsells. Just quickly e-sign the rental agreement in advance and self-drive immediately after you arrive. It's that easy.

Features of Our Van Rental Options in Atlanta

• 12-Passenger Sprinter Van Rental in Atlanta, GA — These vans have seats for 12 people with headrests. The driver and passengers have bucket seats. You'll also have ample cargo space for the entire squad.
• 15-Passenger Sprinter Van Rental in Atlanta, GA — These vans will comfortably fit a large travel party of 15, including the driver. They still manage to provide generous legroom, ample luggage space, and a flat-screen TV & DVD player.

Our full-size van rentals in Atlanta are perfect for large groups, and you won't feel claustrophobic.

Begin Your Trip by Exploring the Capital of the South

Known as "The City in a Forest," Atlanta is Georgia's capital and the cultural and economic center of the Southeast. Slide behind the wheel of your Mercedes-Benz Sprinter rental van and drive to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in downtown Atlanta (20-minute drive from the airport).

This powerful museum connects the American Civil Rights Movement to the global human rights movements of today. Downtown is also home to other must-see attractions like the World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium, and Centennial Olympic Park. You can sample Southern cuisine, enjoy craft brews at local breweries, and admire the city's impressive street art scene.

Make sure you check out the Georgia State Capitol in downtown. Beyond its gold-domed building, it houses a museum that showcases the state's history. Looking for more attractions? Drive your van rental to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, High Museum of Art, or the Atlanta History Center.

Drive Your Van Rental from Atlanta to the Great Smoky Mountains

Head north to Helen (roughly a 1.5-hour drive from Atlanta), a Bavarian-style alpine village known for its European architecture, German fare, and cozy boutiques.

The Troll Tavern is a great spot to have dinner. Situated beneath the Helen bridge, it offers authentic German dishes and local favorites with a view of the Chattahoochee River. They also have live music on weekends.

Spend the night in Helen and use it as your base camp to explore the nearby mountains and waterfalls.

Pass Through the Scenic Blue Ridge Parkway

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with its ancient mountains, diverse wildlife, cascading waterfalls, and misty valleys, offers some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in the eastern United States. With your Atlanta rental van, drive to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center entrance, which is around 2 hours from Helen via US-441.

This entrance also connects to the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway, America's favorite scenic drive. The Parkway winds through the Appalachian Highlands, offering spectacular vistas at nearly every turn. The route passes through vibrant wildflower meadows, dense forests, and numerous overlooks that showcase the rolling blue-hazed mountains that give the region its name.

Other noteworthy points of interest along the way are Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains, and Cherokee, North Carolina, home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. There are dozens of short to long hikes starting from the Parkway. Notably, it's around 469 miles long in total, though you'll only explore a portion. Allow 3 or more hours to stop at the scenic points along the way or to do hikes.

Spend the night in the charming town of Asheville, North Carolina, about 1 hour from the Oconaluftee entrance. Cúrate is an excellent restaurant to have dinner, offering authentic Spanish tapas in a lively atmosphere.

Asheville to Savannah

Located at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is known for its vibrant arts scene and historic architecture. The drive to Savannah is about 4 hours (270 mi) via I-26 and I-95. Kickstart your road trip by visiting the magnificent Biltmore Estate, America's largest home, built by George Vanderbilt in the late 1800s.

Get back into your van rental and take I-26 East toward Spartanburg, South Carolina. Consider a stop in Greenville, SC, to stretch your legs along the scenic Falls Park on the Reedy, featuring beautiful gardens and a stunning waterfall right in the heart of downtown.

Next, park at Palmetto Bluff for lunch at one of their excellent restaurants like Buffalo's or Fore & Aft. Another notable stop along your drive from Asheville to Savannah is Hilton Head Island. This coastal resort town offers beautiful beaches and numerous golf courses if you have time for a longer break.

Enter Savannah and stay in the Historic District. Known for its antebellum architecture, beautiful squares, and moss-draped oak trees, Savannah offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and Southern hospitality.

Savannah's Historic District Tour

Savannah is one of America's most beautiful and walkable cities, with its grid layout punctuated by 22 charming squares. It offers something special for every kind of traveler with its rich history, magnificent architecture, delicious cuisine, vibrant arts scene, and proximity to beautiful beaches.

The best way to experience Savannah is to park your van and explore the Historic District on foot. Stroll through Forsyth Park with its iconic fountain, visit the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist with its stunning stained glass, and wander along Factor's Walk and River Street to shop and dine with views of the Savannah River.

For dinner, don't miss The Olde Pink House, housed in an 18th-century mansion and serving refined Southern cuisine. If you're brave enough, take a ghost tour — Savannah is considered one of America's most haunted cities!

Other must-see spots include the Mercer-Williams House Museum (featured in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil), Bonaventure Cemetery with its haunting beauty, and the Tybee Island Beach, just 20 minutes from downtown Savannah.

Back to Atlanta via the Historic Route

Check out of your accommodation and begin your journey back to Atlanta via I-16 and I-75. This stretch takes around 3½ hours (250 mi) without breaks. Make a stop in Macon, known as the "Heart of Georgia," to see the Hay House, a stunning Italian Renaissance Revival mansion, or visit the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park to learn about the Native American history of the region.

Other nice stops are the Georgia Rural Telephone Museum in Leslie, the quaint town of Juliette (where parts of the movie Fried Green Tomatoes was filmed), and the beautiful Indian Springs State Park, one of the oldest state parks in the nation. Finish up your 5-day trip by dropping off your Sprinter van rental in Atlanta.

This itinerary is super flexible, and you can adjust it based on your interests and the number of days available. If you have limited time, head back to Atlanta after touring the Great Smoky Mountains, or explore Savannah and skip the mountains.