The holiday season—Thanksgiving through New Year's—is peak travel time, and many Atlanta residents leave their cars behind when flying to visit family or taking extended trips. Understanding your storage options helps you avoid last-minute scrambling during an already hectic time.

You're flying out of Hartsfield-Jackson for a week or two, leaving your car somewhere in Atlanta.

Duration: 5-14 days typically

Options:

• Airport parking (expensive but convenient)
• Off-site airport parking with shuttle
• Vehicle storage facility + rideshare to airport
• Friend/family's house

You're traveling for several weeks—perhaps combining Thanksgiving through New Year's into one long trip.

Duration: 2-6 weeks

Options:

• Vehicle storage facility (most practical)
• Airport parking (expensive at this duration)
• Private arrangement

You're heading south (or elsewhere) for the entire winter, returning in spring.

Duration: 3-5 months

Options:

• Vehicle storage facility with appropriate preparation
• Home storage (if you're keeping your home and have secure parking)

Hartsfield-Jackson rates:

• Economy lot: $14/day
• Park-Ride Lot: $10/day
• Daily lots: Higher

For 7 days: $70-98 For 14 days: $140-196 For 30 days: $300-420

Pros:

• Maximum convenience
• Shuttle to terminal
• No coordination needed

Cons:

• Expensive for longer trips
• Open lot exposure
• High-traffic, high-activity environment

Best for: Short trips (under 10 days) where convenience outweighs cost.

Private lots near the airport with shuttle service.

Typical rates: $8-15/day, monthly rates available

Pros:

• Cheaper than airport lots
• Often have covered options
• Shuttle included

Cons:

• Shuttle wait times
• Variable quality
• Still relatively expensive for long trips

Best for: 1-2 week trips where you want convenience without full airport pricing.

Dedicated car, RV, and boat storage facilities.

Typical rates: $50-150/month for outdoor; more for covered/indoor

Pros:

• Most economical for longer trips
• Often better security than airport lots
• Covered/indoor options available
• Month-to-month flexibility

Cons:

• Need transportation to/from airport
• More planning required
• May not be convenient to airport

Best for: Trips over 2 weeks, extended holiday travel, seasonal storage.

Leave your car at someone's house.

Cost: Usually free (maybe you buy them dinner)

Pros:

• Free
• Someone can check on it
• Secure (usually)

Cons:

• Depends on having someone available
• May be inconvenient for them
• You're asking a favor during a busy time

Best for: Anyone lucky enough to have this option.

Airport economy parking: $14 × 10 = $140

Off-site airport parking: ~$10 × 10 = $100

Storage facility ($100/month prorated) + Uber to airport ($50 round trip): ~$85

For 10 days, the options are roughly equivalent. Convenience probably wins.

Airport parking: $14 × 21 = $294

Off-site parking: ~$10 × 21 = $210

Storage ($100/month) + Uber ($50): ~$150

At 3 weeks, storage starts making clear financial sense.

Airport parking: $14 × 42 = $588

Storage ($100/month × 1.5 months) + Uber ($50): ~$200

At 6 weeks, storage is dramatically cheaper.

Popular storage facilities fill up before the holidays. Don't wait until the week before Thanksgiving to arrange storage.

Timeline:

• 2-4 weeks before: Arrange storage, confirm terms
• 1 week before: Prepare vehicle
• Day before departure: Drop off vehicle

Some facilities have reduced hours or closures during holidays.

Confirm:

• Access on Thanksgiving Day (if departing then)
• Access on Christmas Day, New Year's Day
• Any holiday closures affecting your return

The holidays fall during Georgia's winter—occasional freezing temperatures.

If storing 2+ weeks:

• Consider winterization for RVs
• Battery maintainer recommended
• Ensure facility is accessible if ice/snow occurs

For storage during the holidays:

1. Clean exterior and interior
2. Remove valuables
3. Check and adjust tire pressure
4. Battery maintainer (if electrical access) or disconnect
5. Full gas tank with stabilizer (if over 30 days)
6. Document condition with photos

1. Book storage in advance
2. Arrange transportation to airport
3. Know your access code/credentials
4. Have facility contact info saved
5. Set reminder to retrieve vehicle after return

Oxford RV Storage offers month-to-month storage that works for holiday travel situations. Located about 45 minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson, it's not the most convenient for airport access, but the cost savings may justify the extra logistics for longer trips.

For east Metro residents, the location is more convenient. Combine storage plus rideshare, and total costs often beat extended airport parking.