If you want to stay in Atlanta, do Priceline booking for a higher star hotel near the airport. We had a wonderful deal for like $65 once on a Westin and it was amazing! Loved it!!
If you are talking about before or after Atlanta along I-75, I like the Locust Grove area. That might be a little further south of Atlanta than you want to go before stopping for a night though. There actually aren't too many towns I'd recommend along the way in the GA area. If you take the bypass around I-75 when you get to the Macon area, I think the exits along the bypass are pretty nice. Good luck booking!!