Nashville in Tennessee combines Southern charm with music culture. Also known as Music City, Nashville is the home of country music and has several amazing landmarks, a unique food culture, and an unbeatable downtown vibe that draws visitors by the thousands. When you visit, stay in one of the best Vrbo vacation rentals suitable for any traveler. Those on a budget can select among affordable Airbnbs in the city. But for those wanting to explore more, Nashville is also a great starting point for taking road trips to remarkable destinations in the United States. Go north to Chicago or northeast to New York, head straight east to Virginia Beach, or make it down south to Miami—no matter what direction you choose, the scenery and the experience will be awesome! Scroll down to know more about the best road trips from Nashville, Tennessee.
1. Covington, GA
Heading down to Georgia? If you’ve never been to Covington, we’re here to tell you that it’s one of the best driving vacations you’ll have. With 283 miles (455 km) in between, your road trip is going to take approximately 4.5 hours. The city is home to beautiful neighborhoods, such as Covington Historic District and North Covington Historic District, with charming streets and downtown squares. If you enjoy exploring the quiet charm of such places, Covington is a great place to be. Some other attractions you can visit here are the Newton County Courthouse and the Covington Mill Village.
2. Greenville, SC
Coming from Nashville, one of the first cities that will welcome you once you enter South Carolina is Greenville. This city is the cultural and entertainment hub in the Upstate. The drive may take around 5.5 hours with a distance of 347 miles (558 km). The best attractions to visit in the city, especially when you’re with kids, are Greenville Zoo and Roper Mountain Science Center. Some other must-see landmarks here are Falls Park on the Reedy and Greenville County Museum of Art, where some works by known artists like Georgia O’Keeffe and Andy Warhol are displayed.
3. Parke County, IN
Now, let’s talk about roads less traveled. When you hear of Indiana, our minds go straight to the big cities: Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and even Bloomington. A place worth a visit that you may not have heard about is Parke County. It is dubbed as the Covered Bridge Capital of the World, being home to 31 covered bridges. If you enjoy exploring sleepy towns, this is a great place to visit. Coke Oven Hollow in the Penn Township of the country is a ghost town that’s now covered by forest. If you enjoy the journey as much as the destination, explore Parke County in the comfort of your car!
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4. Blowing Rock, NC
Approximately 5.5 hours east of Nashville is the picturesque village of Blowing Rock in North Carolina. This town located on Blue Ridge Parkway takes its name from The Blowing Rock, a strange rock formation above the Johns River Gorge. The Blowing Rock itself is a popular tourist spot since it is a great vantage point for viewing the Blue Ridge Mountains. Some other attractions you’ll find around are the Tweetsie Railroad, a Wild West amusement park and heritage railroad, and Moses Cone Memorial Park.
5. Gulf Shores, AL
If you’ve been dreaming of going to the beach, there’s no arguing that one of the best ones near Nashville is Gulf Shores in Alabama. This coastal resort city on the Gulf of Mexico is about a 7.5-hour drive from Nashville, with a distance of 473 miles (761 km). Besides soaking under the sun and swimming on the beach, the other activities you can do in the area are cruises, fishing, and dolphin-watching. Gulf Shores is also a popular area for golf, and it is even home to a few of the highly-rated golf resorts in the country.
6. Chicago, IL
Drive on straight north from Nashville to the shores of Lake Michigan, where the bustling metropolis of Chicago, Illinois, awaits you. Check out Navy Pier, Millennium Park, Willis Tower, Art Institute of Chicago, Lincoln Park, and other famous attractions in the area. Stroll down the Magnificent Mile or admire the wonderful architecture, monuments, and public art of the city. Dine at fine-dining establishments, catch a ball game, enjoy live concerts, or simply spend some time by the waterfront—a road trip to Chicago will definitely be memorable.
7. Philadelphia, PA
For a scenic drive past remarkable landscapes, go northeast from Nashville to Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. Steeped in the history of the American Revolution, Philadelphia is home to several historical landmarks like Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Congress Hall, etc. In addition, Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Penn Museum, and many other notable attractions are scattered across the city. Unique restaurants, parks, bars, gardens, and several family-friendly places should also be visited here.
8. Miami, FL
For a beach vacation from Nashville, take a road trip down south to Miami in Florida and experience the best sights of Southeastern United States along the way. Another world-famous city in America, Miami is well-known for its sunny beaches, vibrant nightlife, beautiful architecture, trendy resorts, and chill-out vibes. Sunbathe at South Beach, go shopping at Bayside Marketplace, stroll down the Art Deco District, or party at Coconut Grove. A visit to Little Havana, Bayfront Park, Zoo Miami, and Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is also recommended here.
9. Charleston, SC
Drive across the balmy hinterlands of at least two states and take a road trip to Charleston in South Carolina from Nashville. Though once infamous for its slave-trading history, Charleston is now home to many well-preserved architectural buildings from the antebellum period, fine-dining restaurants, and a very hospitable population. Charleston Museum, Fort Sumter National Monument, Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens, and Patriots Point are some notable attractions that you must visit in the city.
10. Richmond, VA
Take the scenic route to the East Coast of the United States as you make your way to Richmond, Virginia, from Nashville. The beautiful city of Richmond is steeped in Civil War history, and there are several architectural landmarks and streets like Virginia State Capitol and Monument Avenue to admire here. Museums like American Civil War Museum, Science Museum of Virginia, and Virginia Museum of Fine Arts—along with parks like Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and many hiking and biking trails—should be explored too. Not to be missed are Richmond’s awesome craft breweries, vibrant restaurants, and lively bars.
11. Baltimore, MD
Another classic East Coast destination that is perfect for a road trip from Nashville is Baltimore in Maryland. This city has beautiful architecture and offers many cultural and historic attractions too. Check out National Aquarium, the urban waterfront park of Inner Harbor, and Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. Also, Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a must-visit for all sports fans. Baltimore’s eclectic collection of neighbourhoods, museums, parks, and restaurants should be explored too.
12. New York, NY
Heading up to the northeast of the United States from Nashville will take you on an amazing road trip to the beautiful state of New York. Scenic landscapes await you as you cross multiple state lines along the way. Once in New York, take your pick from a multitude of attractions like the picturesque Finger Lakes region and the majestic Niagara Falls. Plan a boat trip of Thousand Islands and, of course, spend some time in New York City. World-famous attractions like Times Square, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, and Central Park are not to be missed in NYC. Shopping, dining, catching a Broadway show, or simply people-watching are must-do activities here as well.
13. Austin, TX
A fantastic road-trip destination to the west of Nashville is Austin, Texas. The capital of Texas, Austin has a distinct Southern charm combined with modernity that attracts thousands of visitors every year. The city is home to a number of man-made marvels like Texas Capitol building, Rainey Street Historic District, and downtown Austin. On the other hand, natural wonders include McKinney Falls State Park, Mount Bonnell, Lady Bird Lake, etc. As the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin has a pulsating music scene that can be explored via concerts, live bands, and other events at bars, nightclubs, and live music venues across the city. Several notable museums, public parks, and restaurants serving traditional Southern favourites are also definitely worth checking out here.
14. Cedar Rapids, IA
Head northwest through beautiful countryside to the city of Cedar Rapids in Iowa. As the arts and cultural hub of eastern Iowa, Cedar Rapids has several performing arts venues, sports arenas, and museums that everyone can enjoy. Pay a visit to Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Orchestra Iowa, National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, Indian Creek Nature Center, Brucemore, etc. Craft breweries, restaurants, bars, and several outdoor recreation areas add additional charm to the city.
15. Virginia Beach, VA
Driving on a little farther from Richmond is Virginia Beach in Virginia State—an ultimate East Coast gem. This coastal city makes the most of its strategic location along the Atlantic Ocean by offering miles of beaches where you can enjoy surfing, swimming, sunbathing, and a lovely boardwalk. Virginia Beach has welcoming locals, a friendly beach-town vibe, and various other interesting attractions like Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, First Landing State Park, Cape Henry Lighthouse, Norfolk Botanical Garden, and Virginia Beach Town Center.
Nashville roadtrippers!
There are plenty of fun things to do in Nashville. Though the eclectic city of Nashville has many attractions and casual restaurants, you may sometimes feel like going out of town and taking a road trip to other fantastic destinations in the United States. When in the mood to hit the road, just refer to our guide of the top road trips from Nashville, Tennessee, and have a jolly good time.
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