Car rental Nashville

Nashville, in north Tennessee, sits on the Cumberland River about 40 minutes’ drive from the Kentucky state line. It’s easily accessible by car as it stands at the intersection of three major interstate highways – I-40, I-65 and I-24.

I-40 runs from east/west across Tennessee, connecting Nashville with another of North America’s famous musical cities, Memphis.

In the opposite direction, I-40 connects to Knoxville before heading east on to North Carolina. It also provides a route to Nashville International Airport, just a short drive from the heart of the city.

I-65 runs north/south through Tennessee, providing connections with Louisville and Kentucky to the north and Birmingham, the capital of Alabama, to the south. I-24 runs northeast/southwest, linking Nashville to both Clarkesville and Chattanooga.

The main downtown thoroughfare in Nashville is Broadway, which splits numbered avenues into north and south. Nashville experiences its busiest traffic during the morning and evening rush hour. Plan ahead to avoid these commuter hours or allow plenty of time for your journey.

There are many metered parking spaces all around the centre of the city. If you’re looking for a parking spot, try the 24-hour garage at the junction of First Street South and Broadway, which provides access to many of the big attractions.

Interstates and some freeways have an upper speed limit of 70mph (113km/h), while two land roads top out at 55mph (88km/h). This drops to 30mph (48km/h) in residential streets.

Nashville is the ultimate pilgrimage for country music fans. But there’s plenty more to see in this city, including boutique shops, civil war relics and a homage to Ancient Greece. Organise a rental car to explore it all to the full.

Making music

No visit to Nashville would be complete without celebrating its musical heritage. At the top of your list should be the Country Music Hall of Fame, honouring the biggest names of the genre from Tammy Wynette to Johnny Cash.

The permanent exhibit - Sing Me Back Home - allows you to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of country, from its roots in the 19^th century to the hits of today. If you want to book a guided tour, tickets are available online, while general admission can be purchased from the box office. 

The Musicians Hall of Fame is another attraction not to be missed. Housed on the first floor of the Historic Nashville Municipal Auditorium, it celebrates legendary stars and recording artists from all genres, making it a fascinating experience even if country is not your thing.

Historic sights

Just a short drive from downtown, around 16^th and 17^th Avenues South, you can get into the swing of things on Music Row.

This district is home to historic recording studios including RCA Studio B, where Elvis and many other megastars recorded iconic hits. Visit the studio as part of a package with the Country Music Hall of Fame.

When you rent a car in Nashville, you can drive 15 minutes out of the centre to the stomping ground of the city’s most famous country music show, Grand Ole Opry. Take a tour of the Ryman Auditorium where the show was broadcast from 1943, as well as the Grand Ole Opry House where it moved to in 1974.

A taste of Athens

While Nashville has many musical nicknames, it’s also known as the Athens of the South because of the amount of educational institutions here. These include Vanderbilt University, Belmont University and many more. To celebrate this status, Nashville constructed its own Parthenon in the 19^th century.

This full-scale replica of the iconic Athens structure was built for the Centennial Exposition in Tennessee. While it was intended to be temporary, it proved so popular that it remains standing today.

Admire the 40 feet high statue of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and war, first unveiled to the public in 1990. The fine art museum is housed on the lower level of the building. To enjoy the impressive exterior at its best, visit during the evening when you can see the Nashville Parthenon illuminated against the night sky.

Further afield

Jump in the car and drive 25 minutes to Franklin, a historic city to the south. It played a significant role in the American Civil War. Relive the events at Carnton House, where you can take a guided tour to learn about the bloody battle fought in the city in 1864.

History isn’t the only draw – in Downtown Franklin you’ll find boutiques, antique shops, art galleries and book stores lining the streets, as well as friendly Southern coffee shops.

Not far from Main Street is a collection of former industrial buildings that have been converted into hip venues and vibrant restaurants, collectively called The Factory at Franklin.

With car rental in Nashville, you can experience this musical city to the full. From honky-tonks to history tours, tap into the culture of Tennessee.