Not many people think of doing a road trip from Atlanta to Nashville. In fact, the southeastern region of the United States, aka, the South, is often overlooked when it comes to road trip routes. Most people would probably skip this region entirely in favor of the beaches of Florida or charms of
New Orleans. But that would be a mistake. What the Deep South offers is distinct cultures, interesting landscapes, and delicious food that will reward the curious traveler. Atlanta Car Rental You will need a car to see this area, and if you are flying in, you will need a rental car. Our chosen road trip from Atlanta, where you can find multiple
SIXT car rental locations, travels in a loop to Nashville and back. The driving time, depending on the route, is a bit more than 6 hours. A round trip is doable in a four-day weekend, depending on how many stops you would like to make and how many people are sharing driving duties. And of course, you will likely want to spend at least two days in some of the locations like Nashville with
its diverse music scene and delicious food. A SIXT location is conveniently located at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, meaning you can fly in and hit the road in no time. Our Atlanta to Nashville road trip goes through Georgia to Alabama, then up to Tennessee. Parts of the drive involve
hilly or mountainous areas, so an SUV rental might be a better idea than an economy or compact model if you are planning to do outdoor activities. Now all you have to do is pick up your car rental and start driving. Driving Time: 10 hours and 42 minutes The capital of Georgia has been the site of multiple historical moments. Important parts of the Civil War took place here, as portrayed in the iconic “Atlanta burning” scene in the 1939 movie “Gone With the Wind”. It was also a key part of the civil rights movement and the site of
the Olympic Games. Atlanta was mostly burned down during the Civil War and since then reconstructed. It’s the center of the New South cultural movement and has experienced a renaissance of sorts in recent years, producing several stars in the hip-hop and rap world and becoming the setting of TV shows and home to large corporations. You can get a big city vibe here, but also get a taste of genteel southern charm with historical buildings and houses. And since you
are on a road trip, there are many sights to see and you can easily do it all in a day or two in your rental car. A view of Atlanta from Piedmont Park What to do in Atlanta
To get to your next stop, take I-85 S from the airport toward Montgomery, a drive that will take you just over 2 hours. An aerial view of Montgomery, Alabama Stop 2: Montgomery, AlabamaBefore you get to Alabama’s capital city, you will drive through the Tuskegee National Forest, and then the town of Tuskegee, best known for being the home of important figures in African-American history, and a university founded by a former slave. After Tuskegee, you drive on to Montgomery, a quaint riverfront city that is also the birthplace of the civil rights movement. There are many historical sights to see, but the city is also home to revitalized districts with new businesses and hip restaurants and bars. What to Do in Montgomery
Once you’ve seen all there is to see in Montgomery, it’s an easy 1.5-hour drive on I-65 N toward your next destination in Alabama, Birmingham. Buildings in downtown Birmingham, Alabama Stop 3: Birmingham, AlabamaOur next stop is in the “Magic City”, Birmingham, the largest city in Alabama. There are several civil rights landmarks here, as well as several hiking and nature options and museums. Or you can just soak up the vibe of a former industrial city that’s undergoing a revitalization and is still an important business center for the region. A lot of our stops here are on the edge of the city, but you can comfortably see everything with your rent a car. What to Do in Birmingham
Continue on I-65 N for about 2 hours and 40 minutes into Tennessee to our small town break in Franklin. A country scene in Tennessee Stop 4: Franklin, TennesseeHere we take a bit of a break from cities for a smaller Southern town. Franklin is about 20 miles from Nashville but much slower paced. Park your rental car close to the quaint main street area where there are boutiques and restaurants. Then drive around and look at the Victorian houses. Franklin is perhaps most famous for being the site of the Battle of Franklin in 1864 during the Civil War. Mostly, Franklin is worth a little jaunt off of I-65 to slow down and drive around with the windows open or the top down while getting a taste of the real South. What to Do in Franklin
Point your rent a car north once again on I-65 and in 30 minutes you will get to the music mecca, Nashville. Seeing live music in Nashville is a must-do Stop 5: NashvilleKnown since the 1950s as “Music City U.S.A.”, Nashville is still where some musicians go to make their dreams come true. And while the music scene is a big draw in this capital of Tennessee, there is much more to see and do here. There are a surprising number of outdoorsy things to do in the Nashville area due to its location on the Cumberland River and close to mountains. Just visiting all of the music venues and museums in Nashville could take a day or two. We recommend parking in a garage if you are planning to visit multiple spots on Music Row or other dense areas downtown. Otherwise, there is metered street parking for more short-term stops. What to Do in Nashville
From Nashville, we head back toward Atlanta on I-24 E through Tennessee for a 2-hour drive to Chattanooga. A view of Chattanooga from the Appalachian Mountains Stop 6: Chattanooga, TennesseeBesides being a fun word to say, Chattanooga is a city in a beautiful setting at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains. You’ll find a lot of outdoor-focused activities here, which might be welcome towards the end of a road trip. Because of the city’s setting on the Tennessee River, you don’t even need to leave the city limits to spend some peaceful time outside along the water. What to Do in Chattanooga
After Chattanooga, you’re in the home stretch of this Atlanta to Nashville road trip. Sit back and enjoy the scenic views from the comfort of your rental car as you drive south on I-75 back to Atlanta for about 118 miles, which takes roughly 2 hours. Author: Andrea Heisinger What is halfway between Atlanta and Nashville?The halfway point between Atlanta, Georgia and Nashville, Tennessee is: Wildwood, GA. Find a place to meet halfway. These two locations are 250 miles apart and the exact midpoint is I-24, Wildwood, GA 30757, USA.
How long is the ride from Atlanta to Nashville?3 hours, 45 minutes.
Are there mountains between Atlanta and Nashville?An Atlanta to Nashville road trip through the Appalachian Mountains can be as short or as long a trip as you want to make it.
What is there to see between Atlanta and Memphis?The top stops along the way from Memphis to Atlanta (with short detours) are Six Flags Over Georgia, Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center, and Vulcan Park and Museum. Other popular stops include Marietta Square, Elvis Presley Birthplace, and Noccalula Falls Park & Campground.
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