A road trip from Chicago to Nashville, TN, takes you between the largest cities in Illinois and Tennessee.
A 470-mile road trip from Chicago to Nashville, TN, takes you from Illinois, through Indiana and Kentucky, to “The Volunteer State,” Tennessee. Along the way, you will pass iconic lakes and caves and historic towns and cities, as you make your way to the “country music capital of the world”.
Read on to find out all you need to know to make your road trip from Chicago to Nashville, TN, as perfect as possible.
A Road Trip From Chicago To Nashville, TN: How Far Is It, What Is The Best Route, & How Long Will It Take To Get There?
A road trip from Chicago to Nashville, TN, covers 470 miles (756 kilometres) and takes 7 hours to drive.
Despite its reasonable length, the best route for a road trip from Chicago to Nashville, TN, is incredibly straightforward. You begin by joining I-90 and following it south to Exit 17, in Gary, Indiana. From here, you simply join I-65 where it begins and follow it south all the way to your destination in Nashville, TN.
Best Time For A Road Trip From Chicago To Nashville, TN
The best time for a road trip from Chicago to Nashville, TN, is from the start of June to late September. This window will allow you to enjoy the best combination of warm, dry weather that both the city and our selected route experience each year.
Not only that, but during this time, you will also find all of the attractions open along our route, while the summer months will see Nashville host more events for people to enjoy than any other time.
Best Place To Stop On A Road Trip From Chicago To Nashville, TN
With a road trip from Chicago to Nashville, TN, taking around 7 hours, many people want to split the journey up across multiple days, especially if they want to see everything our selected route has to offer.
There are a few good places to do just that along the route, but none have nearly as much to offer as Indianapolis, Indiana.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital, largest, and most populous city in Indiana. One of its biggest draws is its sporting pedigree, as it is the location of the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the world-famous Indy 500, Lucas Oil Stadium, home to the NFL's Indianapolis Colts and the NFL Combine, and Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where the NBA’s Indiana Pacers play.
Downtown Indianapolis is walkable and packed with attractions like Monument Circle, the Indiana State Museum, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, and the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, the largest of its kind in the world, which offers interactive exhibits on science, history, and art.
Nature lovers can enjoy the scenic Canal Walk or White River State Park, which houses the Indianapolis Zoo and gardens. The city's emerging culinary scene offers local farm-to-table restaurants, craft breweries, and a popular farmers market.
Best Hotel To Stay At In Indianapolis – JW Marriott Indianapolis
JW Marriott Indianapolis is a luxurious, 4-star hotel located right in the heart of the city, surrounded by some of its most popular attractions. The tallest hotel in Indiana, this 34-story high-rise features 1,013 elegantly styled guest rooms and suites, all featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that offer panoramic views of the city skyline.
The rooms also boast comfortable furniture and linens, and amenities like 40-inch LCD flat screen cable TVs, Wi-Fi, iPod docking stations, air conditioning, and coffee makers.
Other facilities at the property include multiple dining options, such as the upscale OP Italian, High Velocity sports bar, and a Starbucks, a 24-hour fitness center equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, and more than 100,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including one of the largest hotel ballrooms in the Midwest. Breakfast and private parking are both available upon request.
Top Attractions On A Road Trip From Chicago To Nashville, TN
Gary, Indiana
Gary, Indiana, sits on the south shore of Lake Michigan and combines views over one of North America’s Great Lakes with industrial history and culture. Founded in 1906 by U.S. Steel, Gary played a key role in America’s manufacturing boom and is filled with historic buildings and sites from this era.
Some of its top attractions include the childhood home of pop icon Michael Jackson, Gary SouthShore RailCats stadium, and the Indiana Welcome Center, which features exhibits on the region's heritage.
Nearby, you also have Indiana Dunes National Park. Offering stunning beaches, sand dunes, hiking trails, scenic views, birdwatching, and water activities along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, it is an ideal stop for nature or beach lovers.
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest, most populous city in Kentucky. Renowned for its Southern charm, culture, and history, it is best known as the home of the legendary Kentucky Derby. Held each May, it is affectionately referred to as the “most exciting two minutes in sports,” and the Kentucky Derby Museum details the event’s storied history.
Downtown Louisville offers other attractions like the Muhammad Ali Center, which is dedicated to the life and legacy of the boxing icon and humanitarian, and the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, where the iconic baseball bats are made.
Louisville also boasts a thriving culinary scene, which is infamous for its bourbon-infused dishes, farm-to-table eateries, and the famous Hot Brown sandwich. A prime stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, many local distilleries offer tastings and tours.
Outdoor lovers can enjoy the scenic waterfront along the Ohio River, explore parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, or walk the Big Four Bridge, a pedestrian pathway that connects Kentucky to Indiana.
Shepherdsville, Kentucky
Shepherdsville, Kentucky, is best known as the home of Kart Kountry, the world's largest go-kart track, which also offers bumper boats, batting cages, miniature golf, and a sizable arcade.
A stop on the Wine, Whiskey & Ale Trail, local establishments like Wight-Meyer Vineyard & Winery and Forest Edge Winery let guests sample regional wines in scenic settings. The annual Wine, Whiskey & Ale Fest then celebrates local craft beverages with tastings and live entertainment.
Other nearby attractions include the 2,035-acre Knobs State Forest and Wildlife Management Area and Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, a 16,000-acre preserve with over 40 miles of hiking trails, a canopy tree walk, gardens, and seasonal events and educational programs.
Bardstown, Kentucky
Bardstown, Kentucky, is affectionately known as the "Bourbon Capital of the World,” as it houses 11 distilleries within a 16-mile radius of Court Square. These include Lux Row Distillers, Willett Distilling Company, Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience, and Bardstown Bourbon Company.
All offer guided tours, tastings, and the chance to bottle your own bourbon. If you time your trip right, you can even attend the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival, which celebrates the town's heritage with bourbon tastings, music, and cultural festivities.
Bardstown is also known for its history, culture, and southern charm. A collection of almost 200 historic buildings has helped it be recognized as one of America's most beautiful small towns. "My Old Kentucky Home" State Park houses the Federal Hill mansion that inspired the state song. The Civil War Museum of the Western Theater details the region's role in the conflict, and Jailer's Inn Bed and Breakfast lets you stay in a historic jail.
The Rickhouse and Scout & Scholar Brewery serve southern cuisine and craft brews, and "My Old Kentucky Dinner Train" lets you enjoy gourmet meals on vintage railcars travelling through the scenic Kentucky countryside.
Jim Beam Distillery
The official distillery of the James B. Beam Distilling Co., the Jim Beam Distillery is among the most iconic stops on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Visitors can learn about bourbon-making from the biggest and most popular bourbon brand in the world, which is brewed using over two centuries of family tradition.
The "Beam Made Bourbon" tour provides a comprehensive tour through the distillery's operations, where you will see the entire bourbon production process, including grain selection, mashing, fermentation, distillation, and aging. You will then get to sample a selection of the finest Jim Beam bourbons.
Tours of the modern Fred B. Noe Distillery show you how small-batch and experimental bourbons are made, and the "Tasting & Storytelling Experience" details the Beam family's rich history and the evolution of their bourbon-making legacy.
The Kitchen Table restaurant then offers a menu infused with bourbon flavors and Southern-inspired dishes crafted by renowned chefs, which you can enjoy while looking out at the scenic Bernheim Forest.
Fort Knox
Fort Knox is a famous U.S. Army installation known for its military significance and U.S. Bullion Depository. Tours of the infamous vault aren’t available without a permit, but visitors can drive by and see its exterior while learning about its history and construction in the visitor center.
Surrounding it, you will also find the General George Patton Museum of Leadership and its exhibits on the life and legacy of General George S. Patton Jr, which include military vehicles and an extensive collection of artifacts, including Patton's personal items.
There is also the Kentucky Museum of American Pocketknives, which showcases a unique collection that includes the world's largest pocketknife, and the beautiful Tioga Falls waterfall.
Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Elizabethtown, Kentucky, is known for its historical charm, natural environment, and family-friendly attractions. Downtown is full of historic landmarks like the Brown-Pusey House, a restored 19th-century mansion, the Hardin County History Museum and its collection of local historic artifacts, and even a Civil War-era cannonball embedded in the side of a building.
The 170-acre Freeman Lake Park provides opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and walking, and is home to Lincoln Heritage House, which details the region’s early history. Other attractions in the city include trampoline parks, climbing walls, and axe-throwing venues, so there is truly something for everyone.
Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park was established on July 1st, 1941, making it the 26th oldest national park in the nation. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve, it is the world's longest known cave system, with more than 400 miles of explored passageways and new sections still being found. This makes it larger than the 2nd and 3rd largest cave systems in the United States, Jewel Cave and Wind Cave in the Black Hills of South Dakota, combined.
It offers guided cave tours for all interests and fitness levels, including some that require lanterns and offer an authentic spelunking experience. Mammoth Cave Visitor Center provides information, exhibits, tour departures, educational displays, and amenities like restrooms and a gift shop.
Above ground, you will find 52,000 acres of rolling hills, dense forests, and the scenic Green and Nolin Rivers, where you can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, camping, fishing, wildlife spotting, biking, and more. Mammoth Cave Hotel is available for guests who want to make an overnight stay in style.
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Bowling Green is Kentucky’s 3rd largest and 3rd most populous city and a destination that boasts many prominent attractions. This is while enjoying the vibrant, youthful atmosphere that comes from being the location of Western Kentucky University.
The National Corvette Museum and GM Corvette Assembly Plant offer exhibits and guided tours that let you learn about this iconic American car in the city where it was founded. NCM Motorsports Park hosts go-karting and track events. Historic RailPark & Train Museum offers interactive exhibits and vintage railcars.
Lost River Cave features hiking trails, Kentucky's only underground boat tour, and a seasonal butterfly habitat. Chaney's Dairy Barn serves farm-fresh ice cream and details dairy farming operations in the region. Beech Bend Park is a drag strip, amusement park, and water park all in one.
Fountain Square Park in Downtown Bowling Green boasts local boutiques, eateries, and cultural venues like the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center (SKyPAC) and Riley's Bakery.
Franklin, Kentucky
Franklin, Kentucky, is a small town founded in 1820 and known for its Southern hospitality, charm, and history. It features a variety of attractions to appeal to people of all tastes and interests.
Octagon Hall Museum is an eight-sided antebellum home from 1860 that was a hospital during the Civil War and is now known for its Civil War artifacts and paranormal lore. Simpson County History Center & Old Jail offers tours of a historic jail and information on law enforcement in the region through the years.
The African American Heritage Center has educational exhibits and programs detailing the contributions and history of African Americans in the region.
Franklin Downtown Commercial District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features many historic buildings with a variety of architectural styles. These include the Goodnight House, a Late Victorian building from 1893 that was home to U.S. Congressman Isaac Herschel Goodnight and is now the Chamber of Commerce, and Gallery on the Square, which hosts local artists and cultural events.
Dueling Grounds Distillery is a popular stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour and offers tastings of their Linkumpinch Bourbon and tours of their facility. Mint Gaming Hall at Kentucky Downs has Vegas-style gaming, live horse racing in September, and dining options, and The Barrel Social Club Franklin is an esteemed poker room.
You will even find Kentucky's largest sunflower maze at Ruby Branch Farms.
Historic Mansker’s Station
Historic Mansker’s Station in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, is an 18th-century frontier attraction in the 200-acre Moss-Wright Park. It centres around a reconstructed 1779 log fort and the Bowen Plantation House from 1787, which is the oldest brick residence in Middle Tennessee.
Frontiersman Kasper Mansker established the fort as a refuge for early settlers navigating the American frontier. The carefully recreated structure details the defensive strategies and daily routines of the time. The Bowen Plantation House, a Federal-style brick house built by Revolutionary War veteran Captain William Bowen, then details the domestic life of a prosperous frontier family.
Guided tours of both structures led by knowledgeable guides in period attire can be enjoyed Monday to Friday. These will take visitors through the buildings and explain everything about them and their history.
Final Thoughts On Planning A Road Trip From Chicago To Nashville, TN
That concludes our guide to planning a dream road trip from Chicago to Nashville, TN. You should now have all the information you need to make the trip as enjoyable as possible, from when to go and which route to use to where to stay and what to see along the way.
All you have left to do is work out what to take with you and start getting everything budgeted for and booked, so you can look forward to enjoying it all for yourself as soon as possible. If you need help planning where to stay to begin your trip in Chicago, we even have an article to help you there, too.
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