Dollar Car Hire
Nashville

After collecting your luggage at Nashville International Airport, follow the overhead signs for Ground Transportation and the Rental Car Facility. You will proceed to a designated shuttle bus stop on Level 1 of the terminal. These complimentary shuttles run continuously, taking passengers on a short ride directly to the consolidated rental car centre where the Dollar desk is located. The whole process is well signposted and designed to be straightforward for arriving travellers.

Collecting your car late at night at BNA is often less congested than during peak times. Once you have your vehicle from the rental facility, make sure your satnav is ready before you start driving. The exit signs are clearly marked for the I-40, which is the main route into Nashville. Pay close attention to signs for I-40 West if you are heading towards the city centre. Following your navigation app's instructions carefully from the moment you leave the car park is the best way to avoid accidentally re-entering the airport circulation loops.

The most direct route from BNA to Downtown Nashville is via I-40 West. However, during rush hour this interstate can become heavily congested. A reliable alternative is to take Donelson Pike north from the airport area to Lebanon Pike, which then leads you west into the downtown core. Although this route has traffic lights, it often moves more consistently than a gridlocked interstate. Using a real-time traffic app is highly recommended to help you decide which option is faster when you depart.

To be safe, you should allow at least 60 to 90 minutes from the time you get on the rental car shuttle at BNA to arriving at a parking spot near Broadway. The drive itself can be as quick as 20 minutes in light traffic, but you must factor in potential flight delays, shuttle waits and the rental pick-up process. Event nights create heavy traffic and parking challenges in the city centre, so adding a generous buffer ensures you won't be stressed or miss the start of your event.

For first-time visitors, driving in Nashville can be tricky due to its hub-and-spoke interstate system where I-40, I-65 and I-24 converge downtown. This creates several complex interchanges with left-lane exits and quick merges that can be surprising if you're not prepared. Many downtown streets are one-way, so relying on a satnav is essential. Be particularly cautious on the city's loop highways, Briley Parkway and I-440, as lane changes can happen abruptly during heavy traffic.

Nashville's main interstates typically experience the heaviest congestion during standard weekday rush hours, from about 07:00 to 09:00 and 16:00 to 18:30. The downtown loop where all three interstates meet is a frequent bottleneck. For local travel, using bypasses like Briley Parkway (SR 155) or I-440 can sometimes help you avoid the worst of the downtown gridlock. For shorter trips, surface streets like Charlotte Pike or Nolensville Pike can be viable, albeit slower, alternatives to a standstill on the motorway.

Downtown Nashville features a dense grid of one-way streets, which is the most important factor to consider when navigating to your hotel. It's crucial to use a satnav and review your hotel's specific driving directions beforehand, as a missed turn can require circling several blocks to get back on track. Be aware that entrances to hotel parking garages are often on a specific side of the building, so knowing your final approach is key. Stay in the correct lane and give yourself plenty of time to avoid last-minute manoeuvres.

When arriving at a hotel in busy areas like The Gulch or Midtown, the best strategy is to use the hotel's designated temporary check-in or valet area right at the entrance. This allows you to pull out of traffic safely to unload your luggage and check in without pressure. Once you have your room key, ask the hotel staff for the clearest directions to the self-parking garage entrance. Trying to find the garage first with a car full of bags can be stressful and confusing.

For an evening on Broadway, the most common strategy is to park in one of the many paid public car parks or lots located within a few blocks of the main strip. The Music City Center and the Fifth + Broadway complex offer large, centrally located car parks. Parking a little further away, perhaps closer to the SoBro or Rutledge Hill neighbourhoods, can sometimes offer slightly better availability and a pleasant walk. Once parked, you can easily explore the entire downtown entertainment district on foot for the rest of the night.

On event days, traffic around Nissan Stadium becomes extremely heavy, especially on the I-24 corridor and the streets immediately surrounding the venue. Many roads may be closed or have restricted access. The stadium has numerous official parking lots, but these often require a pre-paid pass and fill up quickly. A popular alternative is to park in a downtown car park on the other side of the Cumberland River and walk across the scenic John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge to the stadium, avoiding the worst of the post-event traffic jam.

To best enjoy the Opry and Opry Mills area, plan your visit for a weekday morning or early afternoon if possible. This helps you avoid the peak evening rush for Opry shows and the weekend shopping crowds at the mall. The area is easily accessible from Briley Parkway. Parking is plentiful and free in the large lots surrounding the mall and the Opry House. Arriving early for a show gives you ample time to park, explore the grounds and find your seat without any stress.

The drive to Centennial Park is not particularly difficult, as it's located just off West End Avenue, a major city thoroughfare. The primary challenge is parking, which can be competitive, especially on sunny weekends or during park events. There is a significant amount of free angle parking along the park's internal roads, but these spots fill up fast. Arriving earlier in the day gives you the best chance of finding a convenient spot close to The Parthenon; otherwise you may need to circle the park a few times.

When travelling between East Nashville and downtown on a busy weekend night, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge (Gateway Bridge) is often a good choice as it feeds directly into the East Nashville neighbourhoods. The Woodland Street Bridge can also be a solid option. The James Robertson Parkway bridge can get very congested with traffic heading to and from Nissan Stadium or Broadway. Using a navigation app with live traffic data is the best way to see which crossing is moving most smoothly at that moment.

For a first-time visitor, the simplest and most direct route from BNA to Franklin is to take I-40 West briefly to I-440 West. Follow I-440 for a few miles until you reach the exit for I-65 South towards Huntsville/Birmingham. This route lets you bypass the complex downtown interstate exchanges entirely. Once you are on I-65 South, it's a straight shot down to the various exits for Franklin, making for a much less stressful drive.

A day trip to Lynchburg takes about 90 minutes each way from Nashville, so plan for at least a half-day. The drive is primarily on I-24 East, followed by state highways through scenic, rolling Tennessee countryside. These two-lane roads are well maintained but require more attentive driving than an interstate. To make the most of your visit, it's wise to book your distillery tour in advance online, especially for a weekend trip, and aim to leave Nashville by mid-morning to enjoy a relaxed pace.

The drive from Nashville to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky is about 90 minutes to two hours, mostly north on I-65. It's a very easy and direct interstate drive. Once you exit the highway, you'll follow well signposted park roads to the visitor centre. The park has large, free car parks, but they can get busy during peak season. It is highly recommended to book your cave tour tickets online well in advance, as they frequently sell out, especially for popular tour times.

The drive to Chattanooga is almost entirely on I-24 East, which is notorious for traffic, particularly around Murfreesboro and the Monteagle Mountain pass. To avoid the worst of it, try to leave Nashville very early in the morning, well before the typical rush hour begins. On your return trip, departing Chattanooga after the evening rush hour has subsided can also lead to a smoother journey. Always check a live traffic map before you depart, as accidents can cause significant delays on this route at any time.

A day trip to Knoxville is a long but manageable drive, taking about three hours each way almost exclusively on I-40 East. The most tiring part of the journey is often the Cumberland Plateau section, which involves long, steady inclines and declines that require more driver focus. To make the trip easier, plan to leave Nashville early to maximise your time in Knoxville. Consider sharing driving duties if possible, and schedule a break around the halfway point in a town like Cookeville on both legs of the trip.

For a beautiful and relaxing half-day drive, the Natchez Trace Parkway is an excellent choice. You can access it just south‑west of Nashville off Highway 100. Drive south to the iconic Double Arch Bridge for photos, then perhaps exit at Leiper's Fork for a stroll through the charming village before looping back to the city. Another great option is driving through the rolling hills and horse farms around Franklin and Williamson County, using routes like Hillsboro Road and Old Natchez Trace for a peaceful country experience.

The northern terminus of the Natchez Trace Parkway is easily accessed from Nashville via Highway 100. The key thing to know is that this is a scenic road with a strictly enforced low speed limit, designed for leisurely cruising, not for getting somewhere fast. Commercial traffic is prohibited, making for a peaceful drive. Many visitors from Nashville drive south to the Double Arch Bridge (milepost 438) for a great photo opportunity, which makes for a perfect turnaround point on a one‑to‑two‑hour excursion.

Radnor Lake State Park is very accessible by car, located in the Oak Hill area just south of downtown Nashville. However, parking is extremely limited and highly competitive, especially on weekends and sunny afternoons. To secure a space without frustration, your best bet is to arrive early on a weekday morning, ideally before 09:00. If visiting on a weekend, arriving right when the park opens is essential, as the lots often fill to capacity and you may be turned away.

During major events like CMA Fest, numerous streets in the downtown core, especially around Broadway and the riverfront, will be completely closed to vehicle traffic. This significantly impacts routes from the airport to downtown hotels. Your satnav may not have real‑time closure information, so it's critical to check the official event website for traffic plans and consult your hotel for specific detour instructions. Expect significant delays and plan to use alternative routes that bypass the immediate festival zone, such as coming in from the north or south.

The best strategy for weekend navigation downtown is to park your hire car once and explore on foot. Find a car park on the perimeter of the main entertainment district, such as near the Music City Center or in SoBro, and leave the car there. Traffic patterns can change rapidly with police directing flow and temporary closures for pedestrian safety. Relying on your car to hop between spots on Broadway or 2nd Avenue is impractical and stressful; walking is almost always faster and easier.

Nashville International Airport offers two cell phone waiting lots where you can park for free while you wait for your friends' flight to land. These lots are located just a few minutes from the terminal. Once your friends have collected their bags and are standing at the arrivals curb, they can call you, and you can proceed directly to the passenger pickup area. This system is designed to keep the terminal roadways clear and is the most efficient way to coordinate a pickup.

The drive to BNA for an early morning flight is typically very smooth with minimal traffic. The simplest approach is to take I-40 East directly to the airport exit (Exit 216A). The airport signage is large, well lit and easy to follow even in the dark. Once you take the exit, clear signs will guide you to the Rental Car Return area. Just have your satnav running for confirmation and you'll find the process quick and straightforward.

On a busy Monday morning, it's wise to allow at least 30 to 45 extra minutes for the car hire return process at BNA. This accounts for potential queues at the return facility, waiting for the shuttle bus to the terminal and the shuttle ride itself. Monday mornings are a peak travel time for business travellers, so both the airport roads and the security lines inside the terminal will be busier than usual. Building this buffer into your schedule helps ensure a stress‑free departure.

For families with children, the Adventure Science Center and the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere are excellent choices that are very car friendly. Both attractions have large, dedicated car parks located right at their entrances, minimising the walk for little legs. The Grand Ole Opry and Opry Mills area also offer vast, convenient parking. These destinations allow you to park once and access multiple activities, making them much easier to manage than navigating the downtown on foot with children.

For a group, the most efficient plan is to have only the primary driver take the shuttle to the rental car facility to collect the vehicle. The rest of the group can wait with all the luggage at the arrivals curb on Level 1. Once the driver has the car, they can circle around to the passenger pickup area to load everyone and their bags. This prevents the entire group from crowding the rental counter and ensures you can load the car quickly without obstructing traffic.

Nashville's hilly terrain and numerous bridges can become hazardous during a cold snap, especially if there is any precipitation. Bridges and overpasses freeze before other road surfaces, so approach them with extra caution. Many of the city's secondary roads in hilly neighbourhoods may not be treated as quickly as major arteries. If conditions are icy, it's best to stick to main roads and avoid late‑night driving when temperatures are at their lowest and roads are most likely to refreeze.

Petrol stations immediately surrounding the airport on Donelson Pike can get busy, particularly during peak rental return times like Sunday evenings and Monday mornings. Many travellers stop at one of these convenient locations right before returning their vehicle. After picking up a car, you'll find plenty of less‑crowded petrol stations along any major route heading away from the airport towards your destination. There's no need to feel pressured to fill up at the very first station you see.

Finding EV charging in Nashville's core neighbourhoods is becoming increasingly common. Many public car parks, including those at the Music City Center and Fifth + Broadway, offer charging points. You'll also find them at hotels and some retail centres in The Gulch and Midtown. It's a good idea to use a charging station locator app on your phone to see real‑time availability and charger types. Planning your charging stops ahead of time, especially overnight at your hotel, is the best strategy.

To efficiently visit multiple neighbourhoods, plan a logical loop using a map. A good route could be starting in 12 South, then heading west to Hillsboro Village before cutting north to Midtown and Germantown. From Germantown, it's an easy drive across the river to explore East Nashville. This creates a rough circular path that minimises backtracking. Parking can be tight in these areas, so be prepared to park once in each neighbourhood and explore its main streets on foot.

A smart plan is to use your hire car to travel between distinct neighbourhoods, then rely on walking or rideshares for shorter hops within that area. For example, you could drive to East Nashville, park your car for the evening, and then walk between several breweries and restaurants there. This strategy allows you to enjoy yourself responsibly without worrying about driving. The hire car remains valuable for longer trips, like getting to your accommodation or visiting attractions outside the city centre.

One of the conveniences of driving in this region is that Tennessee does not have any toll roads, making travel within the state simple. When driving from Nashville into neighbouring states like Alabama, you also won't encounter tolls on the main interstate routes. Some bridges crossing the Ohio River into northern Kentucky from Indiana or Ohio do have tolls, but the direct routes from Nashville into southern Kentucky are generally toll‑free. It's always a good practice to check your specific long‑distance route on a satnav beforehand.

Driving and parking near Vanderbilt can be very stressful during major events like football matches, graduation or student move‑in days. The surrounding streets in the West End and Hillsboro Village areas become heavily congested, and on‑street parking becomes nearly impossible to find. Many campus lots are restricted during these times. If you must visit during a peak event, arrive very early, expect significant delays and be prepared to use a paid car park and walk a considerable distance to your destination.

The most practical approach for a show at Ascend Amphitheatre is to park in a car park that is a few blocks away from the venue itself. Car parks further up toward the SoBro neighbourhood or nearer the Country Music Hall of Fame are good options. This allows for a relatively easy walk to the show and, more importantly, helps you avoid the immediate gridlock on Korean Veterans Boulevard after the concert ends. Walking a bit further to your car often means you can get onto the motorway or a main road much faster.

A great plan is to start your day at Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery, as it's the furthest west. From there, it's a very short and easy drive to the adjacent Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. After visiting both, you can drive back towards the city. For a fantastic skyline view, head to the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge downtown or Love Circle, a small park in the Hillsboro West End neighbourhood. This west‑to‑east progression makes for an efficient and enjoyable day.

The drive from Nashville to Memphis is a straight shot west on I-40 and takes about three to three‑and‑a‑half hours without major stops. The route is mostly rural and generally not prone to heavy traffic once you are outside Nashville's metro area. A popular and convenient halfway point for a break is the Tennessee River, near the town of Parsons. For a more interesting stop, consider a short detour to the Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum in Jackson, which is right off the interstate.

For a quick stop, efficiency is key. After picking up your car at BNA, drive directly to the downtown area and park in a central car park, like the one at the Music City Center. This gives you a base to explore Broadway, the Ryman Auditorium and the Johnny Cash Museum on foot for a few hours. To avoid feeling rushed, allow at least five to six hours total, which includes travel time to and from the airport, the rental car process and your exploration time. Head back to BNA at least two hours before your flight.