Hertz Car Rental
Tennessee

After collecting your luggage at baggage claim, look for the prominent overhead signs directing you to "Rental Cars" or the "Ground Transportation Center." You will exit the main terminal building on Level 1 and follow a covered walkway to a separate, dedicated rental car facility. This consolidated center houses multiple rental agencies, including the Hertz counter, all in one convenient location. The walk is short and clearly marked, ensuring you can easily find your way without needing to wait for a shuttle bus.

Arriving late at Nashville International Airport is a common scenario for many travelers. The rental car facility is located in a separate building that is connected to the main terminal via a covered walkway, which remains open and well-lit 24/7. You can simply follow the signs from baggage claim to the facility at any hour. While it's always a good practice to confirm the specific counter hours for your rental, the building itself is accessible, allowing you to complete your pickup process even on a late-night arrival.

During a busy weekend, it's wise to budget approximately 60 to 90 minutes from the time your plane lands to when you drive away in your rental car. This timeframe accounts for deplaning, walking to baggage claim, waiting for your luggage, and then proceeding to the rental car facility. The final step at the rental counter can vary depending on the number of travelers arriving at the same time. Planning for this duration helps ensure a relaxed start to your trip without feeling rushed.

For a more straightforward drive to Lower Broadway, take I-40 West from the airport. Instead of navigating the complex downtown loop, watch for Exit 209B for Demonbreun Street. This exit provides a much simpler, more direct approach into the heart of the downtown entertainment district. Taking this route allows you to bypass some of the more confusing interchanges and one-way streets, making it an ideal choice for first-time visitors to the city.

While typical weekday rush hours from 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM cause significant congestion, event traffic is often more challenging for visitors. On nights with a major concert or a Predators game at Bridgestone Arena, or a Titans game at Nissan Stadium, the downtown core can become gridlocked. This event-based traffic is less predictable than daily commutes and often involves road closures, making navigation particularly difficult if you're unfamiliar with the area.

To reach East Nashville from BNA, the most direct route is to take I-40 West toward downtown. As you approach the city, you will merge onto I-24 West. From there, you can take either the Shelby Avenue exit or the James Robertson Parkway exit to cross the Cumberland River. Both of these approaches provide straightforward access to the main thoroughfares of East Nashville while avoiding the most congested parts of the central business district.

The simplest way to reach the Vanderbilt and Belmont University areas is to bypass the downtown core entirely. From BNA, take I-40 West and then look for the exit to I-440 West. This loop freeway will take you around the south side of the city. You can then take Exit 3 for 21st Avenue South/Hillsboro Pike, which leads you directly into the heart of these neighborhoods, avoiding the complex grid of one-way streets downtown.

For a less stressful drive south to Franklin or Cool Springs, the best approach is to use the interstate loop to bypass downtown Nashville. From the airport, take I-40 West for a short distance to the I-440 East interchange. Follow I-440 East until it merges with I-65 South. This route avoids the often-congested I-40/I-24/I-65 split in the city center and provides a much smoother, more direct path for your journey south.

The downtown interstate loop where I-40, I-24, and I-65 converge can be very confusing for first-time drivers due to its multiple lanes and quick decision points. The key is to use a GPS with lane guidance and pay close attention to the large overhead signs well in advance. Know which interstate you need to be on next and begin moving into the correct lanes at least a mile before the actual split to avoid last-minute, stressful maneuvers.

Nashville frequently closes streets in the downtown area, especially Lower Broadway, for concerts, festivals, and even on regular weekend evenings to create pedestrian-friendly zones. These closures can happen with little advance notice to those unfamiliar with the city's schedule. It is essential to use a real-time navigation app like Google Maps or Waze, as they will typically route you around active closures and save you from getting stuck in unexpected detours.

Stopping directly on Lower Broadway to unload luggage is nearly impossible and will block traffic. The best strategy is to check with your hotel beforehand about their designated loading zone or valet service, which is often located on a less-congested side street like 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Avenue. If your hotel doesn't have a specific area, find a temporary spot on one of these side streets to quickly unload your bags before proceeding to find long-term parking.

Yes, some of the older parking garages located in the historic core of downtown Nashville can have surprisingly tight turns, steep ramps, and lower-than-average clearance heights. If you are driving a larger vehicle like a full-size SUV or a pickup truck, it's a good idea to pay close attention to any posted clearance signs at the garage entrance. Newer garages, particularly those attached to modern hotels or office buildings, generally offer more spacious and easier-to-navigate layouts.

The drive to Lynchburg is a pleasant and scenic journey that transitions from interstate to country roads. You'll start on I-24 East before exiting onto state highways that take you through Tennessee's rolling hills. The final portion of the drive becomes more rural, with two-lane roads that have gentle curves but are well-maintained and not overly challenging. It's a relaxing drive that offers a beautiful glimpse of the state's countryside.

A day trip to the Great Smoky Mountains is ambitious but doable with careful planning. To maximize your time, plan to leave Nashville no later than 5:00 AM. The drive to the Gatlinburg area is about 3.5 to 4 hours each way, so an early start gets you there before midday. Plan for a late return, likely departing the mountains around 6:00 PM to be back in Nashville by 10:00 PM, and be prepared for potential traffic delays near Knoxville and Sevierville.

The most straightforward and least curvy route is to take I-40 East all the way past Knoxville to Exit 407 for TN-66 South. This highway leads you directly into Sevierville and Pigeon Forge, and then on to Gatlinburg. While this route can experience heavy tourist traffic, it consists of major, well-maintained roads and avoids the narrow, winding backroads found on alternative mountain passes, making it the most comfortable option for most drivers.

The area around the Grand Ole Opry and the Opry Mills shopping complex is a major hub of activity that gets very congested, especially in the afternoon. You should expect significant traffic as shoppers, hotel guests, and show-goers all converge in the same area. While there is ample parking available in the large surrounding lots, finding a spot and walking to your destination can take extra time, so it's best to allow a buffer of at least 30 minutes.

The most practical strategy for an evening downtown is to park your car once and leave it. Driving between venues on and around Broadway is highly impractical due to heavy pedestrian traffic, frequent street closures, and the high cost and scarcity of parking. Find a spot in a secure, centrally located parking garage for the entire evening. From there, you can easily walk to the Ryman, honky-tonks, and restaurants, or use a rideshare for longer distances.

To avoid the worst of the pre-event gridlock, plan to park your car at least 90 minutes before the start time of a concert or game. For major events, arriving two hours early is even better. This gives you plenty of time to navigate road closures, find a parking spot in a garage that may be several blocks away, and walk to the venue without feeling rushed. The closer you get to the event time, the more severe the traffic and parking challenges become.

The Gulch is a modern and trendy neighborhood, but it is also very dense and constantly busy with both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. While the streets themselves are straightforward, they can feel tight due to valet stands, delivery trucks, and people crossing. The parking garages are generally modern but can have compact spaces, so navigating with a large SUV requires extra caution and patience, especially during peak weekend and evening hours.

Driving to Percy Priest Lake from the airport is extremely manageable, as the lake is located just a few miles east of BNA. The main roads leading to the area are easy to navigate. However, on warm and sunny weekends, the two-lane access roads leading into popular spots like Cook Recreation Area or Hamilton Creek can get very crowded. Arriving early in the morning is the best way to avoid traffic backups and secure a good parking spot.

Parking at both Radnor Lake State Park and Percy Warner Park is notoriously limited and fills up very quickly, especially on weekends and days with pleasant weather. To ensure you get a parking spot, it is highly recommended to arrive before 9:00 AM. If you plan a visit for later in the day, consider going on a weekday afternoon when the crowds are significantly smaller and parking is more readily available.

Reaching Cheekwood by car is a beautiful and straightforward drive. A common route is to take I-440 to the Hillsboro Pike exit and head south through a scenic residential area. The route is well-marked with signs directing you to the estate. The final approach on roads like Belle Meade Boulevard and Forrest Park Drive is picturesque and does not involve any confusing turns, making it an easy destination for visitors to find.

To minimize driving time, a logical sequence would be to start in Hillsboro Village, which is near the Vanderbilt area. From there, it's a short drive to the adjacent 12 South neighborhood. Finally, drive across town to Germantown, which is located just north of the downtown core. Parking in these popular neighborhoods is a mix of street parking and small lots, so be prepared to be patient and potentially walk a few blocks to your destination.

The drive to Chattanooga is a relatively easy two-hour trip primarily on I-24 East. The route is scenic, especially as you cross the Cumberland Plateau. The most common area for slowdowns is the descent from Monteagle Mountain, where steep grades require trucks to travel at very slow speeds, often causing backups in the right lanes. Be prepared for this section and stay alert for changing traffic speeds.

When driving up Lookout Mountain, be prepared for steep grades and several sharp, hairpin turns. It's important to maintain a slow, controlled speed and consider using a lower gear to manage your descent. Parking for attractions like Rock City and Ruby Falls is available in designated lots, but they can fill up during peak season. Follow the signs carefully, as parking on the narrow roadside is generally not permitted and can be unsafe.

A day trip to Memphis is a long but very doable excursion, with about three hours of driving each way on I-40 West. The drive is mostly straight and flat. For a good halfway break, the Tennessee River Welcome Center offers restrooms and a scenic overlook. The city of Jackson, located about two-thirds of the way to Memphis, has numerous restaurants and gas stations, making it another excellent and convenient stopping point.

To have the smoothest entry into Memphis, aim to arrive between the morning and afternoon rush hours, ideally between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. This window allows you to avoid the heaviest commuter traffic on the I-240 loop that circles the city. Arriving during this time makes it much easier to navigate to downtown attractions like Beale Street or the Sun Studio and find parking without significant delays.

The drive from Nashville to Knoxville along I-40 East is generally a smooth and scenic 2.5 to 3-hour trip. The section that crosses the Cumberland Plateau is beautiful but can sometimes have slower truck traffic on the inclines or patches of fog depending on the weather. The most common congestion point is typically on the west side of Knoxville as you approach the I-640 and I-75 interchanges, especially during weekday commuter hours.

After a show at Ascend Amphitheater, expect significant traffic congestion and likely road closures on Korean Veterans Boulevard and the surrounding streets. Vehicle pickup directly at the venue is extremely difficult. The best strategy is to plan a meeting point several blocks away, perhaps further into the SoBro neighborhood or across the river, and walk there to meet your car. This will help you avoid the immediate post-concert gridlock.

During weekday morning rush hour, typically from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM, you should plan to leave downtown Nashville at least 45 to 60 minutes before you need to be at the airport's rental car return center. The drive on I-40 East can become heavily congested with commuter traffic. This time buffer will account for potential delays on the interstate and give you enough time to complete the vehicle return process without stress.

As you approach Nashville International Airport on the main access road, stay in the left-hand lanes. You will see large, clear overhead signs for "Rental Car Return." These signs will direct you to a dedicated entrance that is separate from the main loops for Departures and Arrivals. Following these specific signs is crucial, as missing the turn will require you to circle the entire airport roadway system to get back to the entrance.

The most efficient method is to first follow the signs for "Departures" to drop off passengers and luggage at the airline's curbside check-in on the upper level. After they have exited the vehicle, the driver can simply continue following the main airport roadway. The signs will naturally guide you to loop back around toward the airport entrance, where you can then easily follow the well-marked signs for "Rental Car Return."

A great meeting spot for a group is in the main baggage claim area on Level 1, near the carousels for the last flight to arrive. This allows everyone to gather their luggage in one place. Another excellent option is the food court area, located pre-security on the Departures level, which offers seating and a more relaxed environment. Once everyone has assembled, you can all proceed together to the rental car facility.

Driving on Nashville's interstates during a heavy downpour can be challenging, as visibility is often significantly reduced by spray from trucks and other large vehicles. Puddles can form quickly, creating a risk of hydroplaning. It's common for traffic to slow down abruptly and unexpectedly, so it is essential to reduce your speed, turn on your headlights, and maintain a much greater following distance than you would in dry conditions.

Snow and ice are infrequent in Nashville, but when they occur, road crews prioritize treating the major interstates first. For visitors leaving the airport, the safest routes will be the main arteries like I-40, I-24, and I-65. These highways are the most likely to be brined, salted, and plowed, making them more passable than secondary roads or neighborhood streets, which may remain untreated for longer periods.

Visitors to Nashville are often surprised by the number of short on-ramps on the older sections of the interstate system, which require drivers to get up to speed very quickly. The downtown loop, where I-40, I-24, and I-65 intertwine, demands decisive and timely lane changes. It's also common for drivers to make late exits, so maintaining awareness of the cars around you is key to navigating the city's highways safely.

The most effective strategy for a multi-venue evening is to park your car once in a central location and leave it there. Choose a well-lit parking garage near the Ryman or in the SoBro area. From that central point, you can easily walk between most downtown venues. Attempting to drive and repark for each stop is inefficient and stressful due to heavy traffic, pedestrian-only zones, and the high demand for parking.

A fantastic 3-5 day loop from Nashville is to first drive southeast to Chattanooga for a day or two to explore its attractions. From there, head northeast toward the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the towns of Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge for another two days. To complete the loop, you can drive back to Nashville directly on I-40 West. This creates a scenic triangle that covers Tennessee's major highlights without having to retrace your steps.

For easy stops with children, the Adventure Science Center is an excellent choice, as it has its own large, dedicated parking lot right next to the entrance. Another great option is Centennial Park, where you can visit The Parthenon and enjoy open green space with ample free parking available nearby. The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is also designed for families, offering convenient, on-site parking that minimizes the walk for little legs.