Payless Car Rental
Tennessee

Upon arrival at Nashville International Airport, the most straightforward method is to follow the overhead signs for Ground Transportation and the Rental Car Facility. BNA consolidates most rental car services in a dedicated center, which is typically accessed via a short shuttle ride from the terminal. Instead of looking for a specific curb, focus on finding the designated shuttle pickup zone for rental cars. This ensures you are heading to the correct location where all the counters, including Payless, are conveniently located together.

If your flight is delayed, it's wise to confirm the operating hours of the rental car facility before you even leave the secure area. While many airport locations have extended hours to accommodate late arrivals, it's always a good practice to be aware of the closing time. Check the airport directory maps inside the terminal to reorient yourself with the location of the rental car shuttle pickup area. Having this information handy ensures that once you collect your luggage, you can proceed directly to the correct spot without confusion or wasted time.

It's practical to budget between 60 and 90 minutes from deplaning to driving away, though this can vary. This timeframe accounts for walking through the terminal, a potential stop at baggage claim, and taking the shuttle to the rental car center. The length of the queue at the rental counter and the time it takes to complete the pickup process are also significant factors. During peak travel seasons, holidays, or major Nashville events, allowing for a bit of extra buffer time is always a smart strategy to avoid a rushed start to your trip.

For a first-time driver, the most direct and least complicated route from BNA to downtown Nashville is typically via I-40 West. The airport exit signs are very clear, guiding you directly onto the interstate. This route avoids immediate surface streets and complex turns, allowing you to get accustomed to the car on a major highway. As you approach the downtown area, your GPS will guide you to the specific exit for your hotel, but the initial leg of the journey on I-40 is very straightforward for newcomers.

Once you have your rental car, the rental facility's parking garage itself is the best place to get organized. Before exiting the garage, find a safe spot out of the main traffic flow to input your destination into the GPS and adjust your mirrors and seats. If you need more time, there are several gas stations and small shopping plazas located on Donelson Pike, just a few minutes from the airport exit. These locations offer a safe place to pull over, secure luggage, and make sure everyone is comfortable before merging onto the interstate.

An effective strategy is for the designated driver to proceed alone on the shuttle to the rental car facility to handle the paperwork. The rest of the group can wait with the luggage at a designated passenger pickup area outside the terminal, which is often less congested than the main arrivals curb. Once the driver has the car, they can circle back to the terminal's pickup zone to collect everyone. This approach minimizes the time your family has to manage luggage in the busy rental center.

The most efficient plan is for the person whose flight arrives first to head to the rental car center and secure the vehicle. The best meeting point is often the cell phone waiting lot, where the driver can wait comfortably until the rest of the party has landed and collected their bags. Alternatively, you can coordinate a pickup at one of the terminal's designated passenger loading zones once everyone is ready. Clear communication via text message is key to timing the pickup perfectly and avoiding circling the airport.

A frequent mistake for drivers leaving BNA is accidentally taking I-40 East towards Knoxville instead of I-40 West towards Nashville. The signage is generally clear, but it's easy to get into the wrong lane quickly. Another common issue is missing the turn for Donelson Pike if you're heading to a nearby hotel or restaurant, which can lead you directly onto the interstate. Using a GPS from the moment you start the car is the best way to ensure you're in the correct lane for your intended direction.

To reach East Nashville from BNA while bypassing the most complex downtown interchanges, a great option is to take I-40 West and then merge onto I-24 West. From there, you can take one of the exits for the East Nashville neighborhoods, such as the Shelby Avenue or James A. Robertson Parkway exits. This route keeps you on major highways for most of the trip but allows you to exit before hitting the densest part of the downtown loop. It's a reliable path that minimizes the chances of getting caught in confusing city-center traffic.

When driving to a hotel in the Broadway or Music Row areas, it's best to approach from a side street rather than directly from the main thoroughfares. These areas are often crowded with pedestrians, and hotel entrances can be easy to miss. Program your GPS to the hotel's specific parking garage entrance, not just the front door address. Arriving during non-peak hours, such as mid-afternoon on a weekday, can also make navigating to your hotel's valet or self-parking area significantly less stressful.

For a full evening on Lower Broadway, the most practical solution is to use one of the large, centrally located parking garages. The Music City Center and the Fifth + Broadway complex offer extensive parking and are just a short walk from the main strip of honky-tonks. While street parking may seem available, it is often limited by time and difficult to find. Choosing a secure garage allows you to park once and enjoy your entire night on foot without worrying about moving your vehicle.

A smart plan for parking for a Ryman show is to target a garage that is a few blocks away from the venue itself. Garages near the Bridgestone Arena or the Music City Center are excellent choices, as they are a comfortable five-to-ten-minute walk away. Arriving at least an hour before showtime gives you ample time to park and walk without rushing. This strategy helps you avoid the immediate traffic congestion right in front of the Ryman, making for a much smoother arrival and departure.

To avoid game day gridlock at Nissan Stadium, consider parking in a downtown garage on the opposite side of the Cumberland River. From there, you can enjoy a scenic walk across the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge directly to the stadium. This approach not only bypasses the worst of the traffic immediately surrounding the venue but also makes for a much quicker exit after the game. Alternatively, arriving several hours early allows you to find parking that offers an easier route back to the interstate.

If you're driving to Bridgestone Arena from outside the downtown core, it's wise to plan your arrival for at least 90 minutes before the event's start time. This buffer accounts for potential rush-hour traffic, the time it takes to find parking in a nearby garage, and the walk to the arena. Nashville traffic can be unpredictable, especially on event nights, so giving yourself plenty of extra time ensures a relaxed and stress-free experience. You can use the extra time to grab a bite to eat at one of the many nearby restaurants.

To minimize traffic stress when visiting the Opry area, try to arrive in the morning on a weekday, as weekends and afternoons can be extremely busy. Use Briley Parkway (TN-155) for the most direct access, following the clear signage for the Grand Ole Opry or Opry Mills. Once you arrive, park in one of the vast lots and plan to explore the entire complex on foot. Trying to move your car between the mall, the Opry House, and the Gaylord Opryland resort is inefficient and will likely lead to getting stuck in traffic.

The most convenient parking for the Country Music Hall of Fame is the garage at the Music City Center, located directly across the street. This large, modern facility provides easy access not only to the Hall of Fame but also to the Bridgestone Arena and the Walk of Fame Park. Parking here allows you to leave your car for the day and explore the entire SoBro (South of Broadway) neighborhood on foot. It's a central hub that makes for a perfect home base for a day of downtown sightseeing.

For a stress-free visit to The Parthenon, aim for a weekday morning when parking is most plentiful. There is a significant amount of free angle parking along the park's perimeter roads, but these spots fill up quickly, especially on sunny weekends or during park events. If the immediate lots are full, you can often find street parking in the surrounding residential neighborhoods, but be sure to read the signs carefully for any restrictions. Arriving early is the single best strategy to secure a convenient spot without circling.

A strategic way to explore Nashville's neighborhoods is to group them by proximity and park once in each area. For example, you could dedicate a morning to the 12South and Belmont areas, finding a single parking spot to explore both on foot. In the afternoon, you could drive to The Gulch, park in a central garage, and walk to its various shops and restaurants. This 'park once, walk much' approach is far more efficient than driving a few blocks between each individual stop, saving you time and the frustration of finding parking.

During weekday rush hours, typically from 7:00-9:00 AM and 4:00-6:30 PM, you should expect significant congestion on all major Nashville interstates. The downtown loop where I-40, I-24, and I-65 converge is a notorious bottleneck, and traffic can slow to a crawl. Drivers are often aggressive during these times, so it's important to drive defensively and allow for extra following distance. If possible, plan your travel to avoid these peak periods or use a navigation app with real-time traffic data to find alternate surface street routes.

For an easy grocery stop after leaving BNA, look for suburban-style shopping centers along Donelson Pike or Murfreesboro Pike, which are major roads near the airport. These plazas typically feature large, open parking lots that are easy to navigate with a rental car you're still getting used to. They offer straightforward entry and exit points, allowing you to quickly get your essentials and merge back onto the main road or interstate without dealing with the complexities of downtown parking garages or tight street parking.

When navigating downtown Nashville's one-way streets, it's crucial to use a GPS and pay close attention to its turn-by-turn directions. Look well ahead for street signs and be prepared for your turn several blocks in advance, as last-minute lane changes can be difficult in heavy traffic. Also, be highly aware of pedestrians, scooters, and pedal taverns, which are common in the downtown core and can cause sudden stops. Staying in the correct lane early is the best way to ensure you don't miss your turn and have to circle around.

The drive to historic Franklin is quite simple, as it's a straight shot south from Nashville on I-65. The trip usually takes about 30-40 minutes without traffic. To avoid the worst of the northbound return traffic, plan to leave Franklin either before 3:30 PM or after 6:30 PM on a weekday. This helps you miss the peak commuter rush heading back into Nashville. A late afternoon departure from Franklin allows you to enjoy a leisurely dinner there before cruising back to the city with much lighter traffic.

A day trip to Lynchburg requires some planning, as the drive is about 90 minutes each way, mostly on scenic two-lane highways. It's important to start with a full tank of gas, as service stations become less frequent the further you get from the main interstate. Cell service can also be spotty in some of the more rural areas, so it's a good idea to download your route map for offline use. Pack some snacks and water for the drive, as dining options are concentrated in the small town of Lynchburg itself.

For a comfortable day trip to Mammoth Cave National Park, plan to leave Nashville early in the morning, around 7:30 or 8:00 AM. The drive is about 90 minutes north on I-65, and an early start ensures you arrive in time for a morning or early afternoon cave tour. To avoid driving back late at night, aim to leave the park by 4:00 or 5:00 PM. This schedule gets you back to Nashville well before dark and allows for a relaxed dinner in the city after your day of exploration.

The drive from Nashville to Chattanooga is approximately two hours via I-24 East. To avoid arriving during Chattanooga's afternoon rush hour, it's best to plan your departure from Nashville so that you arrive before 3:00 PM. A mid-morning departure, around 10:00 AM, is often ideal. This timing allows you to miss Nashville's morning traffic and get settled in Chattanooga before the evening commute begins, making for a much smoother and more pleasant arrival experience.

The drive to Knoxville is about three hours east on I-40. A great place to stop for a break is the city of Cookeville, located roughly at the halfway point. It offers easy access to gas stations, restaurants, and several beautiful state parks like Cummins Falls or Burgess Falls just a short detour off the interstate. Stopping in Cookeville breaks up the drive nicely and allows you to stretch your legs in a scenic setting before continuing on your journey to Knoxville.

If you're leaving Nashville in the late afternoon or evening and heading towards the Smoky Mountains, a practical strategy is to book a hotel for the first night in Knoxville. This breaks the roughly four-hour drive into a manageable first leg, preventing you from having to navigate the winding mountain roads near Gatlinburg in the dark. You can enjoy a relaxed dinner in Knoxville and then complete the final, more scenic portion of your drive the next morning when you're refreshed and can appreciate the views.

When driving to Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, be aware that the main Parkway connecting the towns can become extremely congested, especially on weekends, holidays, and during the summer. A drive that looks like 15 minutes on a map can easily take over an hour. To mitigate this, use the local backroads and bypasses whenever possible, such as the Gatlinburg Bypass. Planning your travel between the towns for early in the morning or later in the evening can also help you avoid the worst of the gridlock.

To enjoy the national park with less traffic hassle, consider staying in Townsend or Wears Valley instead of Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. Known as the 'Peaceful Side of the Smokies,' Townsend offers direct access to the park via Little River Road and Cades Cove, bypassing the main tourist strips. Wears Valley provides a scenic, less-traveled route into the park as well. These locations allow for a quieter home base while still keeping the park's main attractions within a reasonable driving distance.

The drive from Nashville to Memphis is a straight shot of about three hours west on I-40. There are well-maintained rest areas and numerous towns with gas and food options directly off the interstate, so planning breaks is easy. To time your arrival, try to reach the Memphis area before 3:30 PM to avoid its afternoon rush hour, which can be heavy on the I-240 loop. The drive is mostly through rural West Tennessee, so it's a good idea to ensure you have a good playlist or podcast ready for the journey.

When exploring Tennessee's beautiful backroads, be prepared for narrow, winding lanes and potentially limited cell service. It is essential to download maps of the area to your phone for offline use before you leave a major town. Always start with a full tank of gas, as stations can be few and far between. Be mindful of wildlife, especially around dawn and dusk, and drive at a cautious speed as sightlines can be short. These roads offer incredible scenery, but they require more attention than interstate driving.

When managing a lot of gear at BNA, the best strategy is to use a luggage cart, which are readily available in the baggage claim area. Consolidate all your suitcases and the stroller onto one or two carts. This keeps your belongings contained and makes it much easier to navigate through the terminal to the ground transportation and shuttle areas. Find a spot slightly out of the main foot-traffic path to wait for your shuttle, keeping walkways clear for other travelers.

A frequent error is underestimating Nashville's morning traffic, which can significantly delay your arrival at the airport. Another common mistake is forgetting to refuel the vehicle nearby, leading to a last-minute search for a gas station. Travelers also sometimes forget to budget time for the shuttle ride from the rental facility back to the terminal. Finally, failing to do a thorough last-minute check for personal items like phones, sunglasses, or chargers is a mistake that can cause significant stress right before a flight.

To ensure you don't miss the rental car return entrance, program your GPS specifically for the 'BNA Rental Car Return' rather than just the airport's main address. As you approach the airport on I-40, move into the right-hand lanes early and pay close attention to the overhead signs. The signage for rental car returns is distinct from the signs for departures or arrivals. Following these specific signs is the most reliable way to navigate directly to the correct entrance, even in confusing traffic.

For an early morning flight, a safe plan is to arrive at the rental car return facility at least two and a half to three hours before your flight's departure time. This schedule allows about 30 minutes for the car return process and the shuttle ride to the terminal. The remaining two hours provide a comfortable buffer for airline check-in, navigating through security, and walking to your gate. Building in this extra time is the key to a calm and stress-free departure day.

The area along Donelson Pike, just north of the main airport entrance, is your best bet for a quick stop before returning your car. This road is lined with numerous gas stations, convenience stores, and fast-food restaurants that are easily accessible. You can refuel your vehicle, grab a coffee or snack, and be back on the road to the rental return facility within minutes. It's a convenient and low-stress option for those last-minute needs before a flight.

During heavy rain in Nashville, it's crucial to reduce your speed and increase your following distance, as roads can become slick. Be particularly cautious on the interstate interchanges, as water can pool in low-lying areas. Lane markings on some older sections of highway can be difficult to see when wet, so pay extra attention to the flow of traffic and road signs. Using your headlights is essential for visibility, and it's wise to avoid using cruise control in these conditions for better vehicle control.

Even when Nashville is clear, a winter road trip can be affected by conditions in other parts of the state. Higher elevations, such as the Cumberland Plateau on the way to Knoxville or the Smoky Mountains, can have ice and snow when the city has none. Bridges and overpasses freeze before other road surfaces, so exercise caution even on seemingly clear days. Always check the weather forecast for your destination, not just your starting point, before heading out on a longer drive.

The most secure way to handle luggage is to drop it off at your hotel before you begin sightseeing, even if it's before your official check-in time. Most hotels will happily store your bags for you. If that's not an option, never leave luggage or valuables visible inside your parked car. Always place items in the trunk before you arrive at your parking spot. Choosing a well-lit, attended parking garage over street parking can also add an extra layer of security.

When changing hotels, the best approach is to call the new hotel ahead of time to ask about their process for luggage drop-off. Use the designated short-term loading zone, and be efficient by having your bags ready to go. If you are traveling with another person, one can run the bags to the bell stand while the driver stays with the car. This avoids leaving the vehicle unattended in a loading zone, which can lead to tickets or being asked to move during a busy check-in period.