Road Trips from Nashville, TN
Nashville offers a variety of escape routes, from short hops to longer hauls. You've got quick, 1-2 hour drives to places like Brentwood Estates, with mostly highway driving. For a bit more time, consider destinations around 1.5 hours away that offer a mix of highway and surface roads, often with access to Stones River National Battlefield. If you're looking to go further, options extend to over 5 hours, like Bristol, which also offers access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The terrain options are varied, from mostly flat to mixed, and many destinations include park access.
Total Routes
36
Shortest
0.2h
With Parks Nearby
28
Under 2 hours
12 total in this range
Shelbyville, TN
1h 12m57.8 mi one way
This 1.2-hour drive to Shelbyville offers a mixed terrain route with a high drive score of 9. It provides access to Stones River National Battlefield, making it a good option if you want a bit of history on your trip. It's a shorter drive than Lynchburg but offers a similar experience.
Lynchburg, TN
1h 35m73.6 mi one way
A 1.6-hour drive, this route to Lynchburg features a mixed highway and surface road profile and a strong drive score of 9. Like Shelbyville, it offers access to Stones River National Battlefield. This option is slightly longer than the drive to Shelbyville.
Brentwood Estates, TN
19m11.8 mi one way
This is the closest option at just 0.3 hours and 11.8 miles. It's a highway-focused drive with a drive score of 8. While short, it still includes access to Stones River National Battlefield, making it a convenient getaway.
Smithville, TN
1h 29m65.2 mi one way
Smithville is a 1.5-hour drive with a drive score of 9. The terrain is mostly flat. While this pick doesn't have dedicated parks, Stones River National Battlefield is still nearby. It's a longer drive than Brentwood but offers a different terrain.
Unionville, TN
1h 7m47.1 mi one way
At 1.1 hours and 47.1 miles, Unionville offers a mixed drive with a score of 8. It provides access to Stones River National Battlefield. This is a moderate distance, shorter than Lynchburg but longer than Brentwood.
Full-day getaway
19 total in this range
Lakesite, TN
3h 1m137 mi one way
This 3-hour drive takes you to Lakesite, featuring a mixed terrain and a drive score of 9. It includes access to Stones River National Battlefield. This is one of the longer options, suitable for a more extended day trip.
Spencer, TN
2h 5m96.7 mi one way
Spencer is a 2.1-hour drive with a mixed highway and surface profile and a drive score of 9. It offers access to Stones River National Battlefield. This is a good mid-range distance for a day trip, longer than Unionville.
Grimsley, TN
2h 18m115.8 mi one way
This 2.3-hour drive to Grimsley is primarily highway, with a high drive score of 9. It provides access to Stones River National Battlefield. It's a solid option if you prefer more highway driving on a longer trip.
Adamsville, TN
2h 44m136.5 mi one way
Adamsville is a 2.7-hour drive on a highway-focused route with a drive score of 8. It includes access to Stones River National Battlefield. This is one of the further destinations, offering a longer drive than Grimsley.
Walden, TN
2h 53m144.7 mi one way
Walden is a 2.9-hour drive on a highway-focused route with a drive score of 8. It offers access to Stones River National Battlefield. Similar in length to Adamsville, this route provides another highway-centric option.
Weekend trip
Surgoinsville, TN
4h 50m255.1 mi one way
This 4.8-hour drive to Surgoinsville is mostly highway with a drive score of 9. It offers access to both Stones River National Battlefield and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, making it a destination for those seeking multiple park experiences.
Bristol, TN
5h 23m292 mi one way
Bristol is the longest drive at 5.4 hours, primarily highway with a drive score of 8. It includes access to Stones River National Battlefield and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offering significant park exploration opportunities.
Johnson City, TN
5h 16m284.7 mi one way
Central, TN
5h 23m287.9 mi one way
Colonial Heights, TN
5h 2m273.3 mi one way
Browse by Mood
Surgoinsville, TN
4h 50m255.1 mi one way
Shelbyville, TN
1h 12m57.8 mi one way
Lakesite, TN
3h 1m137 mi one way
Spencer, TN
2h 5m96.7 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring offers access to Stones River National Battlefield on many of these drives, with varied terrain suitable for pleasant outings.
Summer
Summer drives with park access like Stones River National Battlefield are available, with routes offering mixed or highway-focused profiles.
Fall
Fall colors can be enjoyed on the longer drives, with options like Surgoinsville and Bristol providing access to significant national parks.
Winter
Winter travel is feasible on the highway-focused routes, with many still providing access to Stones River National Battlefield.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Nashville, TN city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.