Whether you’re planning to enjoy a bite of deep dish pizza, go on a scenic hike or listen to a live musical performance, this Chicago to Nashville road trip has something that will appeal to your interests.
Known for its unique architecture, delicious local delicacies, and scenic lakefront, Chicago truly is one of a kind. Before you arrive in Nashville, which is known as the capital of country music, we have a few interesting towns and attractions for you to visit. Including a mixture of bustling cities and lush green spaces, our Chicago to Nashville road trip is great for any type of traveler, particularly if you enjoy good food and music.
Stops
1. Chicago
2. Indianapolis, IN
3. Brown County State Park
4. Louisville, KY
5. Bowling Green, KY
6. Nashville, TN
Info at a glance
- 5-7 day trip
- Type of route: City
- 6 stops along the route
- 512 miles of driving
Highlights
- Visit some famous attractions in the Windy City.
- Attend a sporting event in Indianapolis.
- Go on a scenic hike in Brown County State Park.
- Explore the historic downtown of Bowling Green.
- Enjoy a live musical performance in Nashville.
Getting to the start
This road trip starts in Chicago, Illinois. If you’ll be arriving from a different part of the country or world for your Chicago to Nashville road trip, there are two airports that you can fly into: O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. If you live in the region, there are several roads that can be used to enter Chicago, such as I-90 and I-294.
When to Visit
A Chicago to Nashville road trip is fun not matter the time of year, but the months of May to October are typically ideal, as you can avoid snowy weather. It tends to be warm in the summer, so make sure to pack light clothes. If you travel during the winter, layers are best. Sunblock and sturdy walking shoes are a must, whether you will be sightseeing or decide to embark on a scenic hike.
Driving tips
This Chicago to Nashville road trip takes you through the states of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. You can expect to encounter some toll roads along the way. Each of these states has similar speed limits of about 65 miles per hour on interstate highways and 55 mph on highways.
What to know about the route
This Chicago to Nashville road trip spans about 470 miles, for a total driving time of around 7 hours and 45 minutes. The route lets you experience two unique cities, as well as a selection of charming stops in between. You will start in Chicago and then take I-65 S to the next destination of Indianapolis, Indiana. From there, you will continue to the town of Louisville, Kentucky. After Louisville, your next destination is Brown County State Park, which can also be reached via I-65 S. To go from Brown County State Park to Bowling Green, you can stay on I-65 S. If you continue on this interstate, you will reach the last stop on the road trip, which is Nashville. An SUV can be a convenient car rental for this trip, as it will provide you with plenty of space for any luggage and recreational equipment that you may want to bring along with you.
Chicago
With its one-of-a-kind architecture, interesting museums and diverse culture, Chicago is a city unlike any other. To make sure that you have enough time to visit all of the different attractions and sights on your to-do list, it’s best to dedicate one or two days to visit this city.
Points of interest
For a unique experience, such as standing inside of a tornado or going deep into a coal mine, head to the Museum of Science and Industry. If you would like to learn more about this city’s rich history, pay a visit to the Chicago History Museum. Chicago is also home to the Ledge, an enclosed glass box on the Skydeck of the Willis Tower.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
Chicago is famous for its deep dish pizza, which you can order at many different restaurants, including Pequod’s Pizza and Bartoli’s Pizzeria. The city also has many unique cocktail bars, like the Violet Hour and Aviary. For lodging, you can choose from a variety of swanky hotels, including the 21c Museum Hotel Chicago and the Ambassador Chicago.
Sixt Insider Tip
Chicago has its own Broadway industry, so consider seeing a performance during your visit. There are several beautiful and unique theaters for you to choose from, including the James M. Nederlander Theatre and the Cadillac Palace Theatre. You can either buy your tickets in advance or try to purchase them from a ticket office the day of the performance.
From Chicago to Indianapolis (183 miles)
To head to your next destination, Indianapolis, you will take I-65 S. If you would like to stop along the way to fill up your tank, stretch your legs, or grab a bite to eat, you can do so in a few different cities, such as Lafayette, Indiana. With its vibrant community and beautiful green spaces, Lafayette is a charming place to explore.
Indianapolis, IN
A bustling city that has several sports teams and many interesting museums, Indianapolis is a great place to visit for a day or two during your trip. Many of the city’s attractions can be conveniently found downtown, making it a great area to explore and walk around for a few hours.
Points of interest
If you’ll be visiting the area with your family, you can always head to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, which is famous for its interesting interactive exhibits. There is also The Indianapolis Museum of Art, which is home to more than 54,000 pieces of artwork from all over the world.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
Indianapolis is a great place to eat some American comfort food, including items like fried pickles, tenderloin sandwiches and milkshakes, which you can grab from restaurants such as The Garage at Bottleworks. It also has many craft breweries, including Black Acre Brewing Co. For lodging, choose a charming hotel such as the Hotel Indy.
Sixt Insider Tip
The city has more than 10 professional sports teams, like the Indianapolis Colts and the Indianapolis Racers. Make sure to check out the events calendar for the period that you will be staying in the city, as you may be able to head to a sporting event during your trip, depending on what season it is.
From Indianapolis to Brown County State Park (57 miles)
You will hop on I-65 S to head to your next destination, Brown County State Park. Along the way, there are small cities to explore, like Columbus and Seymour. Both of these towns are fun to walk around for an hour or two, giving you a break from being cooped up in a car.
Brown County State Park
One of the largest state parks in not just Indiana but also the United States, Brown County State Park spans across more than 15,000 acres. It’s a scenic green space that is the perfect location to go on a nice hike, do some bike riding or try to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife.
Sixt Insider Tip
If you enjoy horseback riding, keep in mind that you can do so within Brown County State Park. Guided trail rides are offered by professional riders, or you can always take a pony ride at the Saddle Barn. There are over 70 miles of trails that are accessible by horse, providing many scenic choices.
From Brown County State Park to Louisville (85 miles)
Louisville, Kentucky, is your next stop, and it can be reached by continuing on I-65 S. Before reaching this destination, there are a few different places that you can choose to stop, such as Seymour, where you can grab a bite to eat and take a break from driving.
Louisville, KY
Louisville is a diverse city that is known for its unique and rich history, delicious southern food and impressive architecture. It’s a great spot to stretch your legs for a few hours and wander around downtown to visit some of the area’s most popular attractions before eating at a local restaurant.
Points of interest
If you’re a baseball fan, you won’t want to miss out on visiting the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, which will teach you the history of the iconic baseball bat. Louisville is also home to Churchill Downs, which is one of the most famous horse racing tracks in the country.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
The city is famous for traditional Southern food, which you can taste at a few popular local restaurants, such as Doc Crow’s Southern Smokehouse & Raw Bar. It’s also a great area to try out craft beer, and Against the Grain is popular. For lodging, there are a few cozy hotels that you can choose from, including the Brown Hotel.
Sixt Insider Tip
You will find that there are many spas and salons in the city, making it a great place to treat yourself to some pampering. If you’re interested in having a massage, facial or another similar treatment, consider making an appointment at a spa such as Indulge The Spa, the Louisville Salt Cave or Xhale Salon & Spa.
From Louisville to Bowling Green (122 miles)
To reach your next destination of Bowling Green, you will hop back on I-65 S. Along the way, you may want to stop somewhere such as the Bernheim Arboretum or Mammoth Cave, a beautiful area that is popular amongst avid hikers. The Mammoth Cave Visitor Hangout Picnic Area is a great place to enjoy a snack.
Bowling Green, KY
A fun city filled with historic neighborhoods and several national museums; Bowling Green is a must-visit during your road trip from Chicago to Nashville. Between its quirky attractions and thriving craft brewery scene, you’ll never run out of things to see or do while here, no matter what your interests are.
Points of interest
Car enthusiasts will want to make sure that they dedicate a few hours to the National Corvette Museum, which focuses on this model that has been in production since the early 1950s. There is also the Lost River Cave, which is an interesting attraction that you can visit and take a boat ride through.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
Bowling Green specializes in traditional American food, so make sure to try some of this at one of the several popular restaurants, like 6.4.3 Sports Bar & Grill. It’s also a great place to enjoy a cold craft beer, like at Bowling Green Beer Works. There are many charming hotels and bed and breakfasts, including the Bryce Inn.
Sixt Insider Tip
The city often hosts fun annual events and festivals, so make sure to check out the official events calendar to see if anything will be taking place during your time in the area. Some examples of events that take place include football games and car shows, as well as art exhibits.
From Bowling Green to Nashville (65 miles)
Your next stop, Nashville, is also the last stop on the road trip. While driving along I-65 S to this city, you can always choose to explore the quaint town of Whitehouse, which is almost exactly halfway between the two locations. If you need to refuel, grab some snacks, or just want to wander around.
Nashville, TN
Famous for being the capital of country music, Nashville is a vibrant city that is filled with bustling saloons, charming music venues and interesting museums that will keep you entertained for hours. You will want to make sure that you have a day or two in order to fully explore this one-of-a-kind city.
Points of interest
A trip to this city wouldn’t be complete without going to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which is known for being one of the largest museums in the world. You can also spend some time at the Grand Ole Opry, where you may be lucky enough to see a live performance.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
Nashville is best known for its Southern comfort food, and there are many popular restaurants for you to try out, like the Stillery and Etch. If you want to grab a cold beer, go to one of the city’s many breweries, such as Bearded Iris Brewing. For lodging, consider staying at a hotel such as the Hutton Hotel.
Sixt Insider Tip
If you would like to see a live show during your stay in Nashville, you don’t necessarily need to purchase tickets to a concert. Many of the bars and saloons in the city will have music during the evenings, which is a great way to listen to local voices in a relaxing setting without having to break the bank.
