Tennessee is the Volunteer State, a land where Appalachian mountain mist meets Mississippi Delta soul. From the neon honky-tonks of Nashville and the legendary blues clubs of Beale Street to the ancient hollows of the Great Smoky Mountains and the white-water rivers of the Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee delivers an extraordinary range of experiences. Home to more live music per capita than almost any state, birthplace of country, blues, and rock-and-roll, and blessed with stunning natural landscapes, Tennessee is a destination that rewards every type of traveler.
Tennessee is a long, narrow state stretching 440 miles east to west. A rental car is the most practical transport option for exploring beyond Nashville and Memphis. Three major airports serve the state. Interstate highways I-40 (east-west spine), I-65 (north-south through Nashville), I-24 (Nashville to Chattanooga), and I-75 (Knoxville to Chattanooga) connect major cities. Public transit exists only within Nashville (WeGo) and Chattanooga (CARTA). Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) operates in all major cities.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download Google Maps offline for the Smoky Mountains before entering — cell service is unreliable on mountain roads
Nashville's downtown parking fills completely during major events; use the LaFayette Street garage (113 Lea Ave) as a backup
The Pigeon Forge Fun Time Trolley ($0.50–2 USD) runs the entire Pigeon Forge strip from Sevierville to Gatlinburg — useful for reaching Dollywood without car
Chattanooga's free electric shuttle covers the entire riverfront and downtown area — use it freely
Interstate I-40 through the Smoky Mountains (Asheville, NC direction) has frequent truck congestion and steep grades; allow extra time