Open Travel Guide
Day trips from Tennessee

Best Day Trips from Tennessee 2026

Tennessee's best escapes by distance: what's reachable before breakfast and back by dinner.

By Updated Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

Tennessee has 8+ day trips covered in this guide, led by Jack Daniel's Distillery (Lynchburg), Franklin Civil War & Downtown (from Nashville) and Mammoth Cave National Park (Kentucky). Each entry below includes the practical details — what it costs, when to go, and how to plan around it.

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.

Top day trips

Handpicked excursions within easy reach.

75 miles southeast of Nashville

Jack Daniel's Distillery (Lynchburg)

Car only via I-24 E and TN-55 S
21 miles south of Nashville

Franklin Civil War & Downtown (from Nashville)

Car via I-65 S; Uber/Lyft (~$35–50 USD one-way) from Nashville
105 miles north of Nashville

Mammoth Cave National Park (Kentucky)

Car only; no public transit. Reserve cave tours at recreation.gov well in advance ($15–55 USD per tour depending on type).
134 miles southeast of Nashville

Chattanooga from Nashville (1-Day)

Car via I-24 E. No direct public transit Nashville to Chattanooga. Greyhound bus from Nashville ($25–45 USD; 3–4 hours).
35 miles southeast of Knoxville

Gatlinburg & Great Smoky Mountains (from Knoxville)

Car via US-441 S from Knoxville; no public transit. Gatlinburg Trolley ($2/day pass) operates within town and to Sugarlands Visitor Center.
90 miles east of Nashville

Nashville Escape: Fall Creek Falls State Park

Car only; I-24 E to TN-111 N; call park at +1-423-881-5298 for cabin or camping reservations
80 miles south of Memphis

Memphis to Oxford, Mississippi (Literary Day Trip)

Car only; I-55 S to MS-6 W to MS-7 S. No public transit between Memphis and Oxford.
100 miles of Tennessee section from Nashville entry to Alabama border

Natchez Trace Parkway Scenic Drive

Car only; enter parkway at milepost 427 off US-100 south of Nashville. No fuel or food inside the parkway — fill tank and carry provisions before entering.

Day trip tips

Make the most of your excursions.

Tip

Start early — most popular day-trip destinations get crowded by mid-morning.

Tip

Check return transport times before you leave — missing the last train or bus can be costly.

Tip

Carry water, snacks, and layers — weather and food options can be limited at smaller destinations.

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