Nashville driving guide

Get up to speed with everything you need to know about driving in the Music City before you set off. Whether you’re in Tennessee for business or pleasure, make driving a breeze and brush up on the state’s driving rules before you go.

Nashville boasts an enviable music line-up and has plenty of fun activities to get into. Catch some live music at the Grand Ole Opry, enjoy the nightlife on Broadway or get your culture fix at the Johnny Cash Museum.

From Nashville speed limits to toll roads, we’ve researched the nitty gritty so you don’t have to. Just sit back and enjoy everything the capital of Tennessee has to offer.

In this guide:

• Driving rules in Nashville
• Speed limits in Nashville
• Toll roads in and around Nashville
• Nashville’s driving license requirements
• Parking in Nashville
• Electric car charging in Nashville
• Quick driving tips for Nashville
• Frequently asked questions

Driving rules in Nashville

Here are some of the key rules to remember when driving in Nashville:

• Right of way – at a four-way stop, if two vehicles arrive at the intersection at the same time, the car on the right has priority.
• Bike lanes – Nashville has an increasing number of bike lanes, so avoid driving in bike lanes at all times.
• Headlights – in Tennessee, you need to turn on your headlights whenever it's dark or visibility is low. This includes 30 minutes before sunrise and after sunset, as well as in bad weather conditions.
• Cell phone use – Tennessee has banned all cell phone use while driving. You could be subjected to a $200 fine if caught using one. But you can use earpieces, headphones, smartwatches and dashboard mounts for voice-based communication.

Speed limits in Nashville

Get up to speed with the speed limits in Nashville to ensure you don’t get caught out when driving in the Music City. Here are the Nashville speed limits to be aware of:

Toll roads in and around Nashville

Currently, there are no toll roads across Tennessee, meaning there are no Nashville toll roads. You can travel freely across The Volunteer State without worrying about missing a toll.

Nashville’s driving license requirements

To drive in Tennessee, you need to hold a valid license. You can use a foreign driving license in Tennessee for under 30 days. If you’re planning to stay longer than this, you will need to apply for a Tennessee driver’s license in the first 30 days of your arrival.

The minimum age you can rent a car with Hertz is 20 years. For more information about specific driving license requirements in Nashville, check out our state driving guide.

Parking in Nashville

If you’re looking for parking in Nashville, check out some convenient options below:

Bridgestone Arena

Located at the Bridgestone Arena, catch a game or use it as a base to explore the Music City Center or Music City Walk of Fame Park.

Location: 226 6th Ave South Nashville, TN 37203

Cost: $5 an hour or $15 flat rate until 3 am.

How to pay: Pay for your parking with the Premier Parking App, by card or with cash. 

Music Center parking

Located next to Bridgestone Arena, this covered parking garage is the largest of its kind in downtown Nashville.

Location: 701 Demonbreun Street, Nashville, TN 37203

Cost: $10 for up 5 hours, $15 between 5 to 9 hours, $20 between 9 and 12 and $25 between 12 and 18. It also costs $35 for the day or overnight.

How to pay: The fully automated system accepts debit and credit cards when you exit.

Metro Courthouse / Public Square Garage

Close to dining and nightlife options, this parking is a stone’s throw away from the Nashville Public Square Park and the Cumberland River.

Location: 101 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37201

Cost: $8 per hour or $6 after 6pm and on the weekends. It costs $20 for the day.

How to pay: Pay by cash or card when you exit.

Street parking in Nashville

Good news if you’re looking to explore downtown Nashville, there are about 1,000 metered parking spaces where you can find short-term inexpensive parking options.

Metered parking is free after 6 pm Monday to Saturday and all day on Sundays and holidays. Look out for signs with any parking restrictions during peak times.

Nashville parking app

You can use the ParkMobile App to help with your parking needs in Nashville. You can reserve your parking space in downtown Nashville, pay for parking on the go and receive alerts when your parking is about to expire.

Electric car charging in Nashville

Nashville is an EV-friendly city with 906 public charging stations. Over 150 of these are free to use and the city has 114 DC Fast Chargers.

The transport sector is the largest contributor to Nashville’s greenhouse gas emissions, and so the city is committed to electrifying non-emergency Metro vehicles by 2050.

Quick driving tips for Nashville

Here are five things to remember when driving in Nashville:

• Always assume the speed limit to be 25 mph in residential areas unless it says otherwise.
• If no signs say otherwise, you are allowed to turn right at a red light.
• Check whether there are any major events on at the stadiums or in the city to avoid congestion on the roads.
• Pay attention to road signs on Interstates 65, 40 and 24 in and beyond the city, as the routes can change, overlap and split off.
• Give yourself extra time to get places when driving in Nashville in winter.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time of day to drive in Nashville?

The morning is typically the best time to drive in Nashville as traffic tends to pick up throughout the day. If you’re new to the city, try and avoid rush hour between 7 am and 9 am.

When is rush hour in Nashville?

Rush hour is usually in the mornings and evenings, 7 am to 9 am and between 4 pm and 6 pm. This is when you can expect the worst traffic jams in Nashville.

How much is a speeding ticket in Nashville?

In Tennessee, a speeding ticket will cost you anything from $40 to $150. The higher above the speed limit you’re driving, the greater the fine will be. You’re also subject to a point system and may receive one to eight points depending on the severity of your speeding. Check out our Tennessee state driving guide for more information.

Now that you’re up to speed with driving in Nashville and know the ins and outs of Nashville speed limits and toll roads, you can enjoy the Music City in style. 

Get ready for your trip to Nashville

Prepare for your adventure to Nashville with the help of Hertz. Get the low down on everything you need to know before you leave with our guides:

• Best hotels in Nashville
• Best things to do in Nashville
• Nashville’s Neighborhoods