Car Rental Nashville

 

Rent a car in Nashville for an easy way to get around Music City. Whether you’re heading to Tennessee’s capital on a country music pilgrimage or to experience East Nashville’s artisan scene, Nashville car rental is a stress-free way to explore the soul of these southern streets. 

While the city is renowned as the home of country music, there’s far more to Nashville than just cowboy hats and honkytonks. Its city park system spans more than 12,000 acres, while its distinct neighborhoods are packed with star-studded restaurants and vibrant street murals.

Pick up your rental car in Nashville wherever you arrive, with Hertz locations near various Marriot hotels across the city and at Nashville Metro Airport.

Hop in an all-American muscle car for the true country feel, pack all your gear into a spacious SUV or enjoy a family-friendly hatchback – when you rent a car in Nashville with Hertz the choice is yours. 

Reserve your Nashville car rental to follow in the footsteps of some of America’s most influential musical icons.

Nashville Locations

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Map data ©2026 Google
Map data ©2026 Google

A Quick Guide to Nashville

Grand Ole Opry

Country music’s most famous stage, the Grand Ole Opry started as a simple radio broadcast in 1925 and evolved into an iconic music venue. Pull off the SR 155 and park your Nashville rental car for free at the venue. Even if there’s not a show on, book onto a daytime backstage tour and hear tales of the legends who have performed here.

The Parthenon

‘Athens of the South’ is another Nashville nickname. While it stems from the city’s many higher education institutions, it’s symbolized best by the full-scale replica of the Greek Parthenon – including a 42-foot statue of Athena when you step inside. It sits in the center of Centennial Park and houses a permanent art collection of 63 paintings by 19th and 20th-century American artists, alongside temporary exhibits.

Country Music Hall of Fame

The Country Music Hall of Fame combines artifacts and exhibitions spanning the genre and the role Nashville played in its rise. Marvel at Elvis’ solid gold Cadillac, then try to find your favorite album or single on the huge wall covered by every gold and platinum-selling country music record. If you’ve time, reserve a spot on the Studio B tour that departs from here – taking you around the landmark studio where more than 35,000 songs were recorded by Dolly Parton, Roy Orbison and more.

Shelby Bottoms Nature Center and Greenway

Five miles and about a 15-minute drive east of Downtown along Cumberland River, Shelby Bottoms is the perfect place for some fresh air. Blow off some steam as you wander through the 950-acre greenway or rent a bike to cycle around. In the nature center, learn about the local environment, urban community gardening, and swing around on the nature play area.   

Arnold’s Country Kitchen

Meat-and-three is a Nashville culinary staple – choose one meat and three ‘vegetable’ sides (including mac and cheese). Arnold’s does this to perfection, shown by the line of waiting patrons usually winding round the block. Its lunchtime service and daily-changing menu attract visitors from far and wide. Plate up with fried chicken, blackened trout and country-fried steak, paired with turnip greens, creamed corn, candied yams and more.

The Southern V

Dining out isn’t all meat-and-three, Nashville has a growing vegetarian and vegan scene. The Southern V serves traditional Southern-style comfort food that’s 100% plant based, in the Buchanan Street business district (about two miles north of Downtown). Dishes include fried seitan and waffles, mushroom Swiss burgers, and loaded BBQ jackfruit nachos.

Union Station Hotel

This 19th-century rail station transformed into an elegant hotel after nearly 100 years of welcoming trains into the city. Today, you can enjoy a sophisticated stay in the historic building, with 125 decorated guest rooms each including marble bathrooms, plush bathrobes, and custom bedding. Situated in the heart of Downtown, it’s just a few blocks from the Country Music Hall of Fame.     

The Hermitage Hotel

Blending old-world charm since its opening in 1910, with modern day conveniences, Hermitage Hotel is full of character. Classic Italian and French-influenced architecture (marble columns, artwork) and comfortable four-poster beds offer a regal feel. With a spa, fitness center, restaurant, and incredible service, you’ll have everything you need from the moment you check in.  

Driving In and Around Nashville

  • On-street metered parking is available in Downtown Nashville. Generally, it’s enforced between 8am and 6pm from Monday to Saturday – meaning there’s free parking all-day Sunday and after 6pm during the week for your Nashville rental car (though check local signs to be safe).
  • There are around ten Tennessee Government parking lots in Downtown Nashville. Most offer free parking on weekends and outside of normal business hours in the week.
  • Charges and time limits vary at many private lots and garages in central Nashville. There are around 1,000 spaces at 5th Avenue of the Arts Garage (37219), room for about 1,300 vehicles at Library Garage (37219), and 400 spaces at One Nashville Place Garage (37201).
  • Interstate 24 (I-24) enters Nashville from the north west and runs through the city center, crossing the Cumberland River and heading south-east down to the state border.
  • Interstate 40 (I-40) runs from the west of Nashville, passing the Parthenon through Downtown and going east, just north of Nashville International Airport and all the way to Knoxville.
  • Interstate 65 (I-65) is a north-south interstate that goes through the heart of Nashville and connects the city with Birmingham, Alabama and Louisville, Kentucky in its neighboring states.
  • Tennessee State Route 155 (SR 155) is a 30-mile beltway circling central Nashville, easily accessible for the airport and Grand Ole Opry.  

Morning rush hour in Nashville is between 7am and 9am. In the afternoon, the roads get busy from 4pm to 6pm during the week. When you rent a car in Nashville, make sure to plan your trips to avoid driving down the interstates during these hours for a more relaxing drive.

Nashville to Memphis

The journey from Nashville to Memphis is 212 miles. Hop in your Nashville rental car and head west along the I-40 and reach the home of the blues on the Tennessee border in just over three hours.

 

Nashville to Atlanta

The drive from Nashville to Atlanta is 248 miles and can take around four hours in your Nashville rental car. Follow the I-24 south, changing onto the I75 as you enter Georgia until you reach the state capital.

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