Chicago To Nashville Road Trip: Top 17 Tips

Traveling from Chicago to Nashville is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. The 442 miles of a road trip from Chicago to Nashville takes around 7 hours and 43 mins of driving without stops.

This article includes 17 top tips that turn your Nashville trip into an unforgettable journey. So if you’re looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from Chicago to Nashville, take your coffee and keep reading!

6 Best Hotels On The Way From Chicago To Nashville

On the way from Chicago to Nashville, you may want to stay at some points on the way. Here are the top six hotels on the Chicago – Nashville route!

1. Indianapolis Marriott East

Indianapolis Marriott East is one of the best hotels where you can stay on the road trip from Chicago to Nashville. Driving from Chicago to Indianapolis Marriott East might take around 3 and 18 mins. We stayed at Purdue University while touring the school. The rooms were immaculate, and towels were of appropriate quality. The breakfast area was also spotless and well-maintained. It is an excellent location for dining out, as many restaurants are nearby. Check the Indianapolis Marriott East, one of the best hotels in Indianapolis, Indiana, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.

2. Homewood Suites by Hilton Lafayette

Homewood Suites by Hilton Lafayette is another top hotel where you can choose to stay on the road trip to Nashville from Chicago. Located in Lafayette, Indiana, the hotel is 124 miles away from Chicago, and it would take 2 hours and 9 mins to drive. The hotel is very friendly and clean. There is also a small restaurant/bar in the hotel, which we did not have to leave to find anything. If you want to learn more about the Homewood Suites by Hilton Lafayette, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

3. Residence Inn Louisville East/Oxmoor

Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the Residence Inn Louisville East/Oxmoor. Residence Inn Louisville East/Oxmoor is located in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and it’s 308 miles away from Chicago. You can arrive there in 5 hours and 12 mins of non-stop driving. The hotel is spotless, and the rooms are comfortable. The breakfast is excellent, and the dinners are even better. However, the guest service that we received when we arrived was exceptional. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Residence Inn Louisville East/Oxmoor for more information.

4. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Elizabethtown

If you are taking the road trip from Chicago to Nashville, Louisville, Kentucky, it is must have a place you should visit. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Elizabethtown is one of the best hotels in town. It is La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Elizabethtown, 342 miles from Chicago, and it would take 5 hours and 45 mins to drive. I was so happy to find a pet-friendly hotel on our travels. The staff was super friendly, and check-in went quickly after traveling all day. The hotel was spotless, and it was close to lots of food options, as well as a nearby bookstore. If you need more info about the price and availability of La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Elizabethtown, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.

5. Best Western Plus Nashville Airport Hotel

Our next hotel is Best Western Plus Nashville Airport Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee. It will take 7 hours, and 47 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from Chicago. The hotel was immaculate and conveniently located near the airport. There is also complimentary breakfast in the mornings, which is perfect for guests. Check the Best Western Plus Nashville Airport Hotel on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Best Western Plus Nashville Airport Hotel for reviews, prices, and availability.

6. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Bowling Green

Another hotel you can accommodate on the road trip from Chicago to Nashville is La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Bowling Green. It’s possible to arrive at this hotel in Bowling Green, Kentucky, within 6 hours and 53 mins drive from Chicago. The economy hotel market is becoming more expensive, with this particular one being clean and comfortable, with good towels and beds as well as hot water. However, it does lack a breakfast that goes until 9 am. Before making the reservation, we suggest you read the latest reviews on TripAdvisor and Booking.com.

In this part, we explained six different hotels you can stay at on the road trip from Chicago to Nashville. You can pick one of them that suits your taste. Don’t forget to share your experience by writing a comment to this post. It will help people who will take the same Chicago to Nashville route.

Now, it’s time to discover the best restaurants from Chicago to Nashville. We have six restaurant recommendations worth your attention.

6 Best Restaurants On The Way To Nashville From Chicago

Some restaurants will please you on your Chicago to Nashville road trip if dining is a pleasure. In this section, we list the six different restaurants to dine at on the road trip from Chicago to Nashville. Stay hungry and enjoy!

1. High Velocity, Indianapolis

We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on the road trip from Chicago to Nashville with High Velocity, Indianapolis. High Velocity, Indianapolis is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is 183 miles from Chicago. It would take 3 hours 12 mins of driving. This is a great dinner. I ordered the Drew Brees special, which came with the chicken fried steak. The service and the food were excellent—especially the steak. I enjoyed the atmosphere of the inside dining and outdoor seating areas. If you’re ever in West Lafayette, you have to try this place out! For more information about High Velocity, Indianapolis, you can visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of High Velocity, Indianapolis.

2. Triple XXX Family Restaurant, West Lafayette

Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Nashville from Chicago is Triple XXX Family Restaurant, West Lafayette. Located in Lafayette, Indiana, Triple XXX Family Restaurant, West Lafayette, is 123 miles from Chicago and would take 2 hours and 11 mins to drive. The waitress was very accommodating with allergy issues, and the service was excellent. The food was delicious and came out quickly. If you want to learn more about Triple XXX Family Restaurant, West Lafayette, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.

3. Back Home Restaurant, Elizabethtown

Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is Back Home Restaurant, Elizabethtown. It will take 5 hours and 48 mins of car drive to take 343 miles from Chicago to Back Home Restaurant, Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown, Kentucky. We had a great time at Sunday brunch at this cafe. We were seated in a separate dining room adjacent to the main dining area, and the staff was always attentive to our needs, which made it easy to enjoy our meal. For more information, you can check Back Home Restaurant, Elizabethtown, on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.

4. J Graham’s Cafe

J Graham’s Cafe deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Louisville, Kentucky. My friend had chicken fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Everything was fantastic! It was clear that all of the food on our plates was homemade, and the waitress gave us great recommendations for additional items to try. J Graham’s Cafe is 302 miles from Chicago, and it would take 5 hours and 6 mins of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about J Graham’s Cafe, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.

5. Monell’s Dining & Catering

If you enjoy dining, Monell’s Dining & Catering would be an excellent choice in Nashville, Tennessee. It’s 441 miles from Chicago and would take 7 hours and 40 mins of car driving. We chose to eat at Monell’s Manor based on a recommendation from a friend. If you enjoy southern-style cooking, this is the place for you. The historic building and delicious food made our experience terrific. If you want to learn more about Monell’s Dining & Catering, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.

6. El Maguey Mexican Restaurant, Bowling Green

Another restaurant we recommend you visit on the road trip from Chicago to Nashville is El Maguey Mexican Restaurant, Bowling Green, Bowling Green, Kentucky. It will take 6 hours and 53 mins of driving to reach El Maguey Mexican Restaurant, Bowling Green, from Chicago. El Maguey was a great experience all around. Our drinks arrived in carafes, and we were surprised we had to use long straws for drinking from them. The menu is extensive; lots of Mexican and Southwest dishes are offered. We started with the shrimp cocktail, which was part of ceviche and traditional. It was a generous portion of shrimp, and the other dishes we ordered were equally delicious – especially the tacos, arroz con pollo, and spicy seafood fiesta dish. For more information about El Maguey Mexican Restaurant, Bowling Green, you can check TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of the restaurant.

This section lists our six restaurant recommendations for you on your road trip from Chicago to Nashville. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 442 miles journey into a feast of taste. Of course, you can choose a suitable restaurant from the list according to your preference. Remember, like you, people planning a Nashville road trip need your opinion. Therefore, we kindly ask you to share your experience with us in the comment field at the end of the blog post.

In the next section, we list the destinations worth seeing along the route from Chicago to Nashville. Keep reading.

5 Places To Visit On The Way From Chicago To Nashville

A unique experience awaits you in Nashville. However, there are also some unique destinations, like Indianapolis, Indiana, on your road trip. We want to explain the top five destinations we recommend on the Nashville route.

1. Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Children’s Museum of Indianapolis will be the first destination we recommend you to stop by on your Chicago to Nashville road trip. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is 181 miles away from Chicago, and it would take 3 hours and 9 mins to drive. Our tour guide, Mr. Haan, was highly knowledgeable about the art collection and provided interesting details about each piece. It was fascinating to learn how each object had been acquired and what personal significance it held for him. If you want to learn more about the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.

2. Haan Museum of Indiana Art

Haan Museum of Indiana Art, Lafayette, Indiana, is one of the destinations we recommend you to stop by on the Chicago to Nashville route. It’s 123 miles from Chicago, and it’ll take about 2 hours and 12 mins of driving. A museum is an excellent place for children. Parking was free, and the food was decent, although the portions were small and the quality wasn’t excellent. If you want to learn more about the Haan Museum of Indiana Art, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.

3. Swope’s Cars of Yesteryear Museum

One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from Chicago to Nashville is Elizabethtown, Kentucky. And if you visit Elizabethtown, Kentucky, we suggest you visit Swope’s Cars of Yesteryear Museum. You can arrive at Swope’s Cars of Yesteryear Museum after 5 hours 52 mins of driving. A suitable venue in the middle of town provides a fun experience for all but is especially popular with young fans of baseball. In addition, there are souvenir bats available for purchase that will make great gifts. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of Swope’s Cars of Yesteryear Museum for more information.

4. Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory

Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Louisville, Kentucky, on the road trip from Chicago to Nashville. Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is 300 miles from Chicago, and you can arrive there after the 5 hours and 3 mins of drive. This car collection is impressive. The place was immaculate, and every car had a placard with information. It was an excellent presentation of such a beautiful collection. In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory before going there.

5. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum ranks fifth in our list of tourist destinations on the Nashville road trip. You must take 7 hours 43 mins of driving to arrive at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. I enjoyed touring the museum and seeing all the memorabilia and videos. It took about two and a half hours to see everything. If you enjoy country music, this is a must-see museum! If you want to learn more about the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.

FAQ of the Road Trip From Chicago to Nashville

Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about the Chicago to Nashville drive.

How Long Is The Road Trip From Chicago To Nashville?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the road trip takes approximately 7 hours and 43 mins to drive. The distance between Chicago to Nashville is 442 miles.
• If you want to make the Chicago to Nashville road trip by bike, the time you spend on the road will be one day and 15 hours.
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the Chicago-Nashville route, you will have to walk for six days and 4 hours.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From Chicago To Nashville?

There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to Nashville. Here we list five of them. For more information about the best places on the Chicago to Nashville journey, you can check the 5 Best Places To Visit On The Way From Chicago To Nashville.

1. Children’s Museum of Indianapolis: 181 miles / 3 hours 9 mins to drive from Chicago | 291 miles / 4 hours 55 mins of driving to Nashville.
2. Haan Museum of Indiana Art: 123 miles / 2 hours 12 mins to drive from Chicago | 352 miles / 5 hours 54 mins of driving to Nashville.
3. Swope’s Cars of Yesteryear Museum: 348 miles / 5 hours 52 mins to drive from Chicago | 134 miles / 2 hours 16 mins of driving to Nashville.
4. Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory: 300 miles / 5 hours 3 mins to drive from Chicago | 176 miles / 2 hours 55 mins of driving to Nashville.
5. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: 442 miles / 7 hours 43 mins to drive from Chicago | 0.5 miles / 5 mins of driving to Nashville.

Where Should You Stay On The Road Trip From Chicago To Nashville?

There are many excellent hotels during your Chicago to Nashville road trip. We have selected six hotels for you. These hotels are listed below. Remember, you can find detailed information about these hotels in the 6 Best Hotels On The Way To Nashville From Chicago section.

• Indianapolis Marriott East: 189 miles / 3 hours 18 mins to drive from Chicago | 292 miles / 4 hours 48 mins of driving to Nashville.
• Homewood Suites by Hilton Lafayette: 124 miles / 2 hours 9 mins to drive from Chicago | 351 miles / 5 hours 50 mins of driving to Nashville.
• Residence Inn Louisville East/Oxmoor: 308 miles / 5 hours 12 mins to drive from Chicago | 179 miles / 3 hours 0 mins of driving to Nashville.
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Elizabethtown: 342 miles / 5 hours 45 mins to drive from Chicago | 133 miles / 2 hours 13 mins of driving to Nashville.
• Best Western Plus Nashville Airport Hotel: 448 miles / 7 hours 47 mins to drive from Chicago | 8.7 miles / 15 mins of driving to Nashville.
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Bowling Green: 413 miles / 6 hours 53 mins to drive from Chicago | 61.4 miles / 1 hour 6 mins of driving to Nashville.

Where To Eat Between Chicago to Nashville?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Chicago to Nashville journey, you can consider the six restaurants we have chosen. In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 6 Best Restaurants On The Way From Chicago To Nashville.

1. High Velocity, Indianapolis: 183 miles / 3 hours 12 mins to drive from Chicago | 288 miles / 4 hours 44 mins of driving to Nashville.
2. Triple XXX Family Restaurant, West Lafayette: 123 miles / 2 hours 11 mins to drive from Chicago | 353 miles / 5 hours 59 mins of driving to Nashville.
3. Back Home Restaurant, Elizabethtown: 343 miles / 5 hours 48 mins to drive from Chicago | 133 miles / 2 hours 13 mins of driving to Nashville.
4. J Graham’s Cafe: 302 miles / 5 hours 6 mins to drive from Chicago | 174 miles / 2 hours 54 mins of driving to Nashville.
5. Monell’s Dining & Catering: 441 miles / 7 hours 40 mins to drive from Chicago | 1.4 miles / 6 mins of driving to Nashville.
6. El Maguey Mexican Restaurant, Bowling Green: 413 miles / 6 hours 53 mins to drive from Chicago | 61.3 miles / 1 hour 4 mins of driving to Nashville.

Conclusion

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Chicago to Nashville. We have listed six hotels, six restaurants, and five places to visit on the way. We have also given you detailed information about each place so that you can make an informed choice about where to stay, eat, and what to see. We hope this guide has helped make your road trip from Chicago to Nashville as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you ever taken a road trip from Chicago to Nashville? So, it would be perfect if you shared your experience with other travelers who want the same experience. You can share your thoughts about the road trip from Chicago to Nashville and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below.