Nashville To Chicago Road Trip: The Ultimate Guide

Traveling from Nashville to Chicago is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. The 442 miles of road trip from Nashville to Chicago takes around 7 hours and 41 mins of driving without stops.

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

6 Best Hotels On The Way From Nashville To Chicago

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

1. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Bowling Green

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Bowling Green is one of the best hotels you can stay on the road trip from Nashville to Chicago. Driving from Nashville to La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Bowling Green might take around 1 hour and 3 mins. This economy hotel is clean and comfortable and has good towels, beds, and hot water. It also has a hot breakfast with eggs, sausage, waffles, fruit, and other choices. The downside is that the breakfast ends at 9 am. Check the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Bowling Green, one of the best hotels in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.

2. Best Western Plus Nashville Airport Hotel

Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to Chicago from Nashville is Best Western Plus Nashville Airport Hotel. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the hotel is 9.4 miles away from Nashville, and it would take 15 mins to drive. This hotel was immaculate and conveniently located near the airport. There is also free breakfast in the mornings, which is perfect for travelers. If you want to learn more about the Best Western Plus Nashville Airport Hotel, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

3. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Elizabethtown

Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Elizabethtown. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Elizabethtown is located in Louisville, Kentucky, and it’s 134 miles away from Nashville. You can arrive there in 2 hours and 13 mins of non-stop driving. I was so happy to find a pet-friendly hotel on our travels. The staff was amiable, and check-in went quickly after traveling all day. The hotel was spotless and near plenty of food options. We also hit a nearby bookstore too! Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Elizabethtown for more information.

4. Residence Inn Louisville East/Oxmoor

If you are taking the road trip from Nashville to Chicago, Elizabethtown, Kentucky, is must have a place you should visit. Plus, Residence Inn Louisville East/Oxmoor is one of the best hotels in town. It is Residence Inn Louisville East/Oxmoor, 178 miles from Nashville, and it would take 2 hours and 57 mins to drive. The hotel is clean, and the rooms are spacious. The breakfast is excellent, and the dinners are also delicious. However, the guest service that we received when we arrived was in a class above all others that we have experienced. If you need more info about the price and availability of Residence Inn Louisville East/Oxmoor, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.

5. Homewood Suites by Hilton Lafayette

Our next hotel is Homewood Suites by Hilton Lafayette, Lafayette, Indiana. It will take 5 hours, and 49 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from Nashville. The hotel is immaculate and well-equipped. There is also a small restaurant/bar in the hotel, which was nice not to have to leave the premises for anything. Check the Homewood Suites by Hilton Lafayette on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Homewood Suites by Hilton Lafayette for reviews, prices, and availability.

6. Indianapolis Marriott East

Another hotel you can accommodate on the road trip from Nashville to Chicago is Indianapolis Marriott East. It’s possible to arrive at this hotel, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, within 4 hours and 46 mins drive from Nashville. We stayed at Purdue University when we toured the campus. The rooms were spotless, and towels were not the overly bleached kind. The whole breakfast area was also immaculate. It was in a great location to lots of restaurants. 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 Nashville to Chicago. 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 Nashville to Chicago route.

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

6 Best Restaurants On The Way To Chicago From Nashville

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

1. El Maguey Mexican Restaurant, Bowling Green

We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on the road trip from Nashville to Chicago with El Maguey Mexican Restaurant, Bowling Green. El Maguey Mexican Restaurant, Bowling Green, is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and is 61.7 miles from Nashville. It would take 1 hour and 3 mins of driving. El Maguey was a great experience all around. Our drinks came out in carafes, and we were surprised to receive long straws instead of cups. The menu is extensive; lots of Mexican and Southwest dishes are available. We started with the shrimp cocktail, which was both ceviche-like and traditional shrimp cocktail in taste. The portion size was generous, as were the shrimp themselves. We also ordered tacos, arroz con pollo, and the spicy seafood fiesta dish – all of which were excellent! For more information about El Maguey Mexican Restaurant, Bowling Green, you can visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of El Maguey Mexican Restaurant, Bowling Green.

2. Monell’s Dining & Catering

Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Chicago from Nashville is Monell’s Dining & Catering. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Monell’s Dining & Catering is 1.4 miles from Nashville and would take 6 mins of driving. We decided to dine at Monell’s Manor based on the recommendation of a friend. This upscale restaurant features southern-style cooking that is reminiscent of grandma’s dishes. The historic building and gracious staff made our experience unforgettable. The food was fantastic, and the chicken was especially juicy and flavorful. We highly recommend this establishment! If you want to learn more about Monell’s Dining & Catering, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.

3. J Graham’s Cafe

Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is J Graham’s Cafe. It will take 2 hours and 53 mins of car drive to take 175 miles from Nashville to J Graham’s Cafe, Louisville, Kentucky. My friend had chicken fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans. All the food was homemade and looked like it was made just for them, and the waitress gave us some great suggestions for what to order next time we came. Everything on our plates looked delicious! You can check J Graham’s Cafe on TripAdvisor or Google Maps for more information.

4. Back Home Restaurant, Elizabethtown

Back Home Restaurant, Elizabethtown deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. We had a great time at 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. Back Home Restaurant, Elizabethtown, is 133 miles away from Nashville, and it would take 2 hours and 12 mins of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about Back Home Restaurant, Elizabethtown, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.

5. Triple XXX Family Restaurant, Lafayette

If you enjoy dining, Triple XXX Family Restaurant, Lafayette, would be an excellent choice in Lafayette, Indiana. It’s 354 miles from Nashville and would take 5 hours and 59 mins of car driving. The waitress was very accommodating regarding allergies, and the service was great. The food arrived quickly and looked delicious. If you want to learn more about the Triple XXX Family Restaurant, Lafayette, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.

6. High Velocity, Indianapolis

Another restaurant we recommend you to visit on the road trip from Nashville to Chicago is High Velocity, Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana. It will take 4 hours and 43 mins of driving to reach High Velocity, Indianapolis, from Nashville. This diner is definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area. The food was amazing, and the service was top-notch. The atmosphere was great, too – I loved how it had a vintage feel, with outdoor seating available as well. For more information about High Velocity, Indianapolis, you can check TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of the restaurant.

This section lists our six restaurant recommendations for you to eat on your road trip from Nashville to Chicago. 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 Chicago 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 Nashville to Chicago. Keep reading.

5 Places To Visit On The Way From Nashville To Chicago

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

1. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Nashville

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Nashville, will be the first destination we recommend you to stop by on your Nashville to Chicago road trip. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Nashville is 0.6 miles away from Nashville, and it would take 5 mins to drive.I enjoyed seeing all the memorabilia and the videos. It took about two and a half hours to see everything. If you enjoy Country Music, you should definitely visit the museum. If you want to learn more about the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Nashville, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.

2. Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Louisville

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky is one of the destinations we recommend you to stop by on the Nashville to Chicago route. It’s 177 miles from Nashville, and it’ll take about 2 hours and 56 mins of driving. This car museum has a wide variety of cars on display. Each one is in great condition and looks like it just came out of the showroom. The place is spotless, and you can hear your shoes squeak on the floor because there’s never a spot of dirt or dust anywhere. The placards next to each car give detailed information about each one, including its story and how it ended up here. If you want to learn more about Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Louisville, 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 Nashville to Chicago 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 2 hours and 14 mins of driving. A good place to watch a game in the middle of downtown is likely more interesting for kids than adults. Souvenir bats are available for purchase, making it a nice way to take home an extra memory from your visit. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of Swope’s Cars of Yesteryear Museum for more information.

4. Haan Museum of Indiana Art

Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit the Haan Museum of Indiana Art, Lafayette, Indiana, on the road trip from Nashville to Chicago. Haan Museum of Indiana Art is 353 miles from Nashville, and you can arrive there after the 5 hours and 54 mins of drive. The Museum for Young Children is a great place to spend a day with your family. Parking was free, and the food was reasonably priced, although the portions were small and the quality wasn’t great. In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of the Haan Museum of Indiana Art before going there.

5. Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis ranks fifth in our list of tourist destinations on the Chicago road trip. You must take 4 hours and 51 mins of driving to arrive at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. The art and ceramics collection is excellent. We had a tour conducted by Mr. Haan himself, and it was fascinating to hear about the acquisition of each item and his personal love of Indiana art. If you want to learn more about the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.

FAQ of the Road Trip From Nashville to Chicago

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

How Long Is The Road Trip From Nashville To Chicago?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the road trip takes approximately 7 hours and 41 mins to drive. The distance between Nashville to Chicago is 442 miles.
• If you want to make the Nashville to Chicago road trip by bike, the time you spend on the road will be 1 day 14 hours.
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the Nashville-Chicago route, then you will have to walk for 6 days 4 hours.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From Nashville To Chicago?

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

1. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Nashville: 0.6 miles / 5 mins to drive from Nashville | 441 miles / 7 hours and 42 mins of driving to Chicago.
2. Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Lousville: 177 miles / 2 hours and 56 mins to drive from Nashville | 300 miles / 5 hours and 5 mins of driving to Chicago.
3. Swope’s Cars of Yesteryear Museum: 135 miles / 2 hours and 14 mins to drive from Nashville | 345 miles / 5 hours and 55 mins of driving to Chicago.
4. Haan Museum of Indiana Art: 353 miles / 5 hours and 54 mins to drive from Nashville | 123 miles / 2 hours and 15 mins of driving to Chicago.
5. Children’s Museum of Indianapolis: 292 miles / 4 hours and 51 mins to drive from Nashville | 180 miles / 3 hours and 11 mins of driving to Chicago.

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

There are many excellent hotels during your Nashville to Chicago 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 Chicago From Nashville section.

• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Bowling Green: 61.8 miles / 1 hour 3 mins to drive from Nashville | 413 miles / 6 hours and 56 mins of driving to Chicago.
• Best Western Plus Nashville Airport Hotel: 9.4 miles / 15 mins to drive from Nashville | 446 miles / 7 hours and 46 mins of driving to Chicago.
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Elizabethtown: 134 miles / 2 hours and 13 mins to drive from Nashville | 341 miles / 5 hours and 48 mins of driving to Chicago.
• Residence Inn Louisville East/Oxmoor: 178 miles / 2 hours and 57 mins to drive from Nashville | 307 miles / 5 hours and 16 mins of driving to Chicago.
• Homewood Suites by Hilton Lafayette: 352 miles / 5 hours and 49 mins to drive from Nashville | 123 miles / 2 hours and 12 mins of driving to Chicago.
• Indianapolis Marriott East: 292 miles / 4 hours and 46 mins to drive from Nashville | 189 miles / 3 hours and 21 mins of driving to Chicago.

Where To Eat Between Nashville to Chicago?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Nashville to Chicago 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 Nashville To Chicago.

1. El Maguey Mexican Restaurant, Bowling Green: 61.7 miles / 1 hour 3 mins to drive from Nashville | 413 miles / 6 hours and 54 mins of driving to Chicago.
2. Monell’s Dining & Catering: 1.4 miles / 6 mins to drive from Nashville | 440 miles / 7 hours and 39 mins of driving to Chicago.
3. J Graham’s Cafe: 175 miles / 2 hours and 53 mins to drive from Nashville | 299 miles / 5 hours and 9 mins of driving to Chicago.
4. Back Home Restaurant, Elizabethtown: 133 miles / 2 hours and 12 mins to drive from Nashville | 343 miles / 5 hours and 51 mins of driving to Chicago.
5. Triple XXX Family Restaurant, Lafayette: 354 miles / 5 hours and 59 mins to drive from Nashville | 123 miles / 2 hours and 13 mins of driving to Chicago.
6. High Velocity, Indianapolis: 289 miles / 4 hours and 43 mins to drive from Nashville | 183 miles / 3 hours and 17 mins of driving to Chicago.

Conclusion

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Nashville to Chicago. 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 Nashville to Chicago as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you ever taken a road trip from Nashville to Chicago? 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 Nashville to Chicago and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below.