10 Tennessee Road Trip Ideas: Scenic Byways, Trails & Itineraries

A Tennessee road trip would not be complete without a drive on the Natchez Trace Parkway, 444 miles stretching from Tennessee to Mississippi through Alabama. The parkway is ideal for a scenic day trip or a long weekend. Drive around mid-spring to see bright, green landscapes of Tennessee or in the fall for a scenic, colorful road trip.

• Milepost 385.9 - Meriwether Lewis Park and Monument - See where the great explorer is buried in Hohenwald, Tennessee. Walk the original Old Natchez Trace foot trail and learn about the last place Lewis stayed, Grinder's Stand.
   
• Milepost 404.7 - Jackson Falls - See one of only two waterfalls on the Natchez Trace Parkway. See Jackson Falls flow steadily along the carved, beautiful landscape.
   
• Milepost 428 - Leiper's Fork - Travel here for small town shopping, Tennessee whiskey tastings at Leiper's Fork Distillery, art galleries and meat-and-three dining at Fox & Locke.
   
• Milepost 444 - The Loveless Cafe - Start or end at the iconic Nashville cafe located on the Natchez Trace Parkway. Dig into Southern cooking like fried chicken, mac and cheese and their famous biscuits.

Gather Tennessee road trip ideas and stumble upon hidden gems while you take the scenic route. These 16 self-guided driving routes take you off the beaten path for authentic experiences and connect all of Tennessee’s 95 counties so you can discover places you never knew you’ve always wanted to visit. Drive these routes year-round for a unique vacation to Tennessee every time you visit. Trails feature attractions, restaurants, and unexpected stops as you walk in the footsteps of legends and discover Tennessee. You can pick up trail maps at welcome centers.

• Trace stories from cotton fields to music legends following West Tennessee’s country roads on the Cotton Junction Trail.
   
• In Middle Tennessee, retrace footsteps of pioneers and discover unique treasures on the Promised Land Trail.
   
• Follow in the footsteps of settlers, storytellers and musicians along the Pie in the Sky Trail in East Tennessee. 

Cruise the Cherohala Skyway, a National Scenic Byway, and treat yourself to sprawling views of the Great Smoky Mountains to the northeast and the Tennessee River Valley to the west. The Cherohala Skyway is 43 miles long and connects Tellico Plains, Tennessee to Robbinsville, North Carolina. Be advised that there are limited restrooms (three at the visitor centers where the route begins and ends) and no gas stations along the route. Stock up on gas, snacks and use restrooms before traveling the 43-mile scenic route. Enjoy the Cherohala Skyway during the summer and fall for stunning views. It's the perfect road trip for a long weekend.  

• Mile markers 0-23 - Cherokee National Forest - The Cherokee National Forest offers a glimpse into the unspoiled forest environment where Cherokee tribes and early pioneers traveled and settled in the Appalachian Mountains.
   
• Mile marker 0 - Tellico Grains Bakery - The local bakery is located in Tellico Plains where the Cherohala Skyway begins. Stock up on handmade, locally made breads, wood-fired pizza, sandwiches and baked goods to enjoy while traveling the scenic route.
   
• Mile marker 27 - Turkey Creek Overlook - One of the best overlooks on the Cherohala Skyway is the Turkey Creek Overlook. Take some time to drink in the expansive mountain views. You'll love seeing the view in the spring, summer and fall.
   
• Mile marker 39 - Bald River Falls - Bald River Falls is a stunning waterfall you can see from the road. Pull off for Instagram-worthy photos. and enjoy the thundering roar of the 100-foot waterfall. If you want to see it on foot, follow the trail named Bald River Falls Trail which can be reached from the parking lot just past the waterfall. You'll follow Bald River through forests to reach the falls.

The Cumberland National Scenic Byway is 200 miles that connects the Cumberland Gap and Cumberland River, covering Tennessee's Upper Cumberland region east of Nashville. Encounter historic sites, epic overlooks and scenic views along the byway. Spend a long weekend on the byway to enjoy camping, charming b&b's and historic hotels. Plan your route spring-fall for optimal driving conditions.

• Cumberland Gap National Historic Park - Hike the same trails once traversed by Native Americans, pioneers and settlers. Pinnacle Overlook provides panoramic views of Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia at a 2,440-foot elevation.
   
• Historic Rugby - Explore Rugby, an 1880 Victorian Village that has been historically preserved. Enjoy a historic tour of the library, church and other buildings in the village, historic bed and breakfasts and easily accessible outdoor adventure nearby.
   
• Cove Lake State Park - Stretch your legs at Cove Lake State Park that has mountain views. The state park offers boating on the 200-acre Cove Lake, hiking, birding and biking.
   
• Cordell Hull's Birthplace - Named after Cordell Hull who served in the President Roosevelt administration and had a pivotal role in forming the United Nations, Cordell Hull's Birthplace State Park has a replica of the cabin Cordell Hull was born in 1871, a museum full of artifacts, documents and a replica of his office and more. Take the Bunkum Cave Trail to see the cave where Hull's father once operated a moonshine distillery.

Norris Freeway National Scenic Byway is 21 miles long and frames the town of Norris and Norris Dam State Park. The Knoxville area route is famed for its hiking, trout fishing and boating. It's a great daytime drive and can be enjoyed in every season. 

With plenty of overlooks, nearby hiking trails and scenic beauty around every bend, Newfound Gap Road is a 31-mile scenic drive that cuts through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In East Tennessee, the picturesque and historic Newfound Gap Road connects Gatlinburg with Cherokee, North Carolina. At 5,046’, the route is the lowest drivable pass through the park. Take this scenic Tennessee road trip in springtime to see budding trees and green valleys as well as in the fall to see why it's one of the best scenic drives in Tennessee. The road may be closed during the winter dependent on snowfall. 

Known as Tennessee’s “Great Valley,” the scenic Sequatchie Valley National Scenic Byway is 70 miles of beautiful Tennessee landscape in Southeast Tennessee. The route features the Sequatchie River and is framed by the Cumberland Plateau and Walden’s Ridge. Take this scenic drive in Tennessee during the summer to see incredible verdant valleys from multiple overlooks. You can stop into several small towns along the way to make your road trip truly special. You'll love the beautiful valleys and 116-mile Sequatchie River views. Travel the Sequatchie Valley National Scenic Byway during the spring and summer to take advantage of a wide variety of outdoor adventure like cycling the Sequatchie Valley, golfing, off-road ATV riding, waterfall hiking trails and more.

The Great River Road National Scenic Byway in West Tennessee is a 3,000-mile, 10-state route that follows along the Mississippi River. The road trip can take about 10-14 days to complete. Follow the green pilot's wheel road signs to river towns like Tiptonville, Ripley and Union City. You can complete the Tennessee portion in a long weekend or a week-long vacation as many of the stops include state parks full of outdoor activities and Memphis, a city full of soul, rock n' roll, barbecue and more. Travel The Great River Road spring-fall for seasonal beauty or during the winter for holiday festivals, events and activities.

• Tiptonville - Explore this river town including Tennessee's oldest Dairy Queen, traditional catfish dinners at Boyette's Dining Room and eagle tours at Reelfoot Lake State Park.
   
• Discovery Park of America - More than 100,000 square feet of world-class exhibits and a 50-acre heritage park await you to explore in Union City. Great for families, solo travelers and friends' trips, you'll love experiencing the unexpected like the Reelfoot Lake earthquake simulator, interactive science and space exhibits and classic cars, military vehicles and more.
   
• Memphis - Elvis Presley's Graceland, Beale Street and Sun Studio are just some of the stops you should make if you're a music lover. The city is an important cultural hub, so you'll want to take a few days to enjoy all that Memphis has to offer in music venues, Michelin-recommended restaurants, outdoor activities like ziplining and spotting buffalo herds and performing arts.

Breathtakingly beautiful and surrounded by mountains, Cades Cove is one of the most popular destinations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and a popular road trip stop. An 11-mile, one-way loop road takes you around the cove. Allow two to four hours to tour. Enjoy the drive in all seasons to spot wildlife, see gorgeous mountain views and enjoy stops along the way. No-vehicle days allow you to walk or cycle the loop on Wednesdays from May through September.

• A wide array of historic buildings dating to the late 19th and early 20th centuries is scattered throughout the cove. These include a gristmill, a variety of barns, three churches and a marvelous collection of log homes and outbuildings. 
   
• Numerous trails originate in the cove, including the five-mile roundtrip trail to Abrams Falls and the short Cades Cove Nature Trail. 
   
• Longer hikes to Thunderhead Mountain and Rocky Top (made famous by the popular song) also begin in the cove. Several designated backcountry campsites (camping by permit only) are located along trails.

Learn about the inspiring stories of Americans who fought for racial equality as you follow 17 Tennessee stops on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. The trail connects thousands of miles of more than 100 sites spanning 14 states. Visit Tennessee's stops within a long weekend or a week as you can spend several days in Clinton, Nashville and Memphis. 

• Sit in a 1950s period classroom and listen to compelling stories of the Clinton 12, the high school students who braved threats of violence to attend school at Green McAdoo Cultural Center in Clinton. 
   
• Discover five centuries of the march for equality at The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis. 
   
• See the Witness Walls, public artwork inspired by the events and people in Nashville who made history.
   
• Immerse yourself in the stories of heroes in the Nashville Public Library’s Civil Rights Room.

While on your Tennessee road trip, walk in the footsteps of legends, musical pioneers and watch songwriters perform live on stage along the Tennessee Music Pathways. The statewide driving tour connects visitors to the people, places and genres that make Tennessee the Soundtrack of America. The self-guiding tour is great for a day trip, weekend, week or multi-week scenic drive in Tennessee.

• From the largest cities, to the smallest communities, the initiative identifies and preserves music history through markers at birthplaces, resting places, hometowns, high schools, churches and locations of first-known recordings of musicians and legends who’ve shaped the seven genres of music home to Tennessee.
   
• Follow the Bluegrass Tennessee Music Pathway that leads you through Appalachian history, live music in general stores and festivals that keep the music tradition alive.
   
• Jump on the Rock n' Roll Tennessee Music Pathway for a music pilgrimage to iconic Tennessee places like Beale Street, Sun Studio and the Tina Turner Museum.
   
• Follow your heart to soul-filled stops in Tennessee on the Soul Tennessee Music Pathway for awesome music festivals, performing arts centers and museums that honor the genre.

Adventures run on Tennessee whiskey. Listen to stories of the rich history of the craft at 27 registered distilleries along the Tennessee Whiskey Trail that spans the entire state of Tennessee. A great scenic drive in Tennessee in every season, you can experience seasonal cocktails, special events and tours so that no visit is the same.

• Make sure to pick up a copy of the printed Tennessee Whiskey Passport at any of the participating distilleries. Or, download the official TN Whiskey Trail app for your iOS or Android device to access a digital passport.
   
• Tour Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, then visit downtown shops, and make a reservation for a homecooked meal at Miss Mary Bobo’s. 
   
• Explore the rolling hills to discover great stories at Tennessee Legend Distillery in Sevierville, Old Dominick in Memphis, Cascade Hollow Distilling which produces George Dickel whisky in Tullahoma, and small-batch distillery operations like Old Tennessee Distilling Company specializing in Tennessee whiskey and select bourbon.

You can follow in the footsteps of generals, soldiers, citizens and the enslaved along the Tennessee Civil War Trails.  The Civil War Trails is a multi-state, self-guided driving trail that connects you to more than 1,000 historic sites, battlefields, museums, scenic hiking trails, downtowns and roadside restaurants in Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. To complete Tennessee's trail, you would need to road trip for a couple of weeks. However, you can visit parts of the Civil War Trail within a day, weekend or week-long vacation.

• Hear the stories of soldiers and civilians through letters they wrote on a lantern tour at Stones River National Battlefield in Murfreesboro. 
   
• Overlooking the Battle of Franklin sits Carnton, a private-home turned field hospital and provided land for the Confederate cemetery. 
   
• Step in the shadow of one of the Civil War’s most definitive battles at Shiloh National Military Park. 

Tennessee has beauty for all to see. Visitors with red-green color blindless are now able to enjoy fall leaves bursting with color and spring’s beautiful flowers with special viewfinders at scenic locations across the state. The viewfinders, which have innovative EnChroma lenses, let travelers see the bold colors of the changing seasons.

• Ober Mountain - Enjoy expansive mountain views with the colorblind viewfinder located at the top of Mt. Harrison on Ober Mountain's scenic deck.
   
• Radnor Lake State Park - One of the perfect road trips from Nashville include Radnor Lake State Park which has amazing hiking trails with wildlife viewing. The state park also has a wheelchair-friendly Colorblind Viewfinder on the Lake Trail so you can enjoy some of the highest terrain in West Tennessee with breathtaking views.
   
• Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park - Enjoy the views of this wooded state park with 13,000 acres of hiking trails, birding and paddling on the lake. Lodging includes cabins and camping so you can enjoy a fun outdoor weekend.