Driving From Atlanta to Nashville With a Rental Car: What You Need to Know

Planning to drive a rental car from Atlanta to Nashville is a very common idea—especially if you’re flying into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) or you live in metro Atlanta and want a quick road trip. The route is straightforward, but there are a few Atlanta-specific details that can save you money, time, and stress.

Below is a practical guide tailored to drivers starting in or passing through Atlanta, Georgia.

Atlanta to Nashville by Rental Car: The Basics

• Approximate distance: 250–270 miles (one way), depending on your exact start in Atlanta
• Typical driving time: About 4 to 4.5 hours in normal traffic
• Primary route: Usually I-75 North → I-24 West toward Nashville
• Common starting points:
  • Atlanta Airport rental car center
  • Downtown/Midtown Atlanta rental locations
  • Suburban areas like Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Marietta, or Decatur

If you’re just comparing options, this trip is usually short enough to be comfortably done in one day, but long enough that rental terms, mileage limits, and fees really matter.

Where to Rent a Car in Atlanta for a Nashville Trip

1. Airport Rental Car Center (Best If You’re Flying In)

If you’re flying into Atlanta and heading straight to Tennessee, the Rental Car Center (RCC) at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is often the most convenient:

• Address (RCC): 2200 Rental Car Center Parkway, College Park, GA 30337
• Accessed via the SkyTrain from the airport terminals
• Many major rental brands under one roof
• Typically has larger fleets and more vehicle choices (from compact cars to SUVs and minivans)

Pros for the Atlanta–Nashville drive:

• Easy pickup right after landing
• One of the best places to find one-way rentals if you don’t plan to return to Atlanta
• Usually open extended hours, helpful if your flight arrives early or late

Potential downsides:

• You may pay airport surcharges and extra fees
• Can be busier, which sometimes means longer pickup lines

If you’re price-sensitive and flexible, it can be worth comparing airport prices to in-town Atlanta locations.

2. In-Town Atlanta Rental Offices

If you live in Atlanta or are staying at a hotel or Airbnb inside the city, renting from a neighborhood location can sometimes reduce fees:

Common areas with multiple rental offices include:

• Downtown Atlanta (near Georgia State Capitol and Five Points)
• Midtown Atlanta (near Peachtree Street, Arts Center, and North Avenue)
• Buckhead (around Peachtree Road, Lenox Square area)
• Perimeter Center / Sandy Springs (near Perimeter Mall, Ashford-Dunwoody Road)
• Cobb County / Marietta (near I-75 and I-285)

Why some Atlanta drivers choose in-town rentals for Nashville trips:

• Often lower base rates or fewer airport-specific taxes
• Closer to home or hotel, so no need to drive to the airport first
• Easier street access if you’re avoiding airport traffic on I-85 and I-285

If you’re leaving from inside the Perimeter (I-285) and driving to Nashville, you’ll likely hop onto I-75/85 through downtown or head to I-75 via Northside Drive or the Connector.

One-Way Rental vs. Round Trip: Starting in Atlanta

One of the first decisions is whether you’ll return the car to Atlanta or drop it in Nashville.

Round-Trip Rental (Pick Up and Drop Off in Atlanta)

This is common for:

• Atlanta residents taking a weekend trip to Nashville
• Visitors who are staying in Atlanta, doing a side trip, then coming back

Pros:

• Often cheaper daily rates
• No or lower one-way drop fees
• Easier paperwork since you’re staying in the same state

Cons:

• You must drive back to Atlanta, even if your trip really ends in Nashville

One-Way Rental Atlanta → Nashville

This can make sense if:

• You fly into Atlanta, drive to Nashville, and then fly home from Nashville International Airport (BNA)
• You’re relocating or moving between Atlanta and Nashville
• Your road trip continues beyond Nashville and you won’t be returning to Georgia

Things to check carefully in Atlanta:

• One-way drop fee: Many companies charge an extra fee to drop off in another city or state. Ask the Atlanta office specifically about:
  • “One-way rental from Atlanta to Nashville”
  • “Drop-off at an out-of-state location”
• Eligible return locations: Not every branch accepts one-way returns. Confirm:
  • Whether you can return at Nashville airport or only certain neighborhood locations
• Mileage policy:
  • Some rentals include unlimited miles, which is ideal for Atlanta–Nashville
  • Others (often local Atlanta rentals) offer limited daily mileage with per-mile charges beyond that

Route Overview: Driving From Atlanta to Nashville

Most drivers leaving Atlanta for Nashville use a fairly simple interstate route.

Common Route From Atlanta

1. From Downtown / Midtown Atlanta, take I-75/85 North (“the Connector”)
2. Continue on I-75 North when I-75 and I-85 split
3. Near Chattanooga, Tennessee, follow signs to I-24 West toward Nashville
4. Stay on I-24 West directly into the Nashville area

From the airport, you generally:

• Take I-85 North toward downtown Atlanta
• Merge onto I-75/85 North, then follow the same route

Things Atlanta Drivers Should Expect on the Route

• Traffic leaving Atlanta:
  • Weekday mornings and late afternoons can be congested, especially through downtown and heading up I-75 past Cobb County
• Chattanooga area:
  • Some hilly and curvy stretches near Monteagle Mountain on I-24; drive cautiously, especially in bad weather
• Rest stops:
  • You’ll pass multiple Georgia Welcome Centers and state-run rest areas along I-75 before the Tennessee line

If you’re unfamiliar with long interstate drives, it can help to fuel up and check your route before leaving your Atlanta pickup location.

Approximate Trip Costs: What to Budget From Atlanta

Costs vary widely depending on company, season, and pickup location, but Atlanta renters generally consider:

1. Rental Rate

• Daily base rate: Often lower on weekdays than holiday weekends
• Car type: Compact or midsize cars usually cost less than SUVs or minivans
• Pickup location: Airport rentals can include more taxes and surcharges than neighborhood Atlanta locations

2. Mileage & Fuel

• Distance: About 250–270 miles one way
• Fuel cost estimate:
  • Roughly 1 tank or less each way for a typical sedan
  • Larger SUVs will use more fuel, especially on hilly stretches in Tennessee

Ask your Atlanta counter agent or check your agreement for:

• Required fuel type (regular vs. premium)
• Fuel policy:
  • Prepay fuel vs. return full
  • Per-gallon charges if returned less than full (often higher than local gas prices)

3. Additional Rental Fees That Often Affect Atlanta–Nashville Trips

• One-way drop fee (if you leave the car in Nashville)
• Additional driver fee if more than one person will be driving
• Underage driver fee if you’re under 25
• Toll or transponder program fees (less critical between Atlanta and Nashville than in states with heavy toll roads, but ask at pickup)

Use the total cost on your agreement—not just the daily rate—to compare options in Atlanta.

Insurance, Coverage & Atlanta-Specific Considerations

What Atlanta Renters Commonly Check

1. Personal auto insurance:
   • If you live in Georgia and have auto coverage, call your insurer or check your policy to see whether it:
     • Covers rental cars
     • Covers out-of-state trips to Tennessee
2. Credit card coverage:
   • Many major credit cards offer some level of rental car coverage when you pay with that card, but it varies
3. Rental counter coverage:
   • Options often include collision damage waivers, liability supplements, and personal effects coverage

For Atlanta-based renters, the key question is: Does my current Georgia policy + card coverage fully protect me on an interstate trip into Tennessee? If you’re unsure, it’s safer to clarify before you leave the Atlanta office.

Picking the Right Vehicle for Atlanta to Nashville

For most people starting in Atlanta, the choice comes down to comfort, luggage space, and fuel economy.

Good options for this route:

• Compact or midsize sedans:
  • Best for solo travelers or couples
  • Generally lower cost and good gas mileage
• SUVs or crossovers:
  • Better if you’re traveling with family or carrying extra luggage
  • Helpful in case of rainy or winter weather on Tennessee hills
• Minivans:
  • Good for larger groups or if you’re hauling equipment

When booking or picking up in Atlanta, confirm:

• Trunk space for your group
• USB ports and Bluetooth (useful for navigation and music on a 4+ hour drive)
• Spare tire and roadside assistance details

Departure Timing: Leaving Atlanta Smartly

Atlanta traffic patterns can make a big difference in how long it actually takes to get to Nashville.

Better times to depart from Atlanta:

• Mid-morning (10 a.m.–noon) on weekdays
• Midday on weekends, avoiding heavy event traffic (Falcons, Hawks, concerts, downtown festivals)

Times to avoid if possible:

• Weekday rush hours:
  • Roughly 6:30–9:00 a.m. and 4:00–7:00 p.m. on main interstates
• Holiday weekends:
  • Friday afternoons on I-75/I-285 can be especially congested

If you’re picking up at ATL airport, give yourself extra time to:

1. Ride the SkyTrain to the Rental Car Center
2. Complete paperwork and vehicle inspection
3. Navigate out of the airport area onto I-85 or I-285

Helpful Packing & Prep Tips for Atlanta–Nashville Road Trips

Before you leave your rental location in Atlanta:

• Inspect the car:
  • Walk around it, note any existing scratches/dents, and confirm they’re documented
  • Check fuel level and mileage
• Set up navigation:
  • Pre-load your route on your phone or the car’s GPS
  • Plan for possible detours around downtown Atlanta or heavy construction zones
• Pack essentials:
  • Driver’s license and rental agreement
  • Insurance and credit card info
  • Phone charger and mount
  • Snacks and water (especially if traveling with kids)

Crossing State Lines: Atlanta to Tennessee in a Rental Car

Most major rental companies in Atlanta allow you to drive into neighboring states, including Tennessee, without special permission, but there are exceptions.

When you pick up your car in Atlanta, ask directly:

• “Is this rental allowed to travel from Georgia into Tennessee?”
• “Are there any restrictions on which states I can drive to?”

Also check:

• Roadside assistance coverage:
  • Confirm that it applies in Tennessee as well as Georgia
• Mileage:
  • Make sure you’re either on unlimited miles or know the per-mile rate beyond your allowance

Quick Reference: Atlanta–Nashville Rental Car Planning

If You’re Starting From Key Atlanta Areas

• Downtown / Midtown Atlanta:
  • Expect more city traffic; easiest to hop onto the Connector (I-75/85) and head north
• Buckhead / Brookhaven:
  • Likely to enter I-85 or GA-400, then connect to I-285 and I-75
• Cobb County / Marietta / Smyrna:
  • You’re already close to I-75 North, making for a quick escape from metro Atlanta
• Atlanta Airport:
  • Leave extra time to get from your gate to the Rental Car Center and onto I-85/I-285

Choosing a pickup spot close to where you’re staying in Atlanta can cut down on city driving before the main interstate portion of your trip.

By checking rental terms, route details, and timing while you’re still in Atlanta, you can turn the drive to Nashville into a straightforward, low-stress trip—whether you’re heading out for a quick weekend or continuing a longer journey across the Southeast.