Itinerary
- Day 1
Atlanta
You'll arrive and pick up your rental car, then drive to your hotel in downtown Atlanta for the first 2 nights of your road trip. This gives you a chance to settle in and get your bearings before exploring the city.
- Day 2
Atlanta
Spend the day checking out Atlanta's mix of modern attractions and Southern history. The Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca Cola, and CNN studios show the city's contemporary side, while wandering around different neighborhoods lets you find the old-school charm that makes Atlanta unique.
Optional Activities
- Visit Georgia Aquarium
- Visit World of Coca Cola
- Guided tour of CNN studios
Landmarks/POIs Georgia Aquarium World of Coca Cola CNN Studios - Day 3
Atlanta to Nashville
Drive through rolling green hills toward Nashville, roughly 400 km. You'll pass through Chattanooga first to see its riverside setting, then head to Lynchburg for a tour of the Jack Daniel's Distillery before reaching Nashville for your 2-night stay.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Jack Daniel's Distillery
Landmarks/POIs Chattanooga Jack Daniel's Distillery Tennessee River - Day 4
Nashville
Nashville has plenty to see along the Cumberland River, including museums, parks, and churches that show the city's character. Head to some honky tonk bars for live music, and spend time at the Country Music Hall of Fame learning about legends like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Dolly Parton.
Optional Activities
- Visit Country Music Hall of Fame
Landmarks/POIs Cumberland River Country Music Hall of Fame - Day 5
Nashville to Memphis
Drive down the Music Highway to Memphis, about 340 km away, where rock and roll history comes alive. Visit Graceland to see Elvis Presley's iconic home, then check into your Memphis hotel for 2 nights and start exploring this legendary music destination.
Optional Activities
- Visit Graceland
Landmarks/POIs Graceland - Day 6
Memphis
Start at the Blues Hall of Fame, then walk along historic Beale Street to try restaurants and bars while catching live music. The street itself is packed with authentic Memphis Blues history, and you might find open-air concerts or festivals happening while you're there.
Optional Activities
- Visit Blues Hall of Fame
- Stroll Beale Street
Landmarks/POIs Blues Hall of Fame Beale Street - Day 7
Memphis to Natchez
Head south roughly 490 km to reach Natchez, stopping in Indianola to visit the B.B. King Museum along the way. Once there, wander through Mississippi's oldest city and see the famous Greek Revival mansions that line the streets, each one telling a different story.
Optional Activities
- Visit B.B. King Museum
Landmarks/POIs B.B. King Museum Mississippi River - Day 8
Natchez to New Orleans
Drive to New Orleans (about 285 km) and settle in for 2 nights. Start exploring the French Quarter, walk along the Mississippi River, or hop on the historic streetcar heading to the Garden District. There's a lot to take in, so take your time and get a feel for the city's layout.
Optional Activities
- Explore French Quarter
- Walk along Mississippi River
- Ride historic Streetcar to Garden District
Landmarks/POIs French Quarter Mississippi River Garden District - Day 9
New Orleans
New Orleans offers far more than you can see in one day. Wander through alleyways in different districts, visit the Louisiana State Museum, catch live jazz in local pubs, and try authentic Creole cuisine. The city also has unique historic cemeteries and interesting architecture around every corner.
Optional Activities
- Visit museums
- Explore mystical cemeteries
- Visit Louisiana State Museum
- Listen to jazz in local pubs
- Try Creole cuisine
Landmarks/POIs Louisiana State Museum - Day 10
New Orleans to Lafayette
Drive west to Lafayette (roughly 250 km), Louisiana's fourth largest city known for generous food portions, live music, and dancing everywhere. If you have time, take a detour to Avery Island to see how Tabasco sauce is produced, which offers a quirky break from the usual tourist stops.
Optional Activities
- Detour to Avery Island to visit Tabasco sauce production
Landmarks/POIs Avery Island - Day 11
Lafayette to Houston
Follow the scenic Creole Nature Trail, an All American Road, through deep green swamps where you can spot alligators and various bird species. Continue to Houston (about 350 km total) and feel the city's energy while checking out the arts scene, museum district, and the creative Montrose neighborhood.
Optional Activities
- Drive Creole Nature Trail - All American Road
- Explore Houston's arts scene, opera, ballet, theater
- Visit museum district (19 museums)
- Explore Montrose district with murals, cafés, vintage stores
Landmarks/POIs Creole Nature Trail Montrose District - Day 12
Houston to Austin
Tour Space Center Houston and walk through NASA's historic Mission Control Center at the Johnson Space Center, then drive to Austin (roughly 270 km) for a 2-night stay in the Live Music Capitol of the World. The city's vibe is unlike anywhere else you'll visit on this trip.
Optional Activities
- Visit Space Center Houston
- Tour NASA's Mission Control Center at Johnson Space Center
Landmarks/POIs Space Center Houston Johnson Space Center - Day 13
Austin
Austin has attractions worth a full day. You can visit Barton Springs to cool off, tour the Texas State Capitol, hike Mount Bonnell for views of the mansion districts, or watch the world's largest bat colony emerge from under Congress Street Bridge at dusk. Grab excellent barbecue and catch live music in the Warehouse or Red River District.
Optional Activities
- Visit Barton Springs
- Tour Texas State Capitol
- Hike Mount Bonnell
- Watch bat colony under Congress Street Bridge from water tour
- Enjoy live music in Warehouse or Red River District
Landmarks/POIs Barton Springs Texas State Capitol Mount Bonnell Congress Street Bridge Colorado River - Day 14
Austin to Fort Worth
Drive through scenic Hill Country to reach Fredericksburg, a charming small town with German heritage, then continue to Enchanted Rock State Park for a short walk up the 130-meter monolith with panoramic views. From there, head to Fort Worth (about 310 km total) to explore the Wild West in the historic Stockyard District and walkable downtown.
Optional Activities
- Visit Fredericksburg
- Hike to top of Enchanted Rock (130 m monolith)
Landmarks/POIs Hill Country Fredericksburg Enchanted Rock State Park Historic Stockyard District - Day 15
Fort Worth to Dallas
On your way to Dallas (roughly 50 km), stop at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to see where thousands of US dollars are printed daily, and check out the Texas Motor Speedway. Once in Dallas, explore the art museums and beautiful green spaces like the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at White Rock Lake, staying 2 nights here.
Optional Activities
- Stop at Bureau of Engraving & Printing
- Visit Texas Motor Speedway
- Visit art museums
- Explore Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at White Rock Lake
Landmarks/POIs Bureau of Engraving & Printing Texas Motor Speedway Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at White Rock Lake - Day 16
Dallas
Dallas museums have extensive art collections and historical pieces worth your time. Visit the Sixth Floor Museum on Dealey Plaza to learn about President Kennedy's assassination, and explore the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum to round out your understanding of the city.
Optional Activities
- Visit Sixth Floor Museum on Dealey Plaza
- Visit George W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum
Landmarks/POIs Dealey Plaza Sixth Floor Museum George W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum - Day 17
Dallas
Your road trip ends today. Return your rental car and head home. If you'd like to extend your trip, individual extensions are available, but this is where your main journey concludes.
