So scared to drive through Nashville... (Franklin, Lebanon: construction, live in, airport)

[pioneer8]

Please, if you are local or can offer us guidance... We will be coming east on Interstate 40 (from TX) in a few weeks.

We have driven this trip once before, going straight through Nashville the way over to Lebanon, TN and trying a little bybass around Nashville (South of the city) on the way back to TX.

My question is, Is there a less busy way???... We don't mind going out of our way to avoid driving through Nashville... If I sound like a chicken, it's because I am.

We wondered what the roads are like north of Nashville. On the map, it looks like a big loop north of the city? Is that an easier drive?

Please tell me if there are steep areas or tunnels or bridges... or most important to me... huge overpasses like around Dallas... ugh.

Thank you to any kind person who can help alleviate my fears and/or make our trip easier.

[AKA FLEX]

Originally Posted by pioneer8

Please, if you are local or can offer us guidance... We will be coming east on Interstate 40 (from TX) in a few weeks.

We have driven this trip once before, going straight through Nashville the way over to Lebanon, TN and trying a little bybass around Nashville (South of the city) on the way back to TX.

My question is, Is there a less busy way???... We don't mind going out of our way to avoid driving through Nashville... If I sound like a chicken, it's because I am.

We wondered what the roads are like north of Nashville. On the map, it looks like a big loop north of the city? Is that an easier drive?

Please tell me if there are steep areas or tunnels or bridges... or most important to me... huge overpasses like around Dallas... ugh.

Thank you to any kind person who can help alleviate my fears and/or make our trip easier.

Just time your drive to where you don't hit Nashville at rush hour (or any time between 3-7pm) and take 440 East to avoid downtown. If you do this you should have no traffic concerns, plus they've pretty much finished the construction on I-40 around the airport area.

[pioneer8]

Thanks... Anyone else with other ideas? Not that that one isn't good, just seein' if there's more than one way. Thanks again for responding.

[insanesmooch]

If the loop you see to the north of the city is Briley, I'd try to avoid it.

I'd try 840. Maybe someone else can chime in or you can find out about it. I think they opened a new section up that you can could get to. But I know you can come in to Nashville on the west on I-40. Take 440 to I-65 South. Just past Franklin you will get on 840 East. It takes you to Lebanon. As long as you aren't coming in at rush hour, it won't be bad getting to 840. I've never really seen much traffic on 840. It's a state route that looks like an interstate (but at this point actually isn't considered one).

[hiknapster]

Go to tripadvisor.com. Go to the Nashville forum. Ask your question. They will help you.

[pioneer8]

Thanks to everyone.
You all have made this so much easier!

[ThePhoenix]

840 would be nice if it were completed on the west side of Nashville. Untile 840 is completed you might just want to try and time your drive. If you come in about mid day 11 or 12 you don't have to worry about that much traffic.

[KewGee]

Hey pioneer8,

I'm glad to hear there is someone else scared to drive through certain areas. My children think I'm the only one. The overpasses in Dallas scare me to death but I WON'T drive in Dallas anyway. I close my eyes when I'm the passenger in such a situation.

I don't know anything about Nashville, but I can surely relate to where you're coming from. Ugh!!

[pioneer8]

Originally Posted by amjb

Hey pioneer8,

I'm glad to hear there is someone else scared to drive through certain areas. My children think I'm the only one. The overpasses in Dallas scare me to death but I WON'T drive in Dallas anyway. I close my eyes when I'm the passenger in such a situation.

I don't know anything about Nashville, but I can surely relate to where you're coming from. Ugh!!

Tell your children that you are braver than some... I do not and have never driven the interstate... My husband does all the driving and is kind enough to spare me the agony (in the passenger seat) by going clear out of the way! (The things we do for love... ) Although, sometimes he gently requests that I read a book or something.(smile) There are things I do do that people are in awe about and they say, "You are so brave!" This usually has to do with my character/personality... (Which doesn't make a lot of sense because one is only brave if they try something they are afraid to do in the first place.) No, I don't like to drive on busy roads. I have a love/hate relationship with the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway... I hate to ride escalators and heights weaken my knees. Go ahead, laugh. Hey. There's room for all kinds, right?

[robivi3]

WOW! I live in Miami and was in Nashville during morning rush afew weeks ago. I thought it was great! I can relate though, I have a problem with heights. have a safe trip!