From the lights of New York City to artsy Harrisburg, the Shenandoah Valley to the Blue Ridge Mountains, this road trip takes you through some beautiful natural and historical sites on your way to Music City.

Major cities like New York and Nashville always attract tourists and locals alike—but the journey may even be more fun than the destination! This 14-hour drive can be broken up into smaller legs that you can enjoy over four or five days as you head from the big city into the south.

Pack up the car, grab some friends, and gather all the snacks. But don’t even think about hitting the road without the right car insurance and a great roadside assistance plan!

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Key trip details

Distance: 979 miles

Driving time: 16 hours and 5 minutes

Suggested length of trip: 2 to 3 days

Itinerary

New York City, NY

Harrisburg, PA

Lexington, VA

Boone, NC

Nashville, TN

Start in New York City, NY

Starting in NYC means embracing the hustle and bustle of the city that never sleeps.

New York

’s vibrant life—with pockets of calm, of course—means you’ll never be lost for something to do.

What to do In New York City

Elevated Acre

: If a pocket of calm is what you’re looking for, try the Elevated Acre. Located on Water Street, this plaza-park combo rests on a skyscraper above the financial district. It offers beautiful views and events like outdoor movies and festival dances.

Brooklyn Boulder

: Homebodies who want a vacation away from home? This road trip’s for you too! Stick it to the quarantine blues with a trip to Brooklyn Boulder in Queens or Brooklyn. This is an indoor rock-climbing area that lets you stretch your body without bugs zipping past your head.

Where to eat in New York City

Watermark Bar

($$): Watermark Bar sits on the East River and overlooks the Brooklyn Bridge, giving extra fairy vibes at nightfall. You can eat outdoors or within the glass houses lit in pretty blues and whites. With reasonable prices, great food, and ping pong tables, the casual scene is a great rest area before you hit the road.

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New York to Harrisburg, PA

171 miles, 3 hours 6 minutes

That calm puts you in a great headspace for the next leg of the trip. Travel almost 170 miles to end up in Harrisburg, the state capital of

Pennsylvania

. Harrisburg has a vibrant art scene and the homey feel of local businesses nestled in the city limits. With natural splendor like the Susquehanna River and ornate architecture like the Rotunda, there’s something for everyone to enjoy here.

Take I-78 W for the fastest route to Harrisburg.

What to do in Harrisburg

Water Golf

: City Island is known for its outdoor activities, from baseball games to carriage rides. For some friendly competitive fun, try the Water Golf course. You can cross its mini bridges and avoid the inner rivers, but do you have what it takes to win? That’s up to you!

Art Association of Harrisburg

: If you want culture, find it at the Art Association of Harrisburg. This gallery has a history dating as far back as 1926. Exhibits occur year-round and you can schedule a class on pottery, watercolor, photography, and other mediums to interact with.

Where to eat in Harrisburg

Broad Street Market

: The Broad Street Market is a staple in Harrisburg. While it’s not a traditional restaurant, the numerous vendors provide both grocery supplies and full meals at their stations. Browse the culture and diversity of Harrisburg just wandering through their aisles!

Harrisburg to Lexington, VA

246 miles, 3 hours 36 minutes

Grab your snacks and buckle up for a drive to picturesque Lexington,

Virginia

. Near the Shenandoah Valley, Lexington is a hotspot for the old and young with its gorgeous nature, fun museums, and cool restaurants.

Taking I-81 S is the fastest way to Lexington.

What to do in Lexington

Natural bridge State Park

: Stretch out those limbs on a hike through the Natural Bridge State Park. The primary trail takes you across a limestone bridge and provides a sneak peek into Saltpeter Cave. There’s a chance for fishing near Cedar Creek and a time to learn about the history of the Monacan Native Americans.

Museums for the history buff: Speaking of history, Lexington is chock-full of museums and houses that belonged to historical figures.

University Chapel & Museum

and

Miller’s House Museum

are both good options.

Where to eat in Lexington

Bistro on Main

($$): Try out Bistro on Main that’s located, as expected, on Lexington’s main street. With a two-dollar sign menu, the bistro offers southern cuisine like gumbo or even shrimp and grits. They also wander outside of the southern hospitality expectation with dishes like the NY strip.

Where to stay in Lexington

The Gin Hotel

: Planning on staying the night in Lexington? Get some well-earned rest at the Gin Hotel. You won’t even need to walk far, thanks to its location on Main Street. Cost per night: from $105

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Lexington to Boone, NC

227 miles, 3 hours 30 minutes

Located near the Blue Ridge Mountain, Boone is known for its forests, rivers, and everything in between. Explore the caverns, take a spin through the craft venues, and get to know the city named for famous pioneer and explorer Daniel Boone.

For Boone, take I-81 S and I-77 S.

What to do in Boone

Take a hike: You have plenty of options for outdoor adventures. Hike along the Blue Ridge Mountains, take a trip down the

Appalachian Ski Mountain

, or travel back in time with the Western-style

Tweetsie Railroad

Mysterium Escape Adventure

: For some interactive fun, visit the Mysterium Escape Adventure. As the main hub for escape rooms in Boone, MEA has themed spaces able to fit up to eight players. Immerse yourself in the mystery and find the clues needed to be free!

Where to eat in Boone

Sunrise Grille

($): Order takeout from Sunrise Grill, a cute restaurant that exudes a mom-and-pop feel. Try the scrambled eggs and hashbrowns, or opt for one of their many other lunch options. They currently specialize in takeout, which gives you extra flexibility if you want to enjoy your meal at a nearby park.

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Boone to Nashville, TN

337 miles, 5 hours 41 minutes

The last leg of the trip takes you six hours into Nashville,

Tennessee

. Nashville is known for its Country Music Hall of Fame, music row district, hot chicken and biscuits, and more. And while you’ve had loads of fun on your way here, there’s still plenty to do!

What to do in Nashville

Kayak Nashville: Various kayak adventures will allow you to stroll through downtown—on the water. Some good options are

Sunshine’s Adventures

and

River Queen Voyages

Nashville Mural Tour

: If you’d rather explore without waves, take part in a mural art tour to explore Nashville’s street art by golf cart.

Nashvox

: Become one with Nashville culture by trying your hand at a recording studio. Nashvox is a professional recording studio open to experienced musicians or newbies just wanting a taste of fun.

Where to eat in Nashville

Prince’s Hot Chicken

($): If you want to try the city’s iconic hot fried chicken, Prince’s Hot Chicken is the place for you. This eatery is known for its spice levels ranging from mild to ultra-hot, as well as large portion sizes for family food.

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Where to stay in Nashville

Hutton Hotel

: Celebrate reaching your destination with a restful night at the high-end Hutton. There’s a restaurant inside with Southern specialties, an intimate bar with live performances, chic rooms, and its Midtown location is great. Cost per night: from $139

When to go to Nashville

In terms of weather, the east coast hits the highs and lows on every scale.

If you want to travel in more temperate weather, consider an early fall or late spring schedule. You’ll enjoy average temperatures with less rain—perfect for enjoying the natural splendor that this road trip includes.

Why you need roadside assistance

Remember the first step of the road trip? Pack everything. That includes plans for roadside assistance!

Traveling through mountains and cities has its hurdles, and leaving unprepared makes you vulnerable to flat tires, engine lights, or locking your keys in the car. Nothing will kill that road trip vibe faster!

The roadside assistance program from

Jerry

includes everything you need for peace of mind while on the road: up to 10 miles of towing, jumpstarts, key replacement, fuel delivery, and more—all for just $6.99 for one car.

How to find cheap car insurance

You’ll also want to make sure your car insurance policy is up to date before you hit the road.

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