Thanksgiving road trip
Chicago to Nashville for Thanksgiving
- Distance
- 470 mi
- Driving
- 7.5 hrs + traffic
- Halfway
- Indianapolis
The next Thanksgiving lands on Thursday, November 26, 2026. On I-65, the heaviest traffic usually hits the Tuesday and Wednesday before and the Sunday after. Drive Thanksgiving morning itself; roads are often the quietest of the week.
Plan this drive in XCRSNBook the halfway night early
Indianapolis sits about 182 miles from Chicago and 288 miles from Nashville. Holiday weekends sell out the rooms near the highway first.
Total trip cost
Gas uses today's regional averages along this route. Add the nightly rate you find to see the full total.
- Gas, about 470 miles
- Checking prices
- Lodging, 1 night
- Add a rate
- Estimated total
- -
Along the way
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- Louisville bourbon distilleries
- Mammoth Cave detour
Full drive guide for this route
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