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Southern loop

Tour Through the Deep South

From jazz and blues over the mountains to Southern charm.

Duration12 to 14 days
Distance1,275 mi (2,050 km)
Stages6
Best time to visitspring and autumn

The Deep South is a world of its own: slower, more musical, warmer. This loop links its highlights into one of the most atmospheric journeys in the USA. It starts with jazz in New Orleans, follows the music through the blues of Memphis to the country of Nashville, dives into the misty mountains of the Smokies and ends with the energy of Atlanta and the old Southern charm of Savannah.

The route

The legs are longer than in the compact West, the South is vast. Plan generously and enjoy the drives through endless green, past small Southern towns.

When to go

Spring and autumn are ideal: pleasantly warm, without the oppressive humidity and hurricane risk of high summer. Anyone who wants to experience Mardi Gras comes to New Orleans in February, but then you need to book early.

A journey for the senses

This trip thrives on music and food. Allow time for live concerts, long dinners and strolling through the neighborhoods. Here the journey is the destination, and the destination is usually the next good place to eat.

The route

The stages in order, along the real roads.

Loading the map transfers data (including your IP address) to OpenStreetMap.

Driving time only: around 25 hours over 5 stages.

Open route in Google Maps ↗

Stage by stage

The stops of the loop, in the recommended order.

  1. 1

    New Orleans 2 nights

    Jazz, the French Quarter and Creole cuisine. The rousing opening of the Deep South.

    Stay French Quarter, right in the middle

    See the destination ›
    New Orleans
  2. 2

    Memphis 1 night

    Drive here: 395 mi (634 km) · approx. 7.3 hrs

    The home of the blues, with Beale Street and Elvis' Graceland. A must-stop for music fans.

    Stay Downtown and Beale Street, right in the middle

    See the destination ›
    Memphis
  3. 3

    Nashville 2 nights

    Drive here: 210 mi (341 km) · approx. 3.9 hrs

    Music City: honky-tonks on Broadway and the Grand Ole Opry.

    Stay Downtown and Broadway, right in the middle

    See the destination ›
    Nashville
  4. 4

    Great Smoky Mountains 1 night

    Drive here: 225 mi (359 km) · approx. 4.4 hrs

    Misty ridgelines and quiet forests, the most-visited national park in the USA.

    Stay Pigeon Forge, at the north entrance (TN)

    See the destination ›
    Great Smoky Mountains
  5. 5

    Atlanta 1 night

    Drive here: 190 mi (307 km) · approx. 4.4 hrs

    The pulsing capital of the South with civil rights history.

    Stay Downtown, central

    See the destination ›
    Atlanta
  6. 6

    Savannah 2 nights

    Drive here: 250 mi (400 km) · approx. 4.6 hrs

    The crowning finish: oak-lined avenues, historic squares and deep Southern charm.

    Stay Historic District, in the center

    See the destination ›
    Savannah

Want more: side trips

With time to spare, add one of these stops.

The Natchez Trace

The historic scenic road from Natchez to Nashville, through endless forests, a peaceful alternative to the interstate.

Charleston

Savannah's elegant sister city on the South Carolina coast, a worthwhile detour or extension.

On to Florida

With more time, add the drive down from Savannah to Florida and Miami.

Tips for this route

The essentials for planning, short and honest.

What does the trip cost?

A rough guide for two people, flights per person.

Itemrough cost
Flights, round tripdepends on your origin
Rental car (2 weeks, incl. insurance)700 to 1,000 USD
Fuel (about 1,300 miles)180 to 250 USD
Accommodation (13 nights, double room)1,400 to 2,800 USD
Music, tours and foodindividual, generosity pays off here

Just a rough guide. Prices change, especially flights and park fees. Check current costs before booking.

Download and print

The route for your sat-nav, the park maps as PDF, or print the whole plan.

GPXRoute as GPXsat-nav, Komoot, Google Earth PDFPark mapGreat Smoky Mountains

Frequently asked questions

How long should I plan?

Twelve to fourteen days is comfortable. The legs in the South are long, so plan generously.

Which direction should I drive?

Usually from New Orleans in the west to Savannah in the east, following the music from jazz through blues to country.

When is the best time to travel?

Spring and autumn, mild and without the humidity and hurricane risk of high summer.

Is a normal car enough?

Yes, all the routes are well-built highways.

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