About this tour
When Ben from our team ran this Nashville-to-Memphis day trip, it was a solid bit of road theatre. You get a private vehicle with up to six other travellers, a Tennessee-savvy guide, and a long but manageable haul between two music capitals. The drive itself is half the appeal — rolling countryside, proper chat, and the option to karaoke on the way if the mood takes. Once in Memphis, you're steered through Graceland and Sun Studio (tickets separate), then cut loose to hit Beale Street, the Civil Rights Museum, or watch the famous duck march at the Peabody. It's a full 12–14 hours door-to-door, but covers serious ground for anyone chasing American roots music and history.
Highlights
- 3.5-hour drive each way with a guide who actually knows Tennessee stories
- Graceland and Sun Studio stop at your own pace — you buy tickets separately
- Downtown Memphis walking tour built into the itinerary
- Flexible afternoon: Beale Street, Mississippi River views, Civil Rights Museum, or your call
- Air-conditioned coach with WiFi, perfect for a long day
- Karaoke on board at no extra cost if your group wants it
What to expect
You'll meet your guide early and settle into a spacious private coach for the long run south. Ben found the drive genuinely interesting — your guide isn't just ferrying you, they're dropping Tennessee lore and pointing out the landscape as it shifts. After 3.5 hours, you're in Memphis. The morning hits Graceland (you'll queue and pay for entry separately) and Sun Studio, the cramped recording shack where Elvis, Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis all recorded. Both are quick enough to move through, though Graceland draws crowds.
After a mini-tour of downtown, you get real choice. The afternoon is yours to roam: climb the Bass Pro Pyramid for river views, hang on Beale Street (it's touristy but lively), dive into the Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel if that calls you, or grab barbecue. The guide will suggest spots and help you time it so everyone's back for the drive home. It's a long day, but it breathes — not rushed.
Good to know
This is proper road-trip stuff for music lovers and history heads. Private transport means no bus-stop tourist hassle, and a good guide makes the drive fly. Graceland and Sun Studio are pilgrimage sites if you care about rock and roll roots. The flexibility in Memphis lets groups split up or stay together. Families with prams are welcome; service animals too.
Graceland and Sun Studio tickets aren't included, so budget extra. The day is long — 12–14 hours total — which can wear on younger kids or anyone who hates sitting. Memphis heat in summer is proper warm. Beale Street is rowdy and geared toward tourists. You'll need decent walking shoes for the Memphis leg. Peak tourist season means Graceland queues can be hefty.
Group up to seven. Inclusions are transport, guide, and a downtown Memphis walk. Bring your own water, snacks, cash for meals and attractions. No hidden costs beyond attraction fees. Accessible for most fitness levels, though the day's length and walking are factors.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.