How to Get Around CMA Fest in Downtown Nashville
Uber, shuttles, parking, walking routes, and tips for navigating downtown Nashville during CMA Fest.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Date Published: May 31 2026
CMA Fest brings nearly 100,000 country music fans to downtown Nashville every day, which means getting around town takes a little more planning than usual. Between road closures, packed sidewalks, rideshare surge pricing, shuttle lines, and everyone leaving Nissan Stadium at the same time, transportation can quickly become one of the biggest headaches of the week.
The good news? If you know what to expect before you arrive, you can save yourself a lot of stress.
Whether you plan to use Uber, Lyft, the CMA Fest shuttle, public parking, or your own two feet, here’s what to know about getting around CMA Fest in downtown Nashville.
Start With Your Hotel Transportation Options
Before you make a full transportation plan, check with your hotel.
Many Nashville-area hotels offer shuttle service during CMA Fest, especially if they know a large number of guests are attending the festival. Some shuttles may run at set times throughout the day, while others may offer transportation before and after the nightly Nissan Stadium shows.
If your hotel offers a shuttle, ask:
Where does the shuttle pick up and drop off?
What time does it start running?
Does it run after the Nissan Stadium shows?
Is there a fee?
Do you need to reserve a spot?
What happens if the shuttle is full?
Even if your hotel advertises that it is “10 minutes from Broadway” or “10 minutes from Nissan Stadium,” remember that usually means by car with normal traffic. During CMA Fest, that same distance could mean a very long walk, a delayed rideshare, or a much longer trip through traffic.
Unless you are staying in the heart of downtown Nashville, do not assume you can easily walk everywhere.
Using Uber and Lyft During CMA Fest
Uber and Lyft can be helpful during CMA Fest, but they are not always as simple as opening the app and getting picked up wherever you are standing.
During the festival, rideshare pickup and drop-off areas are typically limited to designated locations around downtown. That means you may not be able to request a ride directly in front of a Broadway bar, restaurant, or venue.
For example, if you are at Ole Red, Whiskey Row, or another busy spot on Broadway, you should expect to walk to a designated rideshare area before your driver can pick you up.
Look for official signage throughout the festival footprint and check the CMA Fest app or map for updated transportation information.
Expect Rideshare Surge Pricing
Rideshare prices can jump dramatically during CMA Fest, especially at peak times.
The most expensive times will likely be:
After the nightly Nissan Stadium concerts
Late at night when Broadway is crowded
During rain or severe weather
Around major artist performances
When thousands of people are leaving downtown at once
A ride that might normally cost $25 or $30 could cost much more during surge pricing. In some cases, a 40-minute ride could climb close to $100 depending on demand, distance, and availability.
If you are relying on Uber or Lyft, build extra room into your budget and have a backup plan.
Are the CMA Fest Daytime Stages Walkable?
The daytime CMA Fest stages in downtown Nashville are walkable from one another, which makes it easy to move between performances throughout the day.
However, “walkable” does not always mean quick. Downtown sidewalks can get extremely crowded during CMA Fest, and security lines, street closures, crosswalks, and packed festival areas can slow you down.
If there is an artist you really want to see, give yourself plenty of extra time to get to that stage. Do not wait until a few minutes before their set starts to start walking, especially during peak afternoon and evening crowds.
CMA Fest Shuttle Information
The CMA Fest shuttle is one of the best transportation options if you are trying to get to or from Nissan Stadium and do not want to walk.
The general public CMA Fest shuttle begins running two hours before Nissan Stadium doors open and continues until 1:00 AM each day of the festival.
Shuttle pickup and drop-off locations include:
6th Ave between Korean Veterans Boulevard and Demonbreun
Commerce Street at Rep. John Lewis Way
Woodland Street at 1st Street
There is also an ADA shuttle available throughout the festival footprint. The ADA shuttle picks up at every shuttle stop and is available on-call at 888-825-7712 from 9:30 AM to 1:00 AM each day of CMA Fest.
If you are not up for walking long distances, the shuttle can be a great option. Nissan Stadium may look close on a map, but getting there still requires a lot of walking, standing, and navigating crowds.
Personally, I use the CMA Fest shuttle each year and highly recommend it. The longest I have waited has usually been around 20 minutes, and it can be much less stressful than fighting the post-show crowd on foot.
Walking To and From Nissan Stadium
Many CMA Fest attendees walk to Nissan Stadium for the nightly concerts. Pedestrians may use the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, Woodland Street Bridge, or Korean Veterans Boulevard Bridge.
Walking across the bridge can be a memorable part of the CMA Fest experience, especially with the downtown Nashville skyline views. However, walking back after the show is a very different experience than walking over before the concert begins.
When 60,000-plus fans are leaving Nissan Stadium at the same time, the pedestrian areas can become extremely congested. The bridge and sidewalks may be packed shoulder-to-shoulder, and it can take longer than expected to get back downtown.
If large crowds make you uncomfortable, or if you are traveling with kids, older adults, or anyone with mobility concerns, the CMA Fest shuttle may be a better option than walking back after the show.
If you do plan to walk, decide your route before the concert starts. Take your time, stay aware of your surroundings, and do not stop in the flow of foot traffic for photos.
Have a Plan for Leaving Nissan Stadium After the Show
Leaving Nissan Stadium is one of the most important parts of your CMA Fest transportation plan.
After the nightly concerts, everyone is trying to leave at once. That can mean long walks, crowded sidewalks, busy bridges, rideshare delays, surge pricing, heavy traffic, and longer waits for late-night food delivery.
Before the show starts, decide how you plan to get back. Know whether you are walking, using the CMA Fest shuttle, meeting a rideshare, or heading to a specific pickup spot.
Do not wait until you are tired, hungry, and standing in a crowd outside the stadium to figure it out.
If you are with a group, choose a meeting spot in advance in case you get separated. Cell service can get spotty when thousands of people are using their phones at the same time, so do not rely only on texting after the show.
Parking During CMA Fest
If you plan to drive downtown, reserve parking in advance whenever possible.
CMA Fest recommends using SpotHero, other public parking options, rideshare, or walking routes to get to Nissan Stadium. SpotHero allows you to reserve and pay for parking ahead of time, which can help you avoid circling downtown during the festival.
For 2026, due to construction around the new football stadium, do not assume you will be able to park at Nissan Stadium. Check the official CMA Fest transportation page, Nissan Stadium information, and your parking reservation details before heading downtown.
Also remember that road closures can affect how you get to your parking garage or lot. Give yourself more time than you think you need.
Flying Into Nashville for CMA Fest
If you are flying into Nashville International Airport, plan for extra time.
Beginning June 1, 2026, BNA is starting its Central Core Enhancement project, an 18-month renovation that will affect how some travelers move through the airport. BNA says the airport will continue operating as a single terminal, and passengers being picked up or dropped off by family and friends will continue to have curbside access.
Rideshare services at BNA operate from the airport’s ground transportation area, so follow airport signs and app instructions carefully when you land.
During CMA Fest week, the airport will be busy. Give yourself extra time for arrivals, departures, rideshare pickup, and traffic heading into downtown Nashville.
Food Delivery and Late-Night Logistics
After a long night at Nissan Stadium, it may sound easy to get back to your hotel and order pizza, Uber Eats, or DoorDash.
During CMA Fest, it is not always that simple.
Many restaurants may already be closed by the time the stadium show ends. Others may be overwhelmed with orders. Add in road closures, rideshare traffic, packed sidewalks, and thousands of hungry fans, and late-night food delivery can take a very long time.
In some cases, you could be waiting hours.
The better plan is to keep easy food in your hotel room. Think snacks, microwave meals, leftovers, protein bars, crackers, bottled water, or anything simple you can eat when you get back.
“Let’s just order food later” sounds easy until everyone in downtown Nashville has the same idea.
Be Careful Around Downtown Traffic
CMA Fest brings major foot traffic to downtown Nashville, but that does not mean every street is closed to vehicles.
Some streets will be blocked off for the festival, while others will remain open to traffic. Pay attention to signage, police direction, crosswalks, and traffic lights.
Do not step into an open street for a photo. Do not stop in the middle of the road for a group picture. It is not worth the risk.
Downtown will be crowded, loud, and exciting, but you still need to stay aware of your surroundings.
Have a Transportation Backup Plan
The biggest CMA Fest transportation tip is simple: do not rely on just one option.
Your rideshare could be too expensive. Your phone battery could die. Your hotel shuttle could fill up. The bridge could be too crowded. Your group could get separated. The restaurant you planned to order from could be closed.
Before you head downtown each day, know:
How you are getting there
How you are getting back
Where your rideshare pickup area is
Where the nearest shuttle stop is
Where your group will meet if you get separated
Whether your hotel has a shuttle
What you will eat after the show
What you will do if your first plan falls through
CMA Fest is much more enjoyable when you are not making every decision in the middle of a crowd.
Final Tips for Getting Around CMA Fest
Getting around CMA Fest takes patience, comfortable shoes, and a little planning. Use the official CMA Fest transportation maps, check your hotel shuttle options, consider the CMA Fest shuttle for Nissan Stadium, and expect rideshare delays and surge pricing.
Most importantly, give yourself extra time.
Downtown Nashville will be packed, but with a realistic plan, you can spend less time stressing about transportation and more time enjoying the music.
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