The Blues Highway is more than a road; it’s a journey through the heart of American music history. If you’ve ever dreamed of a Nashville to New Orleans road trip, Highway 61 is your ticket to exploring the soulful roots of the blues, rock ‘n’roll, and jazz. Most people take the journey in about six days, passing legendary recording studios, historic clubs, and cultural landmarks that shaped the soundtrack of generations.
Along the way, you’ll discover cities that each have their own rhythm. Nashville offers over 120 live music venues, Memphis brings the grit of Beale Street and the stories of Sun Studios, and Clarksdale showcases the Mississippi Delta’s raw energy. New Orleans, with its ornate mansions in the Garden District and lively Bourbon Street, has long inspired musicians. Each stop offers a chance to tap into the past while enjoying today’s vibrant music scene, making it an unforgettable adventure for couples, friends, or solo travelers.
When it’s time to rest along the Blues Highway, Vicksburg is the perfect place to stop. Our historic river city has multiple stops on the Mississippi Blues Trail, as well as Civil War landmarks, cultural attractions, and Southern charm. Staying at Oak Hall, our boutique hotel in Vicksburg, gives travelers the chance to connect more deeply with the area while enjoying comfort and relaxation before continuing their deep South road trip. Book your stay today!
Nashville to New Orleans Road Trip Along the Blues Highway
The Blues Highway, officially known as Highway 61, stretches 1400 miles from Wyoming, Minnesota, to New Orleans, Louisiana. This musically significant road is a must-visit destination for many music fans. The most traveled section is between Nashville and NOLA. The route winds through the Mississippi Delta, where countless musicians lived, performed, and influenced the world with their sound. Along the way, you’ll find markers, museums, and clubs that tell the story of how the blues shaped rock, soul, and jazz. Driving the Blues Highway is like traveling through a living museum of American culture.
The Blues emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, rooted in the African American experience of the Deep South. With its origins in spirituals, work songs, and field hollers, the music expressed both hardship and hope. During the Great Migration, when millions of African Americans moved north to cities like Chicago and Detroit, they carried the music with them. This migration along the Blues Highway spread the genre nationwide, influencing everything from jazz to rock ‘n’ roll, leaving an undeniable mark on American music history.
On your Nashville to New Orleans Deep South Road Trip, we recommend the following stops along the Blues Highway:
- Your trip begins in Nashville, where live music spills out of over 120 honky-tonks and iconic venues like the Ryman and Grand Ole Opry.
- Continue southwest to Memphis and visit the must-see Stax Museum of American Soul Music, where Aretha Franklin once recorded songs. Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash started at Sun Studios, “The Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” or visit the iconic Graceland. Don’t miss the live music on Beale Street.
- Your next stop on the Blues Highway is Tunica, Mississippi, known as “The Gateway to the Blues.” Visit the Gateway to the Blues Visitors Center and Museum to learn about the top Delta Blues landmarks.
- Continue on to Clarksdale, considered to be the birthplace of the blues. Here, you can visit the Ground Zero Blues Club, co-owned by Morgan Freeman. The club is styled after juke joints and is in a repurposed, unremodeled building. It has hosted local and international performers, including Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, and other recognizable talents.
- Also in Clarksdale, visit the legendary Crossroads, where legend has it Robert Johnson sold his soul to the Devil for a finely tuned guitar. The actual location of the deal is in dispute, but at Highways 61 and 49, you can visit a giant guitar sign that lays claim to the site of the deal with the Devil.
- The Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale is one of the most important stops on the Blues Highway for understanding the roots of American Music. Walking through the exhibits gives you a sense of how the Delta shaped the sound that went on to influence rock, soul, and jazz worldwide.
- Vicksburg is a meaningful stop on Highway 61, with its Civil War history and access to the Mississippi Blues Trail. Our city is halfway between Memphis and New Orleans, making it an ideal stop on the Mississippi Blues Highway.
- Carry on to your final destination, New Orleans, Louisiana. The French Quarter has long inspired writers, artists, and musicians, but the real action is found on Frenchman Street to take in live jazz at one of the dozen music hot spots.
The Best Boutique Hotel in Vicksburg for a Stop on Your Road Trip
After a day of exploring the highlights of the Blues Highway, you’ll appreciate returning to our Boutique Hotel in Vicksburg for a comfortable evening. Our Inn is located near all the city’s attractions yet feels like a private retreat where you can relax and recharge. Its historic charm and modern amenities make it the ideal lodging property to complement your journey. If you’d like an evening in, why not add a charcuterie board for two to your reservation? The assortment of cheeses, meats, and breads makes for a lovely light dinner.
Guests love the special touches, such as a stocked Butler’s Pantry, expansive porches, and a new saltwater pool. Our common areas are beautiful and inviting. Read in the lady’s drawing room or visit with other guests in the gentleman’s parlor. To make your stay even more memorable, we offer special packages for celebrations. Our anniversary or honeymoon package includes a two-night getaway with champagne and roses, charcuterie with wine, and breakfast in bed.
The guest rooms at our boutique hotel in Vicksburg are beautifully furnished with luxury mattresses, fine linens, and inviting decor. Whether you are planning a romantic getaway or a friends’ road trip, our lodging property offers comfort and character in equal measure. Staying here not only connects you with Vicksburg’s history, but also with the soulful energy of the Blues Highway itself. Reserve your room now.