Gridlock Strands Travelers at BNA Airport Amid Unexpected Traffic Surge

Lead Travelers at Nashville International Airport were stranded for hours on Tuesday as entrance and exit roadways near the terminal ground to a halt under the weight of heavy passenger volume, local roadwork and a Tuesday afternoon crash on Terminal Drive.

Nut Graf The unprecedented gridlock, compounded by a major convention in town and ongoing milling and paving on Donelson Pike, left passengers abandoning rental cars and walking to the terminal. Airport officials and state patrols scrambled to restore normal flow, and an after-action review has been launched to prevent future disruptions.

Traffic Standstill Outside Terminal Shortly after midday, motorists encountered near-impenetrable backups on both Terminal Drive and the I-40 ramps, even after the crash that prompted state traffic alerts was cleared. One passenger described the scene as “a big landlocked parking lot” where vehicles barely moved.

Rideshare Costs Soar Rideshare fares surged from typical rates of $40-$70 to upwards of $200 as drivers canceled trips they could not quickly complete. “It’s like $239 to go to Murfreesboro from Nashville,” said one traveler, who ultimately resorted to taxi services.

Passengers on the Move

  • Some abandoned vehicles entirely, running on foot to catch flights.
  • Rental car return lines stretched for over two hours, prompting frustrated guests to trek to Donelson Pike.
  • A group arriving from Dallas reported waiting more than two hours for a canceled rideshare before giving up on airport pickup.

Airport Authority Responds The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority deployed Metro Police and Tennessee Highway Patrol officers to direct traffic and alleviate congestion. By late evening, officials confirmed that volume and flow had returned to normal levels for an average day of 70,000 passenger movements, and pledged a thorough after-action review.

Looking Ahead: Titans Day Festivities Despite the day’s travel woes, BNA kicked off its Celebrate Nashville Week programming with Tennessee Titans Day, featuring special appearances and promotions throughout the terminal.