Tennessee Route 155: Westbound in Nashville

Tennessee Route 155, better known to locals as Briley Parkway, serves as a key semi-loop freeway around Nashville, offering a convenient way to skirt the downtown core while connecting major interstates and highways. Our westbound journey along TN-155 begins near the heart of Music City, just off McGavock Pike by the bustling Opry Mills shopping complex and the Grand Ole Opry House — two of Nashville’s top attractions for tourists and locals alike. From here, Briley Parkway starts off heading north but quickly curves west as it crosses the Cumberland River, setting the tone for a drive that balances urban infrastructure with glimpses of Tennessee’s natural beauty.

After crossing the Cumberland, we encounter the first of many major interchanges — U.S. Highway 31E (Ellington Parkway), which provides direct access to East Nashville and downtown. A short stretch later, we reach Interstate 65, an essential north–south artery that slices through the city. This stretch of Briley Parkway, wedged between I-65 and I-24, moves through some of Nashville’s more industrial and commercial zones but still keeps traffic flowing smoothly thanks to its controlled-access design. There are few stops, but plenty of options to hop onto other important routes, making it a favored path for commuters and freight alike.

Continuing west, TN-155 meets U.S. Highway 41 and then Interstate 24. If you’re watching closely, you’ll notice the nearby neighborhoods of Madison and East Germantown slipping past in the distance — both rapidly evolving areas known for local eateries, craft breweries, and creative culture. After the I-24 interchange, the parkway weaves across the northern edge of Metro Nashville, skirting neighborhoods like Bordeaux and Joelton as it intersects U.S. 431 and U.S. 41A (Clarksville Pike). While these roads offer gateways into residential communities, our route stays on the fast-moving Briley Parkway, curving gently as it transitions from northbound to westbound to southbound.

At the junction with Tennessee State Route 2 (which overlaps with U.S. 70), Briley Parkway bends again, this time to the south. This southern portion of the loop gradually brings us closer to West Nashville and the city’s sprawling west side. Though technically still within Metro limits, this stretch feels more suburban, with lower traffic volumes and more tree-lined sections. The road remains elevated in places, offering brief but striking views of the hills that cradle the city’s west side.

The drive ends at the interchange with Interstate 40, just past the Charlotte Pike exit. From here, drivers can continue west toward Memphis or east into downtown Nashville and beyond. This junction also connects with the Nations neighborhood — a revitalized area known for murals, industrial architecture, and some of the best casual dining in the city.

While this 16-mile route is a practical bypass around downtown, it’s also a crash course in the diversity of Nashville’s urban sprawl — from commercial zones to bedroom communities, all threaded together by this high-speed beltway.