Want Middle Tennessee at peak color without touching an interstate? We've got a plan. Leave the dealership, head south toward Radnor Lake while the morning is still cool, pick up the Natchez Trace Parkway before noon, wind through Leiper's Fork in the early afternoon, and finish at the Loveless Cafe before the dinner crowd rolls in. Four stops. About 60 miles of driving round-trip. No interstate required.
The 2026 Tucson suits this kind of day, and not just because it's a compact SUV. The 2026 Tucson carries 38.7 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seats, so a cooler, a couple of hiking layers, and a camera bag all fit without a second thought. The Hybrid trim adds something else. The EPA rates the Tucson Hybrid at up to 38 mpg combined on the base Blue SE, which means a day like this costs you almost nothing in fuel. Worth knowing before you leave the driveway.
One honest note about the Tucson. It isn't a trail vehicle. It's front-wheel-drive or available HTRAC AWD on the gas trim, and the ground clearance is right for paved and well-maintained gravel. Every stop on this route keeps you on paved road or a manicured trail. If you're planning a muddier adventure, we'd point you toward something different. For a day like this, it fits.
What's the Route?
Four stops loop out from Brentwood and back, opening at Radnor Lake and finishing at the Loveless Cafe, with about 60 miles of two-lane driving strung in between and no interstate the whole way, so the driving itself becomes part of the day rather than the dull stretch between the good parts.
| Stop | Drive Time from Previous | What to Do | What to Pack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radnor Lake State Park | 10 min from Brentwood | Morning trail walk, wildlife spotting | Layers, comfortable shoes, water bottle |
| Natchez Trace Parkway (Double Arch Bridge, milepost 438) | 20 min from Radnor | Scenic drive south, pull over at the bridge overlook | Camera, downloaded offline map |
| Leiper's Fork Village | 15 min south on the Trace | Lunch, antiquing, live music if you time it right | Cash for small shops |
| Loveless Cafe (Hwy 100, near Trace terminus) | 20 min back north | Famous biscuits, a full meal, a proper send-off | Appetite and patience if there's a wait |
The speed limit on the Natchez Trace is 50 mph and there are no commercial trucks, no billboards, and almost no traffic on a weekday. It is one of the better drives in the region.
The Stops, One at a Time
Stop 1: Radnor Lake State Park
Start here, first thing. Radnor Lake is a 1,368-acre state natural area sitting about 8 miles south of downtown Nashville, technically in the Brentwood and Oak Hill area. The trails open 30 minutes before sunrise. On a clear October morning, the ridgeline light through the hardwoods is worth an early start.
The Tucson Hybrid's 38 mpg EPA-estimated combined rating means you're barely touching the tank on the way here. Park in the main lot on Otter Creek Road. The lake loop is about 2.7 miles and flat enough for most fitness levels. The Ganier Ridge Trail runs above the lake if you want more elevation and better canopy views. Herons, deer, and the occasional otter are regular sightings this time of year.
No admission fee. Day-use only, so leave before sunset.
Stop 2: The Natchez Trace Parkway
From Radnor, take Old Hickory Boulevard west to Highway 100, and you'll hit the Natchez Trace Parkway's northern terminus inside of 20 minutes. The Double Arch Bridge at milepost 438 is your first real stop, a concrete double-arch structure over Birdsong Hollow that's worth a pull-over and a few minutes on foot at the overlook before you drive it.
We've noticed how the Tucson handles roads like the Trace. A 2.5-liter engine producing 187 horsepower pairs with an 8-speed automatic, and the shifts are noticeably smoother than the CVT-based competitors in this class. On a two-lane road where you're rolling at 45 mph and occasionally speeding up to pass a cyclist, that responsiveness is something you feel.
Cell service is thin on the Trace. The standard 12.3-inch touchscreen handles Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Bluetooth audio keeps things running even when the signal drops. Download an offline map before you leave.
Stop 3: Leiper's Fork Village
Browse our Tucson inventory before you go, then on the day, turn off the Trace at the Leiper's Fork exit (follow signs for Leiper's Fork Road). The village itself is a short drive from the parkway. Small, unhurried, and charming, with a row of antique shops, a few restaurants, and depending on the day, live music outside one of the storefronts.
Lunch here is the right call. The pace matches the day you're having. The Tucson's 74.8 cubic feet of maximum cargo space (seats folded flat) becomes relevant if you find a piece of furniture you didn't expect to buy.
Stop 4: Loveless Cafe
Head back north on the Trace to Highway 100. The Loveless Cafe sits right at the northern terminus, and it has been operating at this location since 1951. Order the biscuits. Order the country ham. The line can stretch on a weekend afternoon, so either time it for a late lunch (around 2:30) or arrive early before the post-hike crowd.
Call that the natural end of the day. Highway 100 connects back to Nashville and Brentwood in under 30 minutes.
Tweak It to Your Crew
The route above works as the default, but it bends easily around who's riding along, whether that's young kids who need flat trails, a couple who wants extra time on the Trace, or a leaf-peeping crew chasing the densest color, and a few small swaps cover all three without rebuilding the day.
Explore financing options if you're still deciding on a Tucson before the trip. On the route itself, if you're traveling with young kids, skip the Ganier Ridge Trail at Radnor and do the flat lake loop instead. It's stroller-accessible. Leiper's Fork is genuinely kid-friendly, especially if there's music.
If it's just two of you and you want more time on the Trace, continue south past milepost 427 to Garrison Creek, where there are picnic tables and a gurgling creek that's easy to sit beside for an hour. Add 30 to 40 minutes. The Tucson Hybrid's range on a tank, which the EPA puts at roughly 521 miles on the base Blue SE, means fuel won't be a concern on an extended route.
Plan the trip for the first weekend of November if the fall foliage is the whole point and you want the densest color. Around 70-plus counties in Middle Tennessee reach peak then according to Tennessee's 2026 foliage forecasts.
Worth flagging before you leave, the Natchez Trace is closed to commercial vehicles and has no gas stations on the parkway itself. Fill up before you get on. The Tucson's 14.3-gallon tank gives you plenty of buffer, but it's easier to think about it at home than in Leiper's Fork.
