September 3, 2025 Buying Billboard Advertising
When you picture Tennessee, chances are you envision the rhythmic heartbeat of music in Nashville, the electric blues of Memphis, and the scenic ridgelines sweeping through Chattanooga. Each of these cities hums with unique energy, propelling currents of locals and travelers along robust highways and busy corridors every day. Thousands of brands compete for attention in this moving landscape—and among the most time-tested ways to make an impression is with a well-placed billboard advertising.
Outdoor advertising in Tennessee has a rich history rooted in the flow of its major interstate networks: I-40, which slices the state east to west; I-24, bridging Chattanooga and Nashville; and I-65, which carries travelers north-south through Nashville. With these arteries funneling millions past bustling exits, tourist hotspots, and urban centers, a billboard advertising in Tennessee delivers more than just visibility: it helps anchor brands in the heart of Tennessee life.
Across the state, billboard advertising in key cities—Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, and even smaller Athens—translate into messaging power and tangible reach. Whether the goal is launching a new franchise in Music City or sustaining awareness for a local event in Athens, knowing where and how to advertise is half the battle.
Rates for billboard advertising in Tennessee vary by city, board size, and format. The most impactful—those iconic, 48×14-foot bulletin boards perched above highway traffic—command premium prices, especially near high-traffic areas such as downtown Nashville or Memphis’s airport corridor.
Statewide Range:
These rates reflect a vibrant market, flexible enough to meet both ambitious statewide marketing plans and targeted local pushes. Notably, several providers, including innovators like Blip Billboards, have introduced flexible daily budgeting tools. This allows advertisers—even those with more modest budgets or short-term campaign needs—to access prime locations without a minimum campaign commitment.
Let’s not forget, billboard advertising pricing is shaped by multiple factors:
Every Tennessee city brings a distinctive flavor to billboard advertising, informed by traffic flow, demographics, and unique local attractions.
Nashville’s draw extends well beyond residents—tourists visiting the Grand Ole Opry, Music Row, and sporting events elevate traffic counts dramatically on I-40, I-65, and the city’s downtown arteries. Billboard advertising campaigns here have the opportunity to shape perception at scale.
Nashville’s value proposition remains strong. With intense foot and vehicle traffic, even a modest campaign can command outsized impressions. Be strategic with placement: prioritize boards overlooking tourist routes, college campuses (Vanderbilt, Tennessee State), and near major event venues like Nissan Stadium.
Memphis, known for blues, barbecue, and the mighty Mississippi, possesses a uniquely accessible outdoor ad environment. Interstate 40, I-55, and I-240 fuse downtown to sprawling suburbs and the region’s airports, ensuring steady streams of eyes.
While Memphis digital boards cost nearly three times more than static, their interactive potential and curated locations near Poplar Avenue and Beale Street often prove worthwhile for ambitious campaigns.
This smaller Tennessee market tells a different story. Athens is ideal for brands aiming to dominate a more intimate commuter core—local residents, area families, and travelers along US-11 or I-75.
Comparatively, Athens offers lower entry costs but also a significantly smaller audience. Here, location choice is critical: focus on access points serving major shopping or event areas, and capitalize on weekday commuter traffic where possible.
| Location | Format | Cost (4 Weeks) | CPM / Impressions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | Static Bulletins | $2,950–$5,170 | — |
| Tennessee | Digital Bulletins | $3,550–$5,550 | — |
| Tennessee | Medium Posters | $725–$1,175 | — |
| Tennessee | Medium Digital | $1,360–$1,895 | — |
| Nashville | Static Bulletin | ~$2,500 | — |
| Nashville | Digital Bulletin | ~$3,300 | — |
| Nashville | Poster (Static/Dig) | ~$1,250 each | Avg cost ~$3,717 |
| Memphis | Static (Avg) | ~$862 | CPM ~$3.25; Impr ~247M |
| Memphis | Digital (Avg) | ~$2,760 | CPM ~$3.78 |
| Athens | Static (Avg) | ~$750 | CPM ~$4.96; Impr ~56K |
| Athens | Digital (Avg) | ~$895 | CPM ~$7.83 |
No matter the market, tracking outdoor advertising outcomes requires modern tools and creative measurement strategies. In Tennessee, affordable CPMs and detailed traffic analytics open the door to precise reporting and ongoing campaign improvement.
Best practices for campaign measurement:
A smart blend of these tactics transforms outdoor advertising from a “set it and forget it” tactic to a dynamic, increasingly data-driven investment.
Placement is everything when it comes to maximizing returns on your billboard advertising spend. Here are tried-and-true site targeting priorities across the state:
Nashville:
Memphis:
Chattanooga:
Athens:
When siting your campaign, always cross-reference local traffic stats, zoning restrictions, and demographic data. In Nashville, for example, digital boards must feature at least eight seconds per image; local codes shape what’s possible, just as much as the audience.
Tennessee offers a unique value proposition for outdoor advertisers by consistently delivering CPMs well below the national average—often as low as $1.70–$1.90 in core cities versus $5+ nationwide.
Key Value Points for Tennessee CPMs:
| Format | National Average CPM | Tennessee Metro CPM Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Static Bulletin | ~$5.22 | ~$1.70–1.90 |
| Digital Bulletin | ~$10–15 | ~$3.78–$7.83 (Memphis/Athens) |
With these rates, Tennessee advertisers can stretch their budgets, execute test campaigns across towns, and fine-tune creative based on measurable outcomes.
Successful campaigns don’t rest on placements alone. Advanced tracking tools and real-world measurement are elevating what billboards can deliver:
A QR code might spark a website visit in Memphis the day it goes live, or a retail chain could correlate spikes in Athens store traffic to a freshly mounted highway poster. These measurable correlations create strong justification for continued outdoor investment.
Campaigns succeed most powerfully in Tennessee when they combine strategic placement with creative measurement, festival timing, and tech-enabled tracking. Through smart investment, any brand—from regional powerhouses to local independents—can stand tall on Tennessee’s highways and main streets, catching the eyes of Tennesseans wherever the road may lead.
From Nashville’s I-40 corridors to Memphis’s busy routes and Knoxville’s growing hubs, Tennessee billboards advertising delivers unmatched exposure. Connect with Justin at [email protected] to secure billboard advertising locations that put your brand in front of thousands daily.
