If you’re heading to Nashville this summer, you might just take the Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway to get there.
A portion of State Route 386, also known as Vietnam Veterans Boulevard, has been designated in memory of the late Turning Point USA founder and conservative media personality.
The new name comes following the passage of an omnibus bill last month that designates the 15-mile stretch of highway in Sumner County starting at the Davidson County line as the “Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway” in order to “honor the prominent political activist, media personality, and true pioneer for freedom of speech who co-founded the conservative student organization Turning Point USA and served as its executive director until his assassination in 2025.”
After the signs were erected, state Rep. Johnny Garrett praised the designation as “a tribute to the man who awakened a renewed love of country and respect for the Constitution in our young people.”
“For years to come, Tennesseans who travel this highway will be reminded of Charlie’s legacy. We will continue carrying the torch for the principles he championed!”
Conservative activist Riley Gaines also celebrated the renaming of the highway in her hometown:
“The highway in my hometown has officially been dedicated as the Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway. I drive this stretch almost every day. Beautiful tribute that the entire North Nashville community will see for years to come.”
As you can probably imagine though, some people aren’t happy about the section of road honoring Kirk. Over on Reddit, commenters blasted the name and even called for the sign to be vandalized:
“It would be a shame if someone spray painted it in the middle of the night”
“Wow, dedicating a highway to some podcaster who pushed his old and outdated Iron Age religion on everyone. What a wild time we live in. What a waste of tax dollars.”
“Be a real shame if it went missing, and then kept on going missing every time it was replaced…”
“I have a feeling it won’t last long until it’s damaged in some way, shape, or form. I think this will offend too many people.”
“Great sign for target practice”
“Nothing a cutting torch can’t take care of!”
A spokesman for the Tennessee Department of Transportation clarified that the road wasn’t actually “renamed,” but was merely given a memorial designation in honor of Kirk. According to state policy,
“The fees to fabricate and install the required signs are usually required to be non‐state sourced and are sometimes paid for by local governments, the bill sponsors, or family members of the honoree. Some honorees such as a soldiers or police officers killed in the line of duty will have the fees for the signs covered by the State.”
While it’s unclear who paid for the Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway signs, the bill passed by the legislature makes no provision for state funds to be used for the signs, meaning it would have had to have been paid for by local governments, Kirk’s family, or some other outside entity.
