USDOT Announces New America's Byways® Designations

Federal Highway Administration
16 February 2021

FHWA 03-21
Contact: Doug Hecox
Tel.: 202-366-0660

WASHINGTON – Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) officials today announced 49 new designations to the America's Byways® collection, including 15 All-American Roads (AAR) and 34 National Scenic Byways (NSB) in 28 states. This increases the number of America's Byways® to 184 in 48 states.

"Through their many unique qualities, each of these new additions to the National Scenic Byways program helps America’s roads tell our national story," said FHWA Executive Director Tom Everett. "These special routes offer travelers exciting new opportunities to explore the nation, from coast to coast or close to home."

Created in 1991, the program is a collaborative effort to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) recognizes certain roads based on one or more archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities.

“Scenic roads have always been popular with travelers, and support a wide array of area businesses too,” Everett added. “Whether hotels, eateries or gas stations, Scenic Byways and All-American Roads support the nation’s small business community and are economic drivers for entire regions.”

The “Reviving America's Scenic Byways Act of 2019,” enacted in 2019, required the U.S. Transportation Secretary to solicit nominations for designation of All-American Roads and National Scenic Byways, resulting in 63 nominations. Each application was reviewed by subject-matter experts on historic preservation, design, cultural resources, and visual impacts, tourism and economic development, highway safety, federal lands, and Native American history and culture. The U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Commerce also provided input.

USDOT urges all Americans to follow CDC guidance on safe travel during the COVID-19 public health emergency and is announcing these designations now to allow local tourism boards and small businesses to prepare for when it is safe to travel freely again. The public is encouraged to explore these newly designated distinct and diverse roads once it is safe to do so.

The following are the 2021 AAR and NSB designations:

Additional information about the America's Byways® collection can be found at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways/.

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