18 Scenic Historic Highways Designated for Their Cultural Importance

Exploring scenic highways is more than just a road trip. These storied routes hold America’s history, its local legends, and dazzling landscapes all in one journey. The highways and byways listed here celebrate cultural significance, historic tales, and natural beauty, inviting travelers to slow down, explore, and experience the heart of the United States. Ready to be inspired for your next adventure? Here’s your guide to 18 highways that are important, memorable, and absolutely worth a drive.

Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia & North Carolina)

The Blue Ridge Parkway is famous for its rolling blue mountains, historic homesteads, and endless overlooks. Called “America’s Favorite Drive” for a reason, this 469-mile route winds through Cherokee history, old Appalachian settlements, and national parks. It’s beautiful any time of year, especially when the fall colors light up. Learn more about what makes the Blue Ridge Parkway special from the Federal Highway Administration.

Great River Road (Minnesota to Louisiana)

The mighty Mississippi shapes the story here. This All-American Road travels through 10 states, connecting river towns, Native American sites, vibrant food cultures, and Civil War battlegrounds. The Minnesota portion is a highlight for history buffs and leaf peepers alike. Want the full scoop on its unique treasures? Dig into the byway guide from America’s Byways and this Minnesota-specific cultural attractions overview.

Route 66 (Chicago to Santa Monica)

Few highways are as iconic as Route 66. Nicknamed the “Mother Road,” it was the path for dreamers, migrants, and postwar families heading west. Along the way, you’ll discover neon-lit diners, quirky roadside attractions, and the living spirit of 20th-century America. Check out the official designation details for a sense of its national importance.

Pacific Coast Highway (California)

Drive with the Pacific on your left and rugged cliffs on your right on this National Scenic Byway. The Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) winds through historic missions, film-famous seaside towns, and stunning coastal parks. Every mile offers a new photo opportunity or cultural stop, like the 18th-century Spanish missions and Monterey’s Cannery Row. Find it on the ultimate scenic drives list.

Natchez Trace Parkway (Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee)

Wander a 10,000-year-old trail used by Native Americans, explorers, and early settlers. Today’s Natchez Trace Parkway weaves past Civil War sites, ancient mounds, and preserved forests filled with wildflowers. Grab insights and tips about its storied route from America’s Byways.

Historic Columbia River Highway (Oregon)

Built for sightseeing back in 1917, the Historic Columbia River Highway was America’s first scenic highway. It still delivers—snaking past waterfalls, stone bridges, and panoramic viewpoints above the Columbia Gorge. Look for interpretive signs explaining the highway’s engineering and its importance to the Pacific Northwest.

Lincoln Highway (Times Square to San Francisco)

The Lincoln Highway was America’s first cross-country route. It was the 1910s version of an interstate, linking the Atlantic and Pacific. Along the way, travelers pass through rural church towns, ghost towns, and early auto-culture landmarks. Get an in-depth look at its impact in this guide to historic highways.

Kancamagus Highway (New Hampshire)

Known locally as “the Kanc”, this New England gem cuts through the White Mountains with sweeping views, wild rivers, and covered bridges. Fall brings blazing foliage, but history is on full display year-round with stops at old logging camps and interpretive sites detailing the region’s past. New Hampshire’s Scenic & Cultural Byways program outlines its highlights.

All-American Road: Beartooth Highway (Montana & Wyoming)

At nearly 11,000 feet, the Beartooth Highway is loved for its switchbacks and high-country beauty. But it’s also a journey through the cultural landscapes of the Northern Rockies, home to Native American trails, pioneer routes, and wild mountain stories. Ranked as one of the best scenic drives in the USA, it’s a must for adventure seekers.

San Juan Skyway (Colorado)

Circle the San Juan Mountains on this 236-mile loop through mining towns, Ancestral Puebloan sites, and unbeatable alpine scenery. Silverton and Durango preserve Wild West legacies while Mesa Verde tells ancient stories in cliff dwellings. The National Scenic Byways list highlights its extraordinary blend of natural and cultural resources.

Florida Keys Scenic Highway (Florida)

From Key Largo to Key West, this highway skips across turquoise waters on a string of bridges, connecting historic shipwreck sites, pirate legends, and Hemingway’s old haunts. The laid-back mix of Conch Republic culture and natural beauty draws travelers year-round.

Trail of the Ancients (Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico)

This byway celebrates the Southwest’s ancestral past and living Native cultures. Explore ruins, rock art, and ancient villages, as well as Navajo, Ute, Hopi, and Zuni communities. Learn how this highway preserves a unique part of America’s story with the Byways Across America resource.

Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail (Alabama)

Walk or drive the road where the Civil Rights Movement made history in 1965. Stops along the 54-mile route include museums, interpretive centers, and signs detailing the march for voting rights. Its designation as a scenic and historic byway protects key landscapes and educational sites tied to American progress. Details can be explored through the National Scenic Byways list.

Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway (South Dakota)

Known for its otherworldly scenery, the Badlands Loop also reveals indigenous history and fossil-rich deposits. Visitor centers along the road share stories of Lakota people, bison hunts, and paleontological wonders beneath jagged peaks.

Highway 61 North Shore (Minnesota)

Minnesota’s most photogenic highway hugs Lake Superior with lighthouses, small harbor towns, and waterfalls galore. A highlight is the area around Split Rock Lighthouse, a beacon of maritime history and North Shore culture. For tips on the entire stretch and best stops, dive into this guide to Highway 61 on the North Shore.

Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway

This byway follows the southern shore of Lake Superior, merging small towns with Ojibwe culture, rocky beaches, and the region’s maritime history. The Wisconsin Scenic Byways Program details its cultural and environmental significance—perfect for a Midwest adventure.

Route 12 Utah (Scenic Byway 12 – A Journey Through Time)

Experience Utah’s Scenic Byway 12, where the red rocks, ancient petroglyphs, and Native trade routes line your path. Stops in Escalante and Boulder offer glimpses into Mormon pioneer history and the oldest civilizations that called these lands home.

Historic Route 20 (Boston, MA to Newport, OR)

Stretching coast to coast, U.S. Route 20 is the nation’s longest road. It cuts through classic Main Streets, industrial heritage sites, and natural wonders. Historic towns along the way—including Yellowstone gateway communities—show off the changing face of America from old mill sites to modern Americana.

Conclusion

Scenic and historic highways offer more than just good views. They connect us to the roots of America, its cultures, struggles, and natural wonders. Whether you care about history, scenic beauty, or quirky small-town stops, these 18 highways provide memories you won’t forget. Next time you’re dreaming of a road trip, skip the interstate and chase the stories waiting on a designated byway.

Planning a Midwest adventure? Dive deeper into Highway 61’s North Shore or explore more trip ideas on DayTripper for practical tips and new inspiration. Happy travels—don’t forget your camera!