America's Byways® Press Room
America's Byways Fact Sheet
What is the National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP)?
The National Scenic Byways Program is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The Program is a grass-roots collaborative effort established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. The program was established in 1991. Since 1992, the National Scenic Byways Program has provided over $388 million in funding for 2,832 State and nationally designated byway projects in 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.
The U.S. Secretary of Transportation recognizes certain roads as America's Byways® -- All-American Roads or National Scenic Byways-based on one or more archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic intrinsic qualities.
What is the Vision and Mission of the National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP)?
The NSBP Vision is "to create a distinctive collection of American roads, their stories and treasured places." The Mission is "to provide resources to the byway community in creating a unique travel experience and enhanced local quality of life through efforts to preserve, protect, interpret, and promote the intrinsic qualities of designated Byways."
What does the term America's Byways mean?
America's Byways® is the umbrella term used for marketing the collection of distinct and diverse roads designated by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation. There are currently 151 America's Byways in 46 States. This includes 121 National Scenic Byways, 31 All-American Roads, and 21 multi-State Byways. America's Byways® are gateways to adventures where no two experiences are the same. The FHWA invites you to COME CLOSER to America and learn their stories.
When were the first roads Nationally designated?
The U.S. Secretary of Transportation designated the first roads as National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads in 1996. Byways have been nationally designated in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2005. In 2005, 45 roads were recognized as new America's Byways, extensions of existing Byways, or changed designation from National Scenic Byway to All-American Road.
What is the difference between National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads?
All the roads nationally designated by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation are considered part of the America's Byways® collection. To be designated as a National Scenic Byway, a road must possess at least one of these six intrinsic qualities (historic, cultural, natural, scenic, recreational, archaeological). The features contributing to the distinctive characteristics of the corridor's intrinsic qualities must possess regional significance. To receive an All-American Road designation, a road must possess multiple intrinsic qualities that are nationally significant and contain one-of-a-kind features that do not exist elsewhere. The road must also be considered a "destination unto itself." That is, the Byway must be the primary destination for a trip, and must provide an exceptional travel experience.
For information on the National Scenic Byways Program, visit www.bywaysonline.org.
To learn more about the America's Byways® around the country, visit www.byways.org.
