Planning a Scenic Byway Road Trip: How America's Byways Work and How to Drive Them

Some road trips are about getting somewhere.

Others are about the road itself.

A scenic byway turns a drive into the main event, with views, small towns and history along the way.

The United States has an official program that names some of its most special roads.

This guide explains how that program works, how to find a byway and how to drive one well.

It is based on information from the America's Byways program of the Federal Highway Administration.

It also draws on planning advice from the National Park Service and the National Weather Service.

What America's Byways are

America's Byways is the umbrella name for a group of roads chosen by the US Secretary of Transportation.

The program's site describes 184 distinct and diverse roads in that collection.

The group includes two kinds of designation.

  • National Scenic Byways. These roads stand out for at least one special quality.
  • All-American Roads. These roads stand out for two or more qualities of national importance.

Both kinds are designed to be driven and enjoyed, not just passed through.

The six intrinsic qualities

The program judges roads by what it calls intrinsic qualities.

There are six of them.

  • Archeological. Traces of past peoples and cultures along the route.
  • Cultural. Traditions, crafts, music and local life.
  • Historic. Places and buildings linked to important events.
  • Natural. Landforms, plants, wildlife and water.
  • Recreational. Things to do, like hiking, boating or skiing.
  • Scenic. Views that make the drive memorable.

To be a National Scenic Byway, a road must meet the criteria for at least one of these qualities.

The program says those features are recognized throughout the region and considered regionally significant.

Knowing the quality behind a byway helps you plan.

A historic byway may call for museum stops, while a natural byway may call for short walks.

What makes an All-American Road

All-American Roads have a higher bar.

The program says they must meet the criteria for at least two intrinsic qualities that are nationally significant.

They must also have one-of-a-kind features that do not exist anywhere else.

The program describes them as a destination unto itself.

In other words, the drive itself is a main reason travelers make the trip.

If you only have time for one scenic drive in a region, an All-American Road is a strong choice.

How to find a byway on your route

The America's Byways site lets you pick a state from a list or a map.

It then shows the byways in that state.

The program's list includes byways in almost every state.

Some states have many, and a few have none.

Here is a simple way to build a byway into a trip.

  • Open the program's map and check each state on your route.
  • Read the byway's page to learn its length and its main qualities.
  • Look at where it starts and ends compared with your main route.
  • Decide whether it replaces a highway segment or adds a side loop.

A byway that runs parallel to a highway can replace a dull stretch without adding many miles.

A side loop is better when you have a spare half day.

Plan for a slower pace

Scenic byways are rarely the fastest way between two points.

Many are two-lane roads with curves, small towns and lower speed limits.

You will also want to stop often.

A good rule is to plan your byway day by stops, not by miles.

  • Pick three to five stops you really want to see.
  • Leave time for a meal in a small town along the way.
  • Plan to finish before dark, so you can see the views you came for.

Driving more slowly has a bonus.

FuelEconomy.gov explains that gas mileage usually drops quickly at speeds above 50 miles per hour.

A relaxed byway pace can stretch each tank further.

Fuel, food and cell service

Many byways run through rural areas.

Gas stations, grocery stores and phone signals can be far apart.

  • Fill up before you start the byway, even if the tank is half full.
  • Pack water and snacks in case towns are smaller than you expect.
  • Download offline maps and carry a paper map.
  • Note the towns with services along the route.

Electric car drivers should plan charging stops before they leave.

Our guide to taking an electric car on a road trip explains how to find stations on your route.

Pullouts and photo stops

Scenic roads tempt drivers to stop anywhere for a photo.

That is one of the riskiest habits on a byway.

  • Only stop in marked pullouts, overlooks or parking areas.
  • Never stop in a travel lane or on a blind curve.
  • Signal early, slow down gradually and check your mirrors.
  • Let the passenger take photos while the car is moving, never the driver.
  • Look carefully for traffic before you pull back onto the road.

If a line of cars builds up behind you, use the next safe pullout to let them pass.

Everyone will enjoy the drive more, including you.

Wildlife on rural roads

Many natural byways pass through forests, prairies and mountain valleys.

Animals often cross at dawn and dusk.

Slow down in those hours and scan both sides of the road.

If you see wildlife, stay in your car and use a pullout to watch.

Our guide to driving through wildlife country covers safe viewing distances.

Weather and seasonal closures

Mountain byways can close for snow, and coastal byways can be hit by storms.

Check conditions the night before and again the morning you drive.

The National Weather Service suggests calling 511 for traffic and road incidents.

It notes that every state offers this Department of Transportation service.

If a byway crosses a national park, check the park's road status too.

Our guide to off-season national park road trips explains seasonal closures.

For storms on the road, see our guide to thunderstorms and tornadoes on a road trip.

Research before you go

The National Park Service trip planning guide encourages visitors to research a place before they arrive.

That advice works for any scenic drive.

  • Read about the byway's history and main sights.
  • Check opening hours for museums, visitor centers and historic sites.
  • Look for fees or reservations at parks along the way.
  • Tell someone your route and expected arrival time.

Get the car ready

Curvy roads, steep grades and long rural stretches are hard on a car that is not ready.

Check your tires, brakes, fluids and lights before you go.

Our pre-trip car check walks through the basics in your driveway.

On long downhill grades, use a lower gear so the brakes do not overheat.

A scenic byway checklist

  • Byway chosen from the official list, with its main qualities noted.
  • Three to five stops picked, with time for a meal.
  • Full tank or charging plan before you start.
  • Offline and paper maps ready.
  • Road conditions checked, including 511 and any park road status.
  • Photo stops only in marked pullouts.
  • Drive planned to finish before dark.

The bottom line

America's Byways highlight roads chosen for their scenery, history, culture and outdoor life.

All-American Roads are destinations in themselves.

Plan your byway day by stops, fill up before you start and use pullouts for every photo.

Drive slowly and enjoy the road, since on a byway the drive is the point.

Sources and Further Reading