Scenic Byways

The National Scenic Byways Program is a voluntary, community-based program administered through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to recognize, protect, and promote America’s most outstanding roads. Through their state departments of transportation, communities can apply for designation as a State or National Scenic Byway.

Scenic America led the charge to reopen nomination to the program in 2019 after a long period of inactivity, successfully lobbying for the passage of the Reviving America’s Scenic Byways Act of 2019. As a result, additional National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads were named on February 16, 2021 for the first time since 2009.

Congress’ FY 2021 stimulus bill included $16 million for byways—the first dedicated allocation of funding for this program since 2012.