<\/p>\n
The last time I cruised along Route 2 in Western Massachusetts, I was a minor strapped in the back seat of my parents\u2019 car, and the road was just asphalt under our tires.<\/p>\n
When we met again a few weeks ago, we had both advanced to the next level. I was now behind the driver\u2019s wheel, and the Mohawk Trail was a National Scenic Byway, one of the highest accolades \u2013 and greatest compliments \u2013 a U.S. road can receive.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, the Federal Highway Administration unveiled 34 new National Scenic Byways and 15 All-American Roads in 28 states, bringing the total to 184 in 48 states. (Hawaii and Texas are two exceptions, but this could change in the Lone Star State: Its Senate passed the Texas Scenic Byways bill last month.) The announcement was a long time coming. The agency, which has been running the program since 1991, last bestowed the honor in 2009.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the things we know about Americans is that they love their cars and the open road. That is a big part of this,\u201d said Mark Falzone, president of Scenic America, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the country\u2019s beauty. \u201cWe are seeing a revival in scenic byways, and it couldn\u2019t come at a better time because of COVID-19 and restrictions.\u201d<\/p>\n
To be considered for the designation, the route must satisfy a few prerequisites. It must be a state scenic byway, possess regional importance and exhibit one (Scenic National Byway) or two (All-American Road) of six \u201cintrinsic qualities.\u201d The application only requires the minimum number, but many of the roads contain several of the characteristics: cultural, natural, historical, recreational, archaeological and scenic. I could count the Mohawk Trail\u2019s attributes on five fingers.<\/p>\n
Here are the other National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads from the Class of 2021, and whom they are best for, based on interests.<\/p>\n
U.S. history buffs<\/em><\/p>\n U.S. history buffs<\/em>Where: Celina to Cumberland Gap.<\/em>How far: 200 miles.<\/em>What: The route echoes with the footsteps of pioneering explorers who traversed the northern Cumberland Plateau in search of opportunity to the west \u2013 in Tennessee and Kentucky. The Obey and Cumberland rivers supported the burgeoning lumber industry and the rise of Nashville.<\/em><\/p>\n U.S. history buffs<\/em>Where: Celina to Cumberland Gap.<\/em>How far: 200 miles.<\/em>What: The route echoes with the footsteps of pioneering explorers who traversed the northern Cumberland Plateau in search of opportunity to the west \u2013 in Tennessee and Kentucky. The Obey and Cumberland rivers supported the burgeoning lumber industry and the rise of Nashville.<\/em>Where: Bristol.<\/em>How far: 5 miles.<\/em>What: Ignore the fact that the town\u2019s namesake is in England. Patriotic Bristol holds one of the country\u2019s oldest Fourth of July celebrations, which marches \u2013 and floats \u2013 down the byway. The road appeals year-round, with centuries-old estates, museums, a state park, gardens, a historic district and a waterfront that upholds the town\u2019s shipbuilding and sailing traditions.<\/em><\/p>\n U.S. history buffs<\/em>Where: Celina to Cumberland Gap.<\/em>How far: 200 miles.<\/em>What: The route echoes with the footsteps of pioneering explorers who traversed the northern Cumberland Plateau in search of opportunity to the west \u2013 in Tennessee and Kentucky. The Obey and Cumberland rivers supported the burgeoning lumber industry and the rise of Nashville.<\/em>Where: Bristol.<\/em>How far: 5 miles.<\/em>What: Ignore the fact that the town\u2019s namesake is in England. Patriotic Bristol holds one of the country\u2019s oldest Fourth of July celebrations, which marches \u2013 and floats \u2013 down the byway. The road appeals year-round, with centuries-old estates, museums, a state park, gardens, a historic district and a waterfront that upholds the town\u2019s shipbuilding and sailing traditions.<\/em>Where: Lisbon to Vivian.<\/em>How far: 137 miles.<\/em>What: The byway records the highs, lows and comebacks of such Louisiana industries as oil and gas, lumber and agriculture, including cotton. Abandoned oil field equipment appears like a ghostly apparition, and Oil City stays true to its name with the Louisiana State Oil and Gas Museum. Casinos offer a personalized boom-or-bust experience.<\/em>Other options: A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway, Florida; Battle Road Scenic Byway, Massachusetts; Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway, Pennsylvania; Norris Freeway, Tennessee; Sequatchie Valley Scenic Byway, Tennessee.<\/em>Epic road-trippers<\/em><\/p>\n U.S. history buffs<\/em>Where: Celina to Cumberland Gap.<\/em>How far: 200 miles.<\/em>What: The route echoes with the footsteps of pioneering explorers who traversed the northern Cumberland Plateau in search of opportunity to the west \u2013 in Tennessee and Kentucky. The Obey and Cumberland rivers supported the burgeoning lumber industry and the rise of Nashville.<\/em>Where: Bristol.<\/em>How far: 5 miles.<\/em>What: Ignore the fact that the town\u2019s namesake is in England. Patriotic Bristol holds one of the country\u2019s oldest Fourth of July celebrations, which marches \u2013 and floats \u2013 down the byway. The road appeals year-round, with centuries-old estates, museums, a state park, gardens, a historic district and a waterfront that upholds the town\u2019s shipbuilding and sailing traditions.<\/em>Where: Lisbon to Vivian.<\/em>How far: 137 miles.<\/em>What: The byway records the highs, lows and comebacks of such Louisiana industries as oil and gas, lumber and agriculture, including cotton. Abandoned oil field equipment appears like a ghostly apparition, and Oil City stays true to its name with the Louisiana State Oil and Gas Museum. Casinos offer a personalized boom-or-bust experience.<\/em>Other options: A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway, Florida; Battle Road Scenic Byway, Massachusetts; Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway, Pennsylvania; Norris Freeway, Tennessee; Sequatchie Valley Scenic Byway, Tennessee.<\/em>Epic road-trippers<\/em>Where: Needles to Barstow.<\/em>How far: 178 miles.<\/em>What: The western leg of the Mother Road wriggles through ghost towns, dusty outposts and the Mojave Trails National Monument, which contains the most unadulterated section of Route 66. There are a few places to stop for an Americana fix and pics, such as the Baghdad Cafe, the setting for the 1988 movie, and the \u201cRoy\u2019s Vacancy\u201d sign.<\/em><\/p>\n U.S. history buffs<\/em>Where: Celina to Cumberland Gap.<\/em>How far: 200 miles.<\/em>What: The route echoes with the footsteps of pioneering explorers who traversed the northern Cumberland Plateau in search of opportunity to the west \u2013 in Tennessee and Kentucky. The Obey and Cumberland rivers supported the burgeoning lumber industry and the rise of Nashville.<\/em>Where: Bristol.<\/em>How far: 5 miles.<\/em>What: Ignore the fact that the town\u2019s namesake is in England. Patriotic Bristol holds one of the country\u2019s oldest Fourth of July celebrations, which marches \u2013 and floats \u2013 down the byway. The road appeals year-round, with centuries-old estates, museums, a state park, gardens, a historic district and a waterfront that upholds the town\u2019s shipbuilding and sailing traditions.<\/em>Where: Lisbon to Vivian.<\/em>How far: 137 miles.<\/em>What: The byway records the highs, lows and comebacks of such Louisiana industries as oil and gas, lumber and agriculture, including cotton. Abandoned oil field equipment appears like a ghostly apparition, and Oil City stays true to its name with the Louisiana State Oil and Gas Museum. Casinos offer a personalized boom-or-bust experience.<\/em>Other options: A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway, Florida; Battle Road Scenic Byway, Massachusetts; Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway, Pennsylvania; Norris Freeway, Tennessee; Sequatchie Valley Scenic Byway, Tennessee.<\/em>Epic road-trippers<\/em>Where: Needles to Barstow.<\/em>How far: 178 miles.<\/em>What: The western leg of the Mother Road wriggles through ghost towns, dusty outposts and the Mojave Trails National Monument, which contains the most unadulterated section of Route 66. There are a few places to stop for an Americana fix and pics, such as the Baghdad Cafe, the setting for the 1988 movie, and the \u201cRoy\u2019s Vacancy\u201d sign.<\/em>Where: Itasca State Park, Minnesota, to Venice, Louisiana.<\/em>How far: 565 miles in Minnesota, 242 miles in Wisconsin, 322 miles in Iowa, 556 miles in Illinois, 63 miles in Kentucky, 186 in Tennessee, 391 miles in Arkansas, 724 miles in Louisiana.<\/em>What: The Great River is none other than the Mississippi, the major artery that flows with history, commerce and wildlife. Built in 1938, the road covers 3,000 miles in 10 states, eight of which earned All-American Road status for their sections. (Missouri and Mississippi earned their badges in 2000.)<\/em><\/p>\n U.S. history buffs<\/em>Where: Celina to Cumberland Gap.<\/em>How far: 200 miles.<\/em>What: The route echoes with the footsteps of pioneering explorers who traversed the northern Cumberland Plateau in search of opportunity to the west \u2013 in Tennessee and Kentucky. The Obey and Cumberland rivers supported the burgeoning lumber industry and the rise of Nashville.<\/em>Where: Bristol.<\/em>How far: 5 miles.<\/em>What: Ignore the fact that the town\u2019s namesake is in England. Patriotic Bristol holds one of the country\u2019s oldest Fourth of July celebrations, which marches \u2013 and floats \u2013 down the byway. The road appeals year-round, with centuries-old estates, museums, a state park, gardens, a historic district and a waterfront that upholds the town\u2019s shipbuilding and sailing traditions.<\/em>Where: Lisbon to Vivian.<\/em>How far: 137 miles.<\/em>What: The byway records the highs, lows and comebacks of such Louisiana industries as oil and gas, lumber and agriculture, including cotton. Abandoned oil field equipment appears like a ghostly apparition, and Oil City stays true to its name with the Louisiana State Oil and Gas Museum. Casinos offer a personalized boom-or-bust experience.<\/em>Other options: A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway, Florida; Battle Road Scenic Byway, Massachusetts; Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway, Pennsylvania; Norris Freeway, Tennessee; Sequatchie Valley Scenic Byway, Tennessee.<\/em>Epic road-trippers<\/em>Where: Needles to Barstow.<\/em>How far: 178 miles.<\/em>What: The western leg of the Mother Road wriggles through ghost towns, dusty outposts and the Mojave Trails National Monument, which contains the most unadulterated section of Route 66. There are a few places to stop for an Americana fix and pics, such as the Baghdad Cafe, the setting for the 1988 movie, and the \u201cRoy\u2019s Vacancy\u201d sign.<\/em>Where: Itasca State Park, Minnesota, to Venice, Louisiana.<\/em>How far: 565 miles in Minnesota, 242 miles in Wisconsin, 322 miles in Iowa, 556 miles in Illinois, 63 miles in Kentucky, 186 in Tennessee, 391 miles in Arkansas, 724 miles in Louisiana.<\/em>What: The Great River is none other than the Mississippi, the major artery that flows with history, commerce and wildlife. Built in 1938, the road covers 3,000 miles in 10 states, eight of which earned All-American Road status for their sections. (Missouri and Mississippi earned their badges in 2000.)<\/em>Where: Omaha to Kimball in Nebraska, Clinton to Council Bluffs in Iowa.<\/em>How far: 400 and 460 miles, respectively.<\/em>What: Established in 1913, the Lincoln Highway was the country\u2019s first transcontinental road, running from New York City to San Francisco. Nebraska\u2019s only cross-state road shadows the Oregon and Mormon trails and passes by the spring hangout of the sandhill cranes. In Iowa, about 85% of the original road still exists, and Lincoln Highway purists can see the Seedling Mile, Iowa\u2019s first paved portion, halfway between Marion and Mount Vernon, and a preserved section of brick highway in Woodbine.<\/em>Other options: Historic Route 66 Missouri.<\/em>Waterway seekers<\/em><\/p>\n U.S. history buffs<\/em>Where: Celina to Cumberland Gap.<\/em>How far: 200 miles.<\/em>What: The route echoes with the footsteps of pioneering explorers who traversed the northern Cumberland Plateau in search of opportunity to the west \u2013 in Tennessee and Kentucky. The Obey and Cumberland rivers supported the burgeoning lumber industry and the rise of Nashville.<\/em>Where: Bristol.<\/em>How far: 5 miles.<\/em>What: Ignore the fact that the town\u2019s namesake is in England. Patriotic Bristol holds one of the country\u2019s oldest Fourth of July celebrations, which marches \u2013 and floats \u2013 down the byway. The road appeals year-round, with centuries-old estates, museums, a state park, gardens, a historic district and a waterfront that upholds the town\u2019s shipbuilding and sailing traditions.<\/em>Where: Lisbon to Vivian.<\/em>How far: 137 miles.<\/em>What: The byway records the highs, lows and comebacks of such Louisiana industries as oil and gas, lumber and agriculture, including cotton. Abandoned oil field equipment appears like a ghostly apparition, and Oil City stays true to its name with the Louisiana State Oil and Gas Museum. Casinos offer a personalized boom-or-bust experience.<\/em>Other options: A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway, Florida; Battle Road Scenic Byway, Massachusetts; Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway, Pennsylvania; Norris Freeway, Tennessee; Sequatchie Valley Scenic Byway, Tennessee.<\/em>Epic road-trippers<\/em>Where: Needles to Barstow.<\/em>How far: 178 miles.<\/em>What: The western leg of the Mother Road wriggles through ghost towns, dusty outposts and the Mojave Trails National Monument, which contains the most unadulterated section of Route 66. There are a few places to stop for an Americana fix and pics, such as the Baghdad Cafe, the setting for the 1988 movie, and the \u201cRoy\u2019s Vacancy\u201d sign.<\/em>Where: Itasca State Park, Minnesota, to Venice, Louisiana.<\/em>How far: 565 miles in Minnesota, 242 miles in Wisconsin, 322 miles in Iowa, 556 miles in Illinois, 63 miles in Kentucky, 186 in Tennessee, 391 miles in Arkansas, 724 miles in Louisiana.<\/em>What: The Great River is none other than the Mississippi, the major artery that flows with history, commerce and wildlife. Built in 1938, the road covers 3,000 miles in 10 states, eight of which earned All-American Road status for their sections. (Missouri and Mississippi earned their badges in 2000.)<\/em>Where: Omaha to Kimball in Nebraska, Clinton to Council Bluffs in Iowa.<\/em>How far: 400 and 460 miles, respectively.<\/em>What: Established in 1913, the Lincoln Highway was the country\u2019s first transcontinental road, running from New York City to San Francisco. Nebraska\u2019s only cross-state road shadows the Oregon and Mormon trails and passes by the spring hangout of the sandhill cranes. In Iowa, about 85% of the original road still exists, and Lincoln Highway purists can see the Seedling Mile, Iowa\u2019s first paved portion, halfway between Marion and Mount Vernon, and a preserved section of brick highway in Woodbine.<\/em>Other options: Historic Route 66 Missouri.<\/em>Waterway seekers<\/em>Where: Inlet Beach to Dune Allen.<\/em>How far: 24 miles.<\/em>What: The two-lane road rides shotgun to the Gulf of Mexico. There are no cities along the coastal route, only towns and communities with \u201csea\u201d or \u201cbeach\u201d in their names; state parks, such as the sand dunes-studded Topsail Hill Preserve State Park; and long stretches of pearly white sand.<\/em><\/p>\n U.S. history buffs<\/em>Where: Celina to Cumberland Gap.<\/em>How far: 200 miles.<\/em>What: The route echoes with the footsteps of pioneering explorers who traversed the northern Cumberland Plateau in search of opportunity to the west \u2013 in Tennessee and Kentucky. The Obey and Cumberland rivers supported the burgeoning lumber industry and the rise of Nashville.<\/em>Where: Bristol.<\/em>How far: 5 miles.<\/em>What: Ignore the fact that the town\u2019s namesake is in England. Patriotic Bristol holds one of the country\u2019s oldest Fourth of July celebrations, which marches \u2013 and floats \u2013 down the byway. The road appeals year-round, with centuries-old estates, museums, a state park, gardens, a historic district and a waterfront that upholds the town\u2019s shipbuilding and sailing traditions.<\/em>Where: Lisbon to Vivian.<\/em>How far: 137 miles.<\/em>What: The byway records the highs, lows and comebacks of such Louisiana industries as oil and gas, lumber and agriculture, including cotton. Abandoned oil field equipment appears like a ghostly apparition, and Oil City stays true to its name with the Louisiana State Oil and Gas Museum. Casinos offer a personalized boom-or-bust experience.<\/em>Other options: A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway, Florida; Battle Road Scenic Byway, Massachusetts; Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway, Pennsylvania; Norris Freeway, Tennessee; Sequatchie Valley Scenic Byway, Tennessee.<\/em>Epic road-trippers<\/em>Where: Needles to Barstow.<\/em>How far: 178 miles.<\/em>What: The western leg of the Mother Road wriggles through ghost towns, dusty outposts and the Mojave Trails National Monument, which contains the most unadulterated section of Route 66. There are a few places to stop for an Americana fix and pics, such as the Baghdad Cafe, the setting for the 1988 movie, and the \u201cRoy\u2019s Vacancy\u201d sign.<\/em>Where: Itasca State Park, Minnesota, to Venice, Louisiana.<\/em>How far: 565 miles in Minnesota, 242 miles in Wisconsin, 322 miles in Iowa, 556 miles in Illinois, 63 miles in Kentucky, 186 in Tennessee, 391 miles in Arkansas, 724 miles in Louisiana.<\/em>What: The Great River is none other than the Mississippi, the major artery that flows with history, commerce and wildlife. Built in 1938, the road covers 3,000 miles in 10 states, eight of which earned All-American Road status for their sections. (Missouri and Mississippi earned their badges in 2000.)<\/em>Where: Omaha to Kimball in Nebraska, Clinton to Council Bluffs in Iowa.<\/em>How far: 400 and 460 miles, respectively.<\/em>What: Established in 1913, the Lincoln Highway was the country\u2019s first transcontinental road, running from New York City to San Francisco. Nebraska\u2019s only cross-state road shadows the Oregon and Mormon trails and passes by the spring hangout of the sandhill cranes. In Iowa, about 85% of the original road still exists, and Lincoln Highway purists can see the Seedling Mile, Iowa\u2019s first paved portion, halfway between Marion and Mount Vernon, and a preserved section of brick highway in Woodbine.<\/em>Other options: Historic Route 66 Missouri.<\/em>Waterway seekers<\/em>Where: Inlet Beach to Dune Allen.<\/em>How far: 24 miles.<\/em>What: The two-lane road rides shotgun to the Gulf of Mexico. There are no cities along the coastal route, only towns and communities with \u201csea\u201d or \u201cbeach\u201d in their names; state parks, such as the sand dunes-studded Topsail Hill Preserve State Park; and long stretches of pearly white sand.<\/em>Where: Milbridge to Lubec.<\/em>How far: 125 miles.<\/em>What: Maine\u2019s longest byway stakes out the Downeast, the area named after the directions sailing ships followed from Boston and New York. The Atlantic spills into the region\u2019s culture, cuisine and landmarks, such as the West Quoddy Head, which sits on the ocean cliffs and receives the first light of day in the Lower 48.<\/em><\/p>\n U.S. history buffs<\/em>Where: Celina to Cumberland Gap.<\/em>How far: 200 miles.<\/em>What: The route echoes with the footsteps of pioneering explorers who traversed the northern Cumberland Plateau in search of opportunity to the west \u2013 in Tennessee and Kentucky. The Obey and Cumberland rivers supported the burgeoning lumber industry and the rise of Nashville.<\/em>Where: Bristol.<\/em>How far: 5 miles.<\/em>What: Ignore the fact that the town\u2019s namesake is in England. Patriotic Bristol holds one of the country\u2019s oldest Fourth of July celebrations, which marches \u2013 and floats \u2013 down the byway. The road appeals year-round, with centuries-old estates, museums, a state park, gardens, a historic district and a waterfront that upholds the town\u2019s shipbuilding and sailing traditions.<\/em>Where: Lisbon to Vivian.<\/em>How far: 137 miles.<\/em>What: The byway records the highs, lows and comebacks of such Louisiana industries as oil and gas, lumber and agriculture, including cotton. Abandoned oil field equipment appears like a ghostly apparition, and Oil City stays true to its name with the Louisiana State Oil and Gas Museum. Casinos offer a personalized boom-or-bust experience.<\/em>Other options: A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway, Florida; Battle Road Scenic Byway, Massachusetts; Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway, Pennsylvania; Norris Freeway, Tennessee; Sequatchie Valley Scenic Byway, Tennessee.<\/em>Epic road-trippers<\/em>Where: Needles to Barstow.<\/em>How far: 178 miles.<\/em>What: The western leg of the Mother Road wriggles through ghost towns, dusty outposts and the Mojave Trails National Monument, which contains the most unadulterated section of Route 66. There are a few places to stop for an Americana fix and pics, such as the Baghdad Cafe, the setting for the 1988 movie, and the \u201cRoy\u2019s Vacancy\u201d sign.<\/em>Where: Itasca State Park, Minnesota, to Venice, Louisiana.<\/em>How far: 565 miles in Minnesota, 242 miles in Wisconsin, 322 miles in Iowa, 556 miles in Illinois, 63 miles in Kentucky, 186 in Tennessee, 391 miles in Arkansas, 724 miles in Louisiana.<\/em>What: The Great River is none other than the Mississippi, the major artery that flows with history, commerce and wildlife. Built in 1938, the road covers 3,000 miles in 10 states, eight of which earned All-American Road status for their sections. (Missouri and Mississippi earned their badges in 2000.)<\/em>Where: Omaha to Kimball in Nebraska, Clinton to Council Bluffs in Iowa.<\/em>How far: 400 and 460 miles, respectively.<\/em>What: Established in 1913, the Lincoln Highway was the country\u2019s first transcontinental road, running from New York City to San Francisco. Nebraska\u2019s only cross-state road shadows the Oregon and Mormon trails and passes by the spring hangout of the sandhill cranes. In Iowa, about 85% of the original road still exists, and Lincoln Highway purists can see the Seedling Mile, Iowa\u2019s first paved portion, halfway between Marion and Mount Vernon, and a preserved section of brick highway in Woodbine.<\/em>Other options: Historic Route 66 Missouri.<\/em>Waterway seekers<\/em>Where: Inlet Beach to Dune Allen.<\/em>How far: 24 miles.<\/em>What: The two-lane road rides shotgun to the Gulf of Mexico. There are no cities along the coastal route, only towns and communities with \u201csea\u201d or \u201cbeach\u201d in their names; state parks, such as the sand dunes-studded Topsail Hill Preserve State Park; and long stretches of pearly white sand.<\/em>Where: Milbridge to Lubec.<\/em>How far: 125 miles.<\/em>What: Maine\u2019s longest byway stakes out the Downeast, the area named after the directions sailing ships followed from Boston and New York. The Atlantic spills into the region\u2019s culture, cuisine and landmarks, such as the West Quoddy Head, which sits on the ocean cliffs and receives the first light of day in the Lower 48.<\/em>Where: Barksdale to Cloverland.<\/em>How far: 70 miles.<\/em>What: The road traces the southern shore of Lake Superior and dips a big toe into the Great Lake by way of the Bayfield Peninsula. The lake isn\u2019t the only water feature, either: There are waterfalls at Houghton Falls State Natural Area; two rivers, the Onion and Sioux; and a coastal estuary at Frog Bay Tribal National Park, the country\u2019s first tribal national park.<\/em>Other options: River of Lakes Heritage Corridor, Florida; Whitewater Canal Scenic Byway, Indiana; Old King\u2019s Highway, Massachusetts; Door County Coastal Byway, Wisconsin; Katahdin Woods and Waters Scenic Byway, Maine; Palisades Scenic Byway, New Jersey and New York.<\/em>Nature lovers<\/em><\/p>\n U.S. history buffs<\/em>Where: Celina to Cumberland Gap.<\/em>How far: 200 miles.<\/em>What: The route echoes with the footsteps of pioneering explorers who traversed the northern Cumberland Plateau in search of opportunity to the west \u2013 in Tennessee and Kentucky. The Obey and Cumberland rivers supported the burgeoning lumber industry and the rise of Nashville.<\/em>Where: Bristol.<\/em>How far: 5 miles.<\/em>What: Ignore the fact that the town\u2019s namesake is in England. Patriotic Bristol holds one of the country\u2019s oldest Fourth of July celebrations, which marches \u2013 and floats \u2013 down the byway. The road appeals year-round, with centuries-old estates, museums, a state park, gardens, a historic district and a waterfront that upholds the town\u2019s shipbuilding and sailing traditions.<\/em>Where: Lisbon to Vivian.<\/em>How far: 137 miles.<\/em>What: The byway records the highs, lows and comebacks of such Louisiana industries as oil and gas, lumber and agriculture, including cotton. Abandoned oil field equipment appears like a ghostly apparition, and Oil City stays true to its name with the Louisiana State Oil and Gas Museum. Casinos offer a personalized boom-or-bust experience.<\/em>Other options: A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway, Florida; Battle Road Scenic Byway, Massachusetts; Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway, Pennsylvania; Norris Freeway, Tennessee; Sequatchie Valley Scenic Byway, Tennessee.<\/em>Epic road-trippers<\/em>Where: Needles to Barstow.<\/em>How far: 178 miles.<\/em>What: The western leg of the Mother Road wriggles through ghost towns, dusty outposts and the Mojave Trails National Monument, which contains the most unadulterated section of Route 66. There are a few places to stop for an Americana fix and pics, such as the Baghdad Cafe, the setting for the 1988 movie, and the \u201cRoy\u2019s Vacancy\u201d sign.<\/em>Where: Itasca State Park, Minnesota, to Venice, Louisiana.<\/em>How far: 565 miles in Minnesota, 242 miles in Wisconsin, 322 miles in Iowa, 556 miles in Illinois, 63 miles in Kentucky, 186 in Tennessee, 391 miles in Arkansas, 724 miles in Louisiana.<\/em>What: The Great River is none other than the Mississippi, the major artery that flows with history, commerce and wildlife. Built in 1938, the road covers 3,000 miles in 10 states, eight of which earned All-American Road status for their sections. (Missouri and Mississippi earned their badges in 2000.)<\/em>Where: Omaha to Kimball in Nebraska, Clinton to Council Bluffs in Iowa.<\/em>How far: 400 and 460 miles, respectively.<\/em>What: Established in 1913, the Lincoln Highway was the country\u2019s first transcontinental road, running from New York City to San Francisco. Nebraska\u2019s only cross-state road shadows the Oregon and Mormon trails and passes by the spring hangout of the sandhill cranes. In Iowa, about 85% of the original road still exists, and Lincoln Highway purists can see the Seedling Mile, Iowa\u2019s first paved portion, halfway between Marion and Mount Vernon, and a preserved section of brick highway in Woodbine.<\/em>Other options: Historic Route 66 Missouri.<\/em>Waterway seekers<\/em>Where: Inlet Beach to Dune Allen.<\/em>How far: 24 miles.<\/em>What: The two-lane road rides shotgun to the Gulf of Mexico. There are no cities along the coastal route, only towns and communities with \u201csea\u201d or \u201cbeach\u201d in their names; state parks, such as the sand dunes-studded Topsail Hill Preserve State Park; and long stretches of pearly white sand.<\/em>Where: Milbridge to Lubec.<\/em>How far: 125 miles.<\/em>What: Maine\u2019s longest byway stakes out the Downeast, the area named after the directions sailing ships followed from Boston and New York. The Atlantic spills into the region\u2019s culture, cuisine and landmarks, such as the West Quoddy Head, which sits on the ocean cliffs and receives the first light of day in the Lower 48.<\/em>Where: Barksdale to Cloverland.<\/em>How far: 70 miles.<\/em>What: The road traces the southern shore of Lake Superior and dips a big toe into the Great Lake by way of the Bayfield Peninsula. The lake isn\u2019t the only water feature, either: There are waterfalls at Houghton Falls State Natural Area; two rivers, the Onion and Sioux; and a coastal estuary at Frog Bay Tribal National Park, the country\u2019s first tribal national park.<\/em>Other options: River of Lakes Heritage Corridor, Florida; Whitewater Canal Scenic Byway, Indiana; Old King\u2019s Highway, Massachusetts; Door County Coastal Byway, Wisconsin; Katahdin Woods and Waters Scenic Byway, Maine; Palisades Scenic Byway, New Jersey and New York.<\/em>Nature lovers<\/em>Where: Tuckerton to Port Elizabeth.<\/em>How far: 130 miles.<\/em>What: The road\u2019s centerpiece is the Pinelands National Reserve, a UNESCO biosphere and home to nearly 40 species of mammals, 300 bird species and 60 reptile and amphibian species. The landscape could be a setting for a Grimms\u2019 fairy tale, with a pygmy pine forest, carnivorous plants and a profusion of fungi. The reserve is also the stomping grounds of the Jersey Devil, a terrestrial Loch Ness monster.<\/em><\/p>\n U.S. history buffs<\/em>Where: Celina to Cumberland Gap.<\/em>How far: 200 miles.<\/em>What: The route echoes with the footsteps of pioneering explorers who traversed the northern Cumberland Plateau in search of opportunity to the west \u2013 in Tennessee and Kentucky. The Obey and Cumberland rivers supported the burgeoning lumber industry and the rise of Nashville.<\/em>Where: Bristol.<\/em>How far: 5 miles.<\/em>What: Ignore the fact that the town\u2019s namesake is in England. Patriotic Bristol holds one of the country\u2019s oldest Fourth of July celebrations, which marches \u2013 and floats \u2013 down the byway. The road appeals year-round, with centuries-old estates, museums, a state park, gardens, a historic district and a waterfront that upholds the town\u2019s shipbuilding and sailing traditions.<\/em>Where: Lisbon to Vivian.<\/em>How far: 137 miles.<\/em>What: The byway records the highs, lows and comebacks of such Louisiana industries as oil and gas, lumber and agriculture, including cotton. Abandoned oil field equipment appears like a ghostly apparition, and Oil City stays true to its name with the Louisiana State Oil and Gas Museum. Casinos offer a personalized boom-or-bust experience.<\/em>Other options: A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway, Florida; Battle Road Scenic Byway, Massachusetts; Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway, Pennsylvania; Norris Freeway, Tennessee; Sequatchie Valley Scenic Byway, Tennessee.<\/em>Epic road-trippers<\/em>Where: Needles to Barstow.<\/em>How far: 178 miles.<\/em>What: The western leg of the Mother Road wriggles through ghost towns, dusty outposts and the Mojave Trails National Monument, which contains the most unadulterated section of Route 66. There are a few places to stop for an Americana fix and pics, such as the Baghdad Cafe, the setting for the 1988 movie, and the \u201cRoy\u2019s Vacancy\u201d sign.<\/em>Where: Itasca State Park, Minnesota, to Venice, Louisiana.<\/em>How far: 565 miles in Minnesota, 242 miles in Wisconsin, 322 miles in Iowa, 556 miles in Illinois, 63 miles in Kentucky, 186 in Tennessee, 391 miles in Arkansas, 724 miles in Louisiana.<\/em>What: The Great River is none other than the Mississippi, the major artery that flows with history, commerce and wildlife. Built in 1938, the road covers 3,000 miles in 10 states, eight of which earned All-American Road status for their sections. (Missouri and Mississippi earned their badges in 2000.)<\/em>Where: Omaha to Kimball in Nebraska, Clinton to Council Bluffs in Iowa.<\/em>How far: 400 and 460 miles, respectively.<\/em>What: Established in 1913, the Lincoln Highway was the country\u2019s first transcontinental road, running from New York City to San Francisco. Nebraska\u2019s only cross-state road shadows the Oregon and Mormon trails and passes by the spring hangout of the sandhill cranes. In Iowa, about 85% of the original road still exists, and Lincoln Highway purists can see the Seedling Mile, Iowa\u2019s first paved portion, halfway between Marion and Mount Vernon, and a preserved section of brick highway in Woodbine.<\/em>Other options: Historic Route 66 Missouri.<\/em>Waterway seekers<\/em>Where: Inlet Beach to Dune Allen.<\/em>How far: 24 miles.<\/em>