Taking a Sunday drive means more with dozens of new National Scenic Byways
By Tom Adkinson
May 7, 2021

(Editor’s note: This is one in a series of travel stories spotlighting destinations and activities to consider in a time of coronavirus and to inspire safe outings elsewhere.)

Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest point at 4,784 feet, is along the Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway. Image by Tom Adkinson.

At the same time Americans were waiting to get coronavirus vaccinations, the nation’s tourism got a shot in the arm, too.

It came with selection of 34 new National Scenic Byways and 15 new All- American Roads, routes that carry travelers off the beaten path to view amazing vistas and access some of America’s treasures.

These were the first new routes to receive National Scenic Byway or All-American Road status from the U.S. Department of Transportation since 2009. Earning either status isn’t easy.

A quartet of travelers captures a selfie near Franklin, Tennessee, along the Natchez Trace Parkway. Image by Visit Franklin.

To become a National Scenic Byway, a road must have at least one of six qualities and be regionally significant. The criteria are scenic, historic, cultural, natural, recreational and archaeological qualities.

A photographer frames a vista of the eastern Kansas prairie along the 48-mile-long Flint Hills Scenic Byway. Image by Tom Adkinson.

Buena Vista Park in Alma, Wisconsin, offers this Mississippi River view along the Wisconsin Great American Road. Image by Travel Wisconsin

An All-American Road must possess multiple nationally significant and intrinsic qualities, have one-of-a-kind features that do not exist elsewhere and provide an exceptional traveling experience.

Several sites connected to Abraham Lincoln, including his birthplace, are along the 71 miles of the Lincoln Heritage Scenic Highway. Image by Tom Adkinson.

Five routes in Tennessee were recognized. Newfound Gap Road and the Great River Road were elevated to All-American Road status, and the Cumberland National Scenic Byway, the Sequatchie Valley Scenic Byway and Norris Freeway earned National Scenic Byway recognition. Here are details of each.

• Great River Road: This West Tennessee route is rich in history and culture and follows the Mississippi River from Tiptonville to Memphis. It is part of the 10-state Great River Road that travels from the headwaters in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.
• Newfound Gap Road: This historic East Tennessee route connects Gatlinburg with Cherokee, North Carolina. At 5,046 feet, the route is the lowest drivable pass through Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
• Sequatchie Valley National Scenic Byway: Known as Tennessee’s “Great Valley,” this scenic route features the serene Sequatchie River and is framed on either side by the Cumberland Plateau and Walden’s Ridge.
• Cumberland National Scenic Byway: This route demonstrates the history and significance of the Upper Cumberland and connects landmarks in eight counties between the Cumberland Gap and Cumberland River.
• Norris Freeway: This route frames the Town of Norris and Norris Dam State Park. The area is popular for its hiking, fishing and boating opportunities.

Pull-offs along the Natchez Trace Parkway lead to tiny treasures such as this waterfall near Hohenwald, Tennessee. Image by Tom Adkinson.

The new crop of sanctioned roadways traverse 28 states – ranging from Maine’s Katahdin Wood and Waters Scenic Byway to California’s Historic Route 66 Needles to Barstow Scenic Byway. There now are 184 National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads. The importance of these specially recognized routes boils down to publicity and the increased visitation that publicity generates. As Americans emerge from the restrictions and inhibitions of the coronavirus pandemic, driving trips through potentially less crowded locations take on special appeal.

The travel industry is significant ($2.9 trillion in national economic impact in 2019, according to the U.S. Travel Association), and scenic byways are part of that total. Two examples are the Blue Ridge Parkway’s $1.4 billion impact on Virginia and North Carolina and the Natchez Trace Parkway’s approximately $150 million impact on Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi.

Scenic America, a national environmental nonprofit organization, took the lead to revitalize the scenic byway program and secure the program’s first dedicated federal funding since 2012.