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The Midwest’s scenic byways
In a recent post, we learned about the National Scenic Byways Program. Established in 1991, the program aims to “. . . create a distinctive collection of American roads, their stories and treasured places.”
The program recognizes National Scenic Byways—roads possessing at least one historic, cultural, natural, scenic, recreational or archaeological intrinsic quality. To be honored as an All-American Road, a route must have multiple intrinsic qualities and be regarded as a “destination unto itself.” That is, the road must pretty much be the reason travelers visit the area.
There are currently 126 America’s Byways in 44 states. This includes 99 National Scenic Byways, 27 All-American Roads and 18 multi-state Byways. A number of the Midwest’s Byways are of the multiple-state variety. In other words, several states share one Byway.
Minnesota has one All-American Road, the 154-mile North Shore Scenic Drive along Lake Superior, largest freshwater lake in the world. Another All-American Road crosses three Midwest states (Illinois, Ohio and Indiana). It is the Historic National Road which meanders some 800 miles across Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Here’s a state-by-state list showing the number of Byways. Remember, many are shared with other states: IL (7), IN (2), IA (2), KS (2), MI (3), MN (7), MO (3), ND (2), SD (2), OH (5) and WI (1)
Since space doesn’t permit me to detail all of these, I’ll tell you what I can about those in Michigan and the states closest to us, Ohio and Indiana.
Michigan’s Byways
Michigan’s three Byways are the Copper Country Trail, River Road Scenic Byway and Detroit’s Woodward Avenue. The Copper Country Trail runs 47 miles through the UP’s northern region and recognizes a Michigan mining boon that yielded more than 10 million pounds of copper to a rapidly growing nation.
The AuSable river valley and the Huron National Forest are the highlights of the 22-mile River Road Scenic Byway. The third may surprise you. Woodward Avenue? In the opinion of the highway folks, Woodward Avenue is to the automobile industry what Broadway is to theatre. It’s the centerpiece of America’s auto heritage. And the route is lined with the byproducts of the nation’s love affair with the automobile—industrial complexes, office buildings, exotic residential palaces, museums and other cultural institutions.
Indiana’s Byways
Travel Indiana’s 156-mile Historic National Road and you can follow the nation’s migration. It traverses the heart of Indiana, including the capital, Indianapolis. Indiana shares its second Byway with Ohio and Illinois. It is the 943-mile route known as the Ohio River Scenic Byway. The road follows the famed Ohio River, providing nearly nonstop views of this historic river artery.
Ohio’s Byways
Since Ohio has five Scenic Byways, I can’t provide much more than the name and length. But I can tell you that you can find lots of additional information and details about all the Scenic Byways at the National Scenic Byways Program website. It’s very well-organized and comprehensive. Enjoy.
Amish Country Byway—76 miles.
Historic National Road. Ohio’s portion of this runs 227 miles.
Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail—293 miles.
Ohio and Erie Canal—110 miles.
Ohio River Scenic Byway. This 900+ mile route is shared with Indiana and Ohio.