The Florida Scenic Highways program is excited that three of our byways have been “promoted” to a higher designation status as of Spring 2021! Here is a little recap about these gems for travelers new to Florida.
We have our Second Florida All-American Road with
A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway
Traveling on A1A in northeast Florida takes you along the Atlantic Ocean from south of Jacksonville through one of America’s oldest cities, St Augustine, settled in 1565. The byway skirts along the barrier island east of the mainland and the inland waterway passing through beach communities and beautiful scenery. This byway has long been one of the most iconic drives in Florida, attracting cyclists to their successful annual Spoonbills & Sprockets event every fall, and motorcyclists all year long. There is something for everyone on this route, and the byway organization provides ample guidance with an often-updated website and mobile tour.
Learn more about A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway.
Scenic 30A is now a National Scenic Byway
30A unspools along the Gulf of Mexico coastline in Northwest Florida’s where sugar-white sand beaches, rare coastal dune lakes, Caribbean colors invite travelers to savor the stunning beach vistas a traveler would expect of the best of Florida. 30A has a long history of regional tourism which continues today. Old Florida traditional cottages with white picket fences sprinkle long stretches of beach, and the region includes miles of greenway trails connect the state parks and preserves along the byway.
Learn more about Scenic Highway 30A.
River of Lakes Heritage Corridor is a National Scenic Byway
The heart of this byway is in Volusia County, renowned for some of the most beautiful parks and trails in the state. The key cities in a chain of many small towns are DeLand and Sanford, both less than an hour from Orlando. This byway’s tagline is “There’s More to Florida.” ROLHC embodies all the things Floridians love but visitors may not know about: stunning springs, the mighty St. Johns River with its attendant lakes, and great cultural and historical sites and museums. This is a byway where you can get away into nature, and still be close to a 4-star meal or a great theatre performance at the end of the day.
These byways have great grassroots organization that highlights the amazing intrinsic qualities of their byways. As a refresher for travelers new to what a “byway” is, see the below information from FHWA about what makes a byway, and what can raise it to National or All-American Road (the very highest tier) level of designation.
Learn more about River of Lakes Heritage Corridor.
According to the Federal Highway Administration
in its 2021 Designations Booklet:
To be designated as an All-American Road, the road or highway must meet the criteria for at least two of the intrinsic qualities. The road or highway must also be considered a destination unto itself. To be recognized as such, it must provide an exceptional traveling experience that is so recognized by travelers that they would make a drive along the highway a primary reason for their trip. The characteristics associated with the intrinsic qualities are those which best represent the nation and which may contain one-of-a-kind features that do not exist elsewhere. The significance of the features contributing to the distinctive characteristics of the corridor’s intrinsic qualities are recognized nationally.
To be designated as a National Scenic Byway, a road or highway must significantly meet at least one of the six intrinsic qualities. The characteristics associated with the intrinsic qualities are those that are distinct and most representative of the region. The significance of the features contributing to the distinctive characteristics of the corridor’s intrinsic quality are recognized throughout the region.
Visit America’s Byways Designations to learn more and download the list of all new designations across the U.S., and the full booklet about the newly upgraded byways.
