Welcome to the, a route where travel and history move side by side.
The National Road was the first federally funded road in the United States, built to connect the young nation and support westward growth. When it reached Ohio in the early 1800s, it helped shape the state’s towns, industries, and communities—an influence that continues today. Traveling this road isn’t just a drive across Ohio; it’s a journey through the backbone of early American transportation.
The Ohio National Road is part of a six-state All-American Road stretching more than 700 miles, from Baltimore, Maryland, to East St. Louis, Illinois, passing through Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. In Ohio, the route largely follows U.S. Route 40 and has been designated both a State Scenic Byway by the Ohio Department of Transportation and an All-American Road by the Federal Highway Administration—the highest recognition for a scenic byway.
Along the way, travelers will encounter some of the road’s most iconic features. Look for the historic National Road mile markers, which once guided wagon trains and stagecoaches westward and still mark progress today. You’ll also cross distinctive S-bridges, elegant stone structures engineered to slow traffic and protect their masonry—functional, beautiful, and uniquely tied to the National Road’s early design. Interpretive signs, telling stories of the road’s important places, events, and people can also be found in each of the 10 counties.
Ohio’s portion of the route is rich with unforgettable stops. In Zanesville, the famous Y-Bridge spans the Muskingum River, one of the few bridges in the country where you can choose your direction mid-crossing. Near Newark, the Newark Earthworks—the largest set of geometric earthen enclosures in the world and Ohio’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site—offer a powerful reminder that Ohio’s history stretches far beyond the National Road itself. In Columbus, travelers can explore downtown, visit COSI, and enjoy riverfront parks, museums, dining, and cultural attractions.
Further west in Springfield, the Madonna of the Trail statue honors the strength and perseverance of pioneer women and serves as a symbolic landmark for National Road travelers. Throughout the journey, you’ll find wildlife areas, state parks, historic downtowns, museums, and scenic landscapes, all easily accessible from the route.
The Ohio National Road invites you to slow down, explore, and experience a road that has connected people for more than two centuries. Whether you’re drawn by history, nature, architecture, or the simple pleasure of meaningful travel, this road still does what it was built to do—lead travelers to discovery.
For more information please click on: https://nsbfoundation.com/nb/historic-national-road-oh/