Virginia's Scenic Byways

Virginia’s scenic byways are a statewide network of routes that lead through landscapes and places with scenic, cultural, historic, natural, or recreational value. Some are quiet local roads; others are nationally recognized parkways. Use the official map to choose a route, then plan time for stops along the way.

What “scenic byway” means

Virginia’s Byway designation is made by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. The state defines a Virginia Byway as a road with relatively high aesthetic or cultural value that leads to or passes through places of historical, natural, or recreational significance. The program dates to the State Scenic Highway and Virginia Byway Act of 1966; the state says more than 3,600 miles of road have been designated.

Virginia’s state byways and its nationally recognized routes are related, but not identical categories. The state lists three All-American Roads—the Blue Ridge Parkway, Colonial Parkway, and George Washington Memorial Parkway—and two National Scenic Byways: Skyline Drive and The Journey Through Hallowed Ground.

Routes to start with

Skyline Drive

A 105-mile drive along the crest of the Blue Ridge through Shenandoah National Park, from Front Royal south to Waynesboro, where it meets the Blue Ridge Parkway. Plan for overlooks and park stops, and check current park conditions before setting out.

Blue Ridge Parkway

This long-distance mountain route runs between Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. Virginia highlights include overlooks, historic structures, trails, waterfalls, Mabry Mill, and Peaks of Otter.

Colonial Parkway

The 23-mile parkway links historic places in the Historic Triangle—Jamestown, Williamsburg, Virginia, and Yorktown. It’s a natural fit for a history-focused drive, with major sites close to the route.

George Washington Memorial Parkway

In Northern Virginia, the parkway follows the Potomac near Washington, D.C. The route offers access to walking and biking trails and to sites including Theodore Roosevelt Island and Alexandria, Virginia.

The Journey Through Hallowed Ground

A history-centered route through Virginia’s Piedmont, associated with important Revolutionary and Civil War locations. Use its official route information to choose stops and shape a trip around the places that interest you.

Find a route on the official map

VDOT’s Scenic Roads and Byways map shows state byways alongside scenic roads and nationally designated routes. It is available as a downloadable map and as an interactive map; print copies can also be ordered or picked up at Virginia welcome centers and safety rest areas.

For a broader road trip, start with a region or destination, then trace the byway through nearby towns, parks, historic sites, and recreation areas. The map is a planning tool, not a guarantee that every stop is open or accessible on a particular day; confirm details with the relevant park or attraction before traveling.

Planning your drive

Allow more time than a direct highway trip would take: byways are intended to connect travelers with scenery and places along the road, and the most rewarding stops may require detours. Check road conditions and closures before departure, especially for routes through mountain parks, and verify opening information for any planned visitor sites. For current Virginia traffic and incident information, consult VDOT’s travel resources.

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References

External links

• Virginia Byways — Virginia Department of Transportation
• VDOT maps, including the Scenic Roads and Byways map
• Virginia byways — Virginia Is for Lovers