If you’ve been craving a getaway that doesn’t involve TSA lines or an airplane ticket that costs more than your rent, Ohio’s scenic byways are calling. With 27 routes to choose from, you can basically throw a dart at a map and end up somewhere beautiful, historic, or just plain charming.
Each byway offers a little something different, including rolling hills, quirky small towns, river views, and more than a few unexpected photo ops. Whether you’re into waterfalls, covered bridges, canal towns, or the kind of old-school diners that still serve pie with a side of sass, there’s a route for you.
What Even Is a Scenic Byway?
Scenic byways are officially designated driving routes that highlight Ohio’s natural beauty, historic sites, and cultural landmarks. Some are part of a national network, while others are state-level gems you’ve probably driven past without realizing they were a whole thing.
They’re perfect for lazy Saturday drives, spontaneous road trips, or those “we should get out of town” moods that hit around Thursday afternoon.
A Few Favorites To Kick Off Your Adventure:
🚀 Neil Armstrong Scenic Byway (State Byway)
Blast off through Wapakoneta and beyond on this scenic tribute to Ohio’s most famous astronaut. Space nerds and road trippers alike will love the mix of hometown charm and out-of-this-world history.
🚗 Amish Country Byway (National Byway)
Think rolling farmland, horse-drawn buggies, and homemade everything. This route feels like stepping into a postcard.
🌲 Hocking Hills Scenic Byway (National Byway)
If you’re chasing waterfalls (yes, TLC was wrong), this one’s for you. Winding roads lead to some of the prettiest hiking trails and overlooks in the state.
🌊 Lake Erie Coastal Trail (National Byway)
Lakeside views, breezy beach towns, and some excellent fried perch sandwiches. Enough said.
🏛️ Historic National Road (National Byway)
A literal slice of American history. This was the first federally funded road, and it’s packed with vintage charm and roadside relics.
🌄 Appalachian Byway (State Byway)
Perfect if you want to pretend you’re in the Smoky Mountains without leaving the state. Southern Ohio shows off here.
🍏 Johnny Appleseed Historic Byway (State Byway)
Follow the trail of the barefoot legend himself. This cozy drive is full of orchards, pioneer history, and small-town Ohio vibes that are chef’s kiss.
🛣️ Lincoln Highway Historic Byway (State Byway)
Before I-70, there was this. Cruise the OG road trip route across northern Ohio, complete with vintage diners, quirky museums, and major “Wish You Were Here” energy.
Planning Your Trip
ODOT (yep, the transportation folks) actually did something cool: they created an interactive Story Map for each byway. You can click around, check out stops, and plan your route like a road trip pro.
Make It Your Own
Whether you’re going full explorer or just looking for a new place to grab lunch, these byways are an easy way to fall in love with Ohio all over again. And yes, they’re perfect for Instagram dumps and main character moments. You can check out all 27 scenic byways by clicking right here.
Tag us if you end up cruising one! We want to see your road trip vibes.
Featured image: Malabar Farm State Park, a stop on the Johnny Appleseed Historic Byway. Photo via Ohio Scenic Byways (Facebook)
