© Courtesy of Tennessee River Valley
Tracing the Spirit of the Dixie Highway and America’s Scenic Byways through the Tennessee River Valley
Before there were interstates or GPS, there was the Dixie Highway—a ribbon of road stretching from the Great Lakes to the Gulf, inviting Americans to see the country one small town at a time. More than pavement and mile markers, it was a journey through the heart of Main Street, connecting bustling downtowns and quiet crossroads across the Tennessee River Valley.
Along this early path of adventure, travelers found hand-painted gas stations, cafés serving homemade pie, and porches where locals waved as strangers passed through. The Dixie Highway was America’s first invitation to wander—to roll down the windows, follow the bend of the road, and see what stories waited just beyond the next town square.
Here in the Tennessee River Valley, that spirit still lingers. You can trace its route through historic downtowns rich in heritage and hospitality—places where the hum of a passing car still feels like a thread in a much larger American story.
Today, the Tennessee River Valley champions sustainable tourism that protects the land and waterways at the heart of its story. Travelers are encouraged to explore responsibly—supporting local communities, preserving wildlife habitats, and leaving each byway as beautiful as they found it. This commitment ensures that future generations can enjoy the same natural beauty, cultural heritage, and small-town charm that define the region.
BYWAYS OF DISCOVERY: FOLLOWING THE SPIRIT OF THE DIXIE HIGHWAY
A century later, that same spirit of discovery still winds through the Tennessee River Valley—now along the region’s National Scenic Byways. The names and pavement may have changed, but the call remains the same: slow down, look around, and let the journey be the destination.
The East Tennessee Crossing Byway follows in the footsteps of early pioneers, tracing routes once traveled by Native peoples, settlers, and stagecoaches from the Smoky Mountains to the Cumberland Gap. Every turn reveals a story—from Revolutionary War trails to charming mountain towns like Cumberland Gap and Newport.
To the south, the Brasstown Scenic Byway winds through the southernmost reaches of the Appalachians, offering sweeping views and mountain switchbacks that feel like a love letter to the road itself. The Sequatchie Valley Scenic Byway tells a quieter story—one of fertile farmland and winding rivers, where the pace slows and the landscape glows in soft greens and golden light.
For those chasing the horizon, the Blue Ridge Parkway remains the crown jewel of scenic drives—a road where clouds drift across high ridges and overlooks stretch into forever. Further west, Woodlands Trace and the Natchez Trace Parkway carry travelers through rolling forests and past lakes and heritage sites that whisper of trade routes and frontier life.
Each byway carries a piece of what the Dixie Highway began—a reminder that America’s best stories aren’t found in the fast lane. They live on roads where time lingers, where the scent of pine and river mist fills the air, and where every curve invites you to rediscover the wonder of the open road.
THE ROAD STILL CALLS
From the early days of the Dixie Highway to today’s network of Scenic Byways, the Tennessee River Valley has always been a place where journeys begin. Here, the past and present share the same road—winding through mountain passes, tracing river bends, and rolling into towns that still greet travelers with a smile and a story.
Whether you’re following the old highway or exploring the byways that grew from its path, each mile reminds you that discovery isn’t about how far you go—it’s about how deeply you see.
The open road still calls, just as it did a century ago—inviting you to slow down, look closer, and find your own piece of America along the way.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
Ready to follow the road less traveled? Discover the Tennessee River Valley’s scenic drives, rich history, and small-town charm.
MUST-STOP MAIN STREETS
ALONG THE BYWAYS
• East Tennessee Crossing Byway – Stop in Newport, TN, a gateway to the Smokies, and in Hot Springs, NC, where you can stretch your legs on the Appalachian Trail.
• Brasstown Scenic Byway – Stay at Brasstown Resort and explore Young Harris’s Enchanted Valley.
• Sequatchie Valley Scenic Byway – Drive the “Valley Beautiful.” Don’t miss Foster Falls or the town of Dunlap.
• Cherohala Skyway – Drive the Mile-High Legend, beginning in historic Tellico Plains, TN.
• Woodlands Trace – See where buffalo still roam at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, and visit Paducah, KY, a UNESCO Creative City.
• Natchez Trace Parkway – Follow one of America’s oldest routes, once used by Native peoples and traders. Stop in Iuka, MS (home of America’s Apron Museum), Hohenwald, TN (Elephant Sanctuary),
DID YOU KNOW?
THE LEGACY OF THE DIXIE HIGHWAY
• Commissioned in 1915, the Dixie Highway was part of the National Auto Trail System, years before numbered U.S. highways existed.
• It connected Chicago to Miami, passing through Tennessee towns like Chattanooga, Dayton, and Knoxville.
• The highway wasn’t built all at once; it was a network of local roads, improved piece by piece by communities eager to welcome travelers.
• Its success helped inspire the Federal Highway System in 1926, paving the way for America’s modern interstates.
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Explore the range of experiences to be found in this spectacular geologically diverse valley sometimes called the “Great Lakes of the South.” From white water to flat water paddling; from bouldering to wildflower hikes; from wakeboarding to sailing, from bass fishing to fly fishing; from antiquing to live music, there is an adventure waiting to be discovered by you.