What was the first federally funded road in the United States?

The National Road was the country’s first road built using only federal funds. Construction began in 1811 and was completed in 1834.

Does the National Road have other names?

The National Road is also known as Route 40, the Cumberland Road and the National Turnpike.

Where is the National Road in Maryland?

Maryland’s Historic National Road scenic byway travels from Baltimore to Cumberland, passing through cities like Frederick and Hagerstown. The official National Road begins in Cumberland, Maryland and stretches more than 620 miles west, crossing through Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.

Why is the National Road important in American history?

As the country’s first federally funded road, the National Road was a forerunner to America’s current interstate system.

The Historic National Road: America’s First Highway

Open for Exploration

When originally built, The National Road was America’s first “moonshot” — a road that would carry the young nation west. Carved from forest and mountain, spanning mighty rivers, it was the marvel of its age and stoked the dreams of thousands who followed this macadam and cobblestone ribbon into the frontier. Begun in 1811 to carry settlers and trade from Maryland into the then-wilds of Illinois, The National Road would take four decades to complete.

Through city and town, iconic history and welcoming present, trace a route once traveled by conestoga wagon and stagecoach. Step into adventure and new experiences — slow down, see the places and meet the people who breathe new life into every day along The Historic National Road, also known as “The Road That Built the Nation.”

Kick off your National Road adventure in Baltimore’s vibrant Inner Harbor.

Impress your train lover with a trip to the B & O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, where you can see, touch, hear and explore the most important railroad collection in America.

Make a meaningful stop at the Benjamin Banneker Park and Museum, to explore the legacy of Benjamin Banneker—an African-American mathematician, astronomer, and surveyor who played a pivotal role in mapping the original boundaries of Washington, D.C.

Baltimore to Frederick

Downtown Baltimore, the B & O Railroad and Other Historical Attractions

Including MD 144 & MD 27

Begin at water’s edge in the Inner Harbor area, where you’ll find shopping, fine dining and walking among harborside attractions. Explore the city’s history with the 3-mile Baltimore Inner Harbor-Fells Point Underground Railroad Walking Tour to discover sites where gripping journeys from slavery to freedom began. Then follow Lombard Street to embark on the first portion of the National Road — originally known as the Baltimore National Pike — through several historic neighborhoods, including Union Square, which journalist H.L. Mencken called home. Your next stop is the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum, located inside a beautifully restored roundhouse.

Further west of the city is Catonsville, which was developed in 1810 and became a favorite for summer homes when linked to downtown Baltimore by electric trolley lines. Before crossing the Patapsco River, drive through the charming little town of Oella, which contains the 142-acre Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum, dedicated to the African-American mathematician who helped calculate Washington, D.C.’s boundaries.

Beyond the Patapsco River, Ellicott City has antiques shops and unique restaurants in historic buildings. This old mill town features America’s oldest surviving railroad station, the B & O Railroad Station Museum, as well as Thomas Isaac’s Log Cabin, which served as a National Road way station.

Next comes Mount Airy. Formerly a railroad and turnpike town, it now features an interesting concentration of vineyards that are open for tours and picnics. This area is also popular for its boutiques and antiques, more of which you will find down the road in New Market.

Trip Tips

The Historic National Road weaves through Maryland’s picturesque small towns and vibrant cities, offering a journey rich in charm and character. Stay awhile and make the most of your adventure—each overnight stop gives you more time to discover the history, culture, and hidden gems along this iconic route.

Frederick to Hagerstown

The Appalachian Trail and Beyond

Including MD 144 & US 40 Alt

Downtown Frederick is the hub from which charming Main Street communities, romantic accommodations and inspirational attractions fan out like the spokes of a wagon wheel. Nearly three centuries of architecture are represented at numerous homes and public buildings, including the BARBARA FRITCHIE HOUSE and SCHIFFERSTADT ARCHITECTURAL MUSEUM. The town also features entertainment ranging from theatrical productions to minor-league baseball. At the end of a long day, one of Frederick’s cozy inns or bed and breakfasts is a welcome sight.

As you head out beyond Braddock Heights, stop in the quaint community of Middletown for lunch and take in its Victorian architecture and scenic streetscapes. Make time for a sidetrack into Washington Monument State Park for a hike on the Appalachian Trail to the first monument erected in George Washington’s honor. The park is also located along a noted migratory bird flyway, so bring your binoculars.

In Boonsboro, immerse yourself in the story of America’s first highway at the museum dedicated to the Historic National Road. Discover the road’s national significance, the vehicles that have traveled it over two centuries, and the groundbreaking engineering that earned it the title of “Civil Engineering Landmark.”

South of Boonsboro, the Washington County Rural Heritage Museum includes an exhibit about the National Road in its heyday.

Continuing west, the farmland of Funkstown is dotted with Pennsylvania-Dutch bank barns and smaller English-style structures.

Take an excursion on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad's steam train in Cumberland. Travel through pastoral farmland and wooded gorges to the mountain town of Frostburg.

Downtown Cumberland's Arts & Entertainment District is home to the Allegany Arts Council and several galleries, museums, theatres, studios, and a variety of retail and specialty stores among stunning architecture.

Explore “The Road That Built the Nation” from Hagerstown to Grantsville through Maryland’s green mountains on our Historic National Road western section.

From tranquil waterside vistas to rolling hills and peaceful trails, you’ll find perfect places to relax, recharge, and enjoy the great outdoors along the Historic National Road Scenic Byway, like at Rocky Gap State Park.

The Historic National Road Scenic Byway is packed with delicious dining and drink options, like those you’ll find at Schmankerl Stube in Hagerstown. Whether you're craving local cuisine or a craft brew, there’s something to satisfy every taste along the way.

Discover great fly fishing spots along the Historic National Road Scenic Byway—cast your line into the scenic Casselman River for an unforgettable angling experience.

Hagerstown to Cumberland

Fort Frederick State Park, Washington County Museum of Fine Arts and More

Including US 40, I-68, I-70 & MD 144

So many early railroad lines were linked into Hagerstown that it earned the nickname “Hub City.” The C&O Canal also flowed through this area, whose towpath trail now draws legions of bicyclists and hikers.

The town itself — featuring the South Prospect Street Historic District — has a roundhouse museum among several other sites dedicated to preserving local history, including the Jonathan Hager House Museum. Hagerstown highlights include the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, the Hagerstown Cultural Trail, featuring work from internationally recognized artists, and the self-guided Hagerstown Underground Railroad Walking Tour.

Traveling along US 40 toward Clear Spring, look for the Wilson Bridge Neighborhood Park, a small waterfront park that offers a fine view of the five stone arches that support the 210-foot-long Wilson Bridge. Dating back to 1819, it’s the oldest and longest bridge of its kind in Washington County. It is also the site of the 160-year-old Wilson Country School and Store. Take a sidetrack south along MD 56 to Fort Frederick State Park. Based in Big Pool, the fort was the cornerstone of Maryland’s defense more than 250 years ago during the French & Indian War.

Next up is Hancock, where the C & O Canal National Historical Park offers a deeper exploration of canal life. After a climb up Sideling Hill, which was the scene of many stagecoach mishaps due to the steep turns, you’re ready for a relaxing round of golf amid the ridges and valleys of Rocky Gap Lodge, Spa & Golf Course, followed by a satisfying stay there or in Cumberland.

Take a Side Trip

Thirty miles south of Grantsville, the Deep Creek Lake area offers year-round recreation that ranges from boating, fishing and water skiing on Maryland’s largest freshwater lake to snowtubing and skiing down Wisp Mountain. Campgrounds and vacation rental properties are among many lodging options.

Cumberland to State Line

Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, Savage River State Forest and The Mason-Dixon Line

Including US 40 Scenic, I-68, US 40 & US 40 Alt

Cumberland, like Hagerstown, was a transportation crossroads with ties to highway, railroad and canal transportation, and is now just as popular for its galleries, theaters and museums.

The section of the National Road that goes from Cumberland to the Pennsylvania state line had its beginnings in a remarkable partnership between Chief Nemacolin of the Delaware (Lenni-Lenape) tribe and British-born Maryland colonist Thomas Cresap. The two worked together to create Nemacolin’s Path—a widened and improved Indigenous trail that later influenced the path of this portion of the National Road.

Take a steam-engine train ride on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad or an exhilarating bike ride on the Great Allegheny Passage rail trail to Frostburg, site of the nationally known Thrasher Carriage Museum.

In LaVale, the route passes Maryland’s only remaining national toll gate house, outside of which a plaque still displays the cost for wagons, animals and pedestrians to pass.

As you follow the Byway west from Grantsville, make time to stop and read the historical marker about the anachronistically named “Negro Mountain” to learn the story of the man for whom the mountain was named. The marker relates the story of an African-American frontiersman who, in 1756, marched from Fort Cumberland with Thomas Cresap and was killed during a skirmish with Native American French allies. As a testament to his bravery, the mountain was named for him.

Conestoga wagons once crossed the Casselman River Bridge , a single-span, stone-arch structure built for the National Road near Grantsville in 1813. The bridge now connects a state park to the Spruce Forest Artisan Village, site of a former stagecoach stop. The village serves as a cultural center promoting local arts, crafts and music from the Appalachian Mountain region of Maryland.

US 40 Alternate then winds through the northern section of Savage River State Forest and over Keysers Ridge to the Mason-Dixon Line.