A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for having one or more of six "intrinsic qualities": archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic. The program was established by Congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nation's scenic but often less-traveled roads and promote tourism and economic development. Two National Scenic Byways run through Joliet: Historic Route 66 and Lincoln Highway. They cross each other at the intersection of Cass Street and Chicago Street in downtown Joliet! Both routes through Joliet feature several icons from this travel era as well as public art. The Joliet Area Historical Museum in downtown Joliet also features exhibits.
Joliet Area Historic Museum: https://www.jolietmuseum.org/

Historic Route 66

Historic Route 66 was designated as a National Scenic byway in 2005. Historic Route 66 was one of the original U.S. highways, established November 11, 1926. Beginning in the city of Chicago, IL, running westward through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California, ending in Los Angeles. You can learn more about this important highway here:

• Joliet Kicks on 66: http://www.jolietkicks.com/

• Route 66 Association of Illinois: http://www.il66assoc.org/

Lincoln Highway

Lincoln Highway was designated as a National Scenic byway in 2000. The historic Lincoln Highway route through Illinois is known as U.S. 30, Illinois Routes 31 and 38, as it traverses from the east on the Indian border in Lynwood to the western terminus at the mighty Mississippi in Fulton. Learn more about Lincoln Highway here:

• Lincoln Highway: https://www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org/

General information on the National Scenic Byways Program

National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads Program: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways