State Route 179 was designated an All America Road by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in September, 2005. New byways have immediate national and international exposure as part of the great America’s Byways collection of “distinct and diverse roads designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation.”

The National Scenic Byways Program is a grass-roots collaborative effort established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation recognizes certain roads as All-American Roads or National Scenic Byways based on one or more archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities.