AASHTO Journal - KYTC Helps Issue New State Highway Map

The new 2022-2023 Kentucky Official Highway Map – a collaboration of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Kentucky Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet – aims to spur tourism across the Bluegrass State.

[Above photo by the KYTC]

The new map features photos of attractions, inset maps of Kentucky’s urban areas, a mileage chart, and suggested “must-sees” in each of nine general regions of the state, ranging from the “Western Waterlands” of the Jackson Purchase to the “Kentucky Appalachians” in the east.

“Our official highway map is more than a collection of place names and route lines,” explained Governor Andy Beshear (D) in a statement.

“Kentucky is a destination for unique experiences ranging from outdoor adventures to historic sites, restaurants, arts and more, and this map serves as a guide for travelers and residents alike,” he explained.

The new map also includes safety messages about using seat belts (“Kentucky Buckles Up”) and putting aside phones and other distractions while driving (“Safety first because a wreck only takes a second”), noted KYTC Secretary Jim Gray.

He added that Kentucky’s official highway map “remains as popular and trusted as ever” some 93 years after its first publication – even in an age of satellite navigation.

“We want all of our travelers, visitors and Kentucky residents alike, to enjoy all Kentucky has to offer,” Gray said. “But above all, we want them to be safe on our roadways.”

Mike Berry, secretary of the state’s tourism cabinet, noted that the new map “highlights some of the best road trips” Kentucky has to offer.

“Our abundance of outdoor adventure, breathtaking state parks and thriving arts and culture scene make Kentucky the ultimate destination, guaranteed to inspire any traveler,” he pointed out.

State departments of transportation across the country continue maintain a variety of maps – both online and in print – to detail numerous mobility-related activities; everything from highway travel to bicycle trail maps.

For example, the Illinois Department of Transportation recently issued “new-and-improved” Illinois Official Bike Maps on July 5; a free and convenient resource highlighting the state’s vast bicycle network of trails, paths, and streets.

Maps for each of the agency’s nine districts include new features and designs that make them easier to understand, while including more information on noteworthy stops and attractions easily accessible by bike.

Moreover, in March, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice (R) unveiled a new State Highway Map for 2022 as part of an all-new four-part Vacation Guide.

The four guides each highlight different aspects of what makes West Virginia one of the country’s premier vacation and travel destinations. Titles include Outdoor Recreation, Natural Wonders, Mountain Culture, and, finally, a special guide devoted to America’s newest national park, New River Gorge National Park & Preserve.