Historic National Road - Ohio
Historic National Road - Eastern Ohio

Departure: National Road/Zane Grey Museum, Ohio
Destination: Blaine Hill Bridge, Ohio
Time to allow: 1 day

Travel through four historic pike towns as you drive beside lush state parks and over remarkable S-bridges. Indulge yourself in the abundant opportunities for shopping and outdoor activities along this Byway.

Day 1

  • Start: National Road/Zane Grey Museum

    This museum shows three distinct aspects of the region's history and the National Road, as well as memorabilia related to American novelist Zane Grey.

  • Stop 1: Cambridge

    Directions from previous place:

    Go east on US 40 and follow it for 13.8 miles. Turn left onto N. 10th St. and follow it until you get to Cambridge.
    Distance from Previous Site: 13.83 miles / 22.1 km
    Travel Time from Previous Site: 21 minutes
    Suggested Time at This Site: 40 minutes

    Through Cambridge, the National Road is Main Street, a bustling commercial corridor lined with historic buildings. Two blocks north of Main Street is the Wheeling Avenue Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition Cambridge offers byway travelers the opportunity to visit one of several glass museums.

  • Stop 2: Old Washington

    Directions from previous place:

    Go south on N. 10th St. and turn left onto US 40. Follow US 40 for 16.3 miles. Turn left onto Morgans Way and then right onto Old National Rd. This road will take you to Old Washington.
    Distance from Previous Site: 8.21 miles / 13.1 km
    Travel Time from Previous Site: 17 minutes
    Suggested Time at This Site: 10 minutes

    This town is listed on the National Register of Historic places because of the Federal-style and Italianate homes that line its streets. The town is also famous for its role in the Civil War as the site of the northern most battle during the war. Visitors can wander around town looking at the remarkable buildings and learn a bit of history from the locals.

  • Stop 3: Salt Fork State Park

    Directions from previous place:

    Go west on Old National Rd. and turn right when you come to Butternut Ln. Follow this road for about a mile until you get to Lake Ridge Rd. and turn slightly left. Follow this road for 1.7 miles, then turn left onto Allen Ln. Turn right onto Cadiz Rd. and follow it into the park.
    Distance from Previous Site: 3.47 miles / 5.6 km
    Travel Time from Previous Site: 8 minutes
    Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour

    The park has rooms available at the lodge or cottages available for rent. The grounds offer camping, fishing, swimming, picnicking, and even golfing. If it feels like a good day for boating, the park has two marinas with gas, parking, food, and boat rentals.

  • Stop 4: Morristown

    Directions from previous place:

    Go southwest on Cadiz Rd. Turn left onto Allen Ln. Turn right onto Lake Ridge Rd. Take a slight right onto OH 285 and follow it until you merge onto I 70/US 40 going east. Follow US 40 for 20.5 miles. Turn left onto Old US 40 and follow it until it becomes Old National Road. This road will take you into Morristown.
    Distance from Previous Site: 25 miles / 40.0 km
    Travel Time from Previous Site: 33 minutes
    Suggested Time at This Site: 20 minutes

    A well-preserved pike town. Morristown's buildings have changed little since the 19th century.Visitors can view the historic houses and every summer National Pike wagon train comes through town.

  • Stop 5: Barkcamp State Park

    Directions from previous place:

    Go east on Main St. and turn left onto US 40. Follow US 40 until you come to OH 149 and go 1.4 miles. Turn left onto Barkcamp Park Rd. and enter the park.
    Distance from Previous Site: 3.17 miles / 5.1 km
    Travel Time from Previous Site: 8 minutes
    Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes

    The park offers camping, boating, fishing and hunting, swimming, and hiking. At the camp area a piece of American history has been preserved through a barn and renovated cabin.

  • Stop 6: St. Clairsville

    Directions from previous place:

    Go east on Barkcamp Park Rd. and follow it unil it becomes Pancoast Rd. Turn right onto US 40 and follow it for 7 miles. Turn left at N. Market St. and follow it into St. Clairsville.
    Distance from Previous Site: 9.34 miles / 14.9 km
    Travel Time from Previous Site: 21 minutes
    Suggested Time at This Site: 40 minutes

    St. Clairsville's Main St. is alive with history and shopping. Take time to ride a bicycle along the National Road Bikeway or see the Lentz Tavern and Great Western Schoolhouse.

  • End: Blaine Hill Bridge

    Directions from previous place:

    Go south on N. Market St. and turn left onto US 40. Follow US 40 for 4.8 miles until you get to Blaine. As you pass through Blaine on the way to Wheeling you will cross the Blaine Hill Bridge.
    Distance from Previous Site: 4.78 miles / 7.6 km
    Travel Time from Previous Site: 10 minutes

    Take a quick look at the state's oldest bridge that was recently named the state Bicentennial Bridge.

Totals for Day 1

Total Distance Traveled: 67.8 miles / 108.5 km
Total Travel Time: 1 hour 58 minutes
Total Stopping Time: 3 hours 20 minutes