It’s been 50 years, since the first rustic road began it all
Gov. Tony Evers, together with the WisDOT, announced the publication of the new 2025 Rustic Roads Guide. The latest edition features backroad trips on 126 Rustic Roads and highlights the 50th anniversary of the first Rustic Road designation in Taylor County.
“We will continue to invest in local road improvements, to help ensure folks can travel from point A to point B safely, and bolster our state’s thriving travel and tourism economy, as well as the small businesses and rural communities, that visitors and Wisconsinites, know and love,” said Evers. “I am proud to celebrate the 50th anniversary and I look forward to the next 50 years of this program.”
Rustic Roads is one of WisDOT’s oldest programs. For half a century, the Rustic Roads program has helped grow Wisconsin’s economy, by encouraging Wisconsinites to visit communities across the state.
The program began in Taylor County, in 1975, and now features approximately 760 miles of scenic, lightly traveled country roads, through 61 counties. Unique brown and yellow signs mark the routes of all officially designated rustic roads, which range from two miles to 37 miles in length, and have a maximum speed limit of 45 mph.
“It’s amazing to see how this program has grown and evolved, since the first Rustic Road was designated 50 years ago,” said WisDOT secretary Kristina Boardman. “This unique local-state partnership provides an enjoyable experience for people of all abilities and the WisDOT is thankful for the ongoing efforts to make this program so strong.”
The 2025 Rustic Roads Guide also features the Scenic Byways Program, which highlights non-interstate highways, primarily along Wisconsin waterways, allowing travelers to explore more of the state’s beauty, recreation, and cultural or historic attributes.
“Rustic Roads in Wisconsin, continue to be popular destinations in all seasons,” said Wisconsin Department of Tourism secretary Anne Sayers. “This guide is the perfect starting point for making memories, exploring the friendly communities and natural beauty Wisconsin is known for, today and for the next 50 years to come.”
For a free copy of the 2025 edition of Wisconsin Rustic Roads, visit travelwisconsin.com or call 800-432-8747.
