The National Road was the first major US highway that was built with federal funds, authorized by President Jefferson in 1806 to connect the Potomac river in Cumberland, Maryland with the Ohio River. Construction began in 1811, reaching the Ohio river by 1818, and eventually completing a roadpath to Vandalia, Illinois by 1839. The National Road served as a vital, historic artery for westward expansion for migration of settlers, it impacted commerce and it opened up the Mississippi River basis for US westward expansion.

The National Road became a major route for early automobile travel, and eventually became US Highway 40. Today, the old roadpath is largely followed by U.S. Route 40, with many sections designated as a scenic byway, with the communities and/or states preserving historic inns, markers, bridges and sections of roadpath.

The original road was built using surveys, right-of-way acquisition, grading, then installing masonry foundations and stone surfacing. Then, in the early 1900s, most of that original road was re-placed with a re-built roadpath composed of a concrete foundation with brick overlay.