The road runs from Gettysburg, Pa., site of the pivotal Civil War battle, through Maryland and Jefferson County, W.Va., to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home in Virginia.

The route, which generally follows the Old Carolina Road, was created by a nonprofit group dedicated to promoting American history and culture.

On its Web site, the partnership says its region contains more sites of historical value than any other in the nation, encompassing "11,000 years of dense history from ancient burial grounds and Native American history to 400 years of European, American and African American heritage."

Destinations relate not only to the Civil War, but also to colonial and presidential history, African American heritage, and the grand estates of some prominent Americans, including James Madison and Gen. George C. Marshall.

Along the route are thousands of sites on the National Register of Historic Places, 49 national heritage districts, nine presidential homes, and 13 national park units.

The designation should help the group market its sites and compete for federal funds.