From wagon trails carved through the wilderness to autonomous vehicles testing the future of mobility, transportation in Montgomery County has continually advanced. As Montgomery County commemorates America’s 250th anniversary with the theme "Revolution to Revolutionary," the story of transportation offers an example of how Montgomery County has transformed from a frontier pathway into a center for innovation and advanced technology.

Long before Interstate 81 or autonomous vehicles on the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute’s (VTTI) Smart Road, the region’s transportation story began with the Great Road — a critical colonial-era route that carried settlers, goods, ideas and opportunity through Southwest Virginia and beyond.

Known in Kentucky as the Wilderness Road, the route through Montgomery County was commonly referred to as the Great Road. It served as a major migration corridor for settlers traveling south and west during the 18th and early 19th centuries. The pathway connected communities and opened access to the frontier, eventually leading many travelers toward Kentucky and the western territories. Historical records show that citizens were even appointed to scout, clear and maintain portions of the roadway, emphasizing the route’s importance to daily life and commerce.

Today, Interstate 81 generally follows the same corridor once traveled by wagons, livestock and pioneers — a reminder that modern transportation routes are often built upon historic foundations.

As transportation technology advanced, Montgomery County also evolved. The arrival of the railroad transformed the region, connecting local communities to larger markets and opportunities. Rail transportation brought economic growth and expanded access throughout the New River Valley. Passenger rail will soon play an important role through Amtrak service in Christiansburg once again. The return of passenger rail service reflects both the enduring importance of rail travel and Montgomery County’s continued investment in transportation connectivity.

In the 20th century, automobiles revolutionized mobility throughout Montgomery County and across America. Early vehicles like the Ford Model T dramatically changed how people lived, worked and traveled. Roads improved, communities grew and transportation became increasingly personal and accessible.

Now, Montgomery County is helping shape the next transportation revolution.
At the VTTI’s Smart Road, researchers are testing autonomous vehicle technologies to help redefine transportation safety and mobility for future generations. What began with horse-drawn wagons on the Great Road has evolved into cutting-edge research involving self-driving systems, intelligent infrastructure and advanced transportation technologies.

Montgomery County’s spirit of innovation also extends into aviation and aerospace technologies. Montgomery County is home to companies pushing the boundaries of flight and advanced manufacturing, including Wing, MELD Manufacturing and Aeroprobe.

Wing made national headlines in 2019 with the nation's first commercial drone delivery services, launching deliveries from Christiansburg and demonstrating how drones could transform the future of transportation and commerce. MELD Manufacturing has pioneered large-scale metal 3D printing technologies with applications in aerospace and defense industries, while Aeroprobe develops advanced air data measurement technologies used in aerospace testing and research around the world.

Together, these industries reflect how Montgomery County has grown from a community shaped by historic travel routes into a region helping define the future of transportation innovation.

From the Great Road to the Smart Road, Montgomery County’s transportation story is one of movement, connection and progress — a journey that embodies our community’s spirit of "Revolution to Revolutionary."
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