Explore NC's history with automatic narration as you drive. Over 1,600 markers, professional audio, and a hands-free Trip Mode perfect for road trips.
NC History Highway delivers all 1,653 of North Carolina's state historical markers - content maintained by professional historians at the NC Office of Archives and History. Hear each story narrated aloud as you drive, with hands-free Trip Mode.
DISCOVER HISTORY EVERYWHERE
- Browse 1,600+ historical markers on an interactive map
- Search by location, county, or keyword
- View high-quality historical photographs
- Read detailed historical essays
- Hear each marker narrated aloud - word for word from the official record
TRIP MODE - HISTORY WHILE YOU DRIVE
Our signature feature automatically detects when you're near a historical marker and plays its story while you drive. Perfect for road trips, commutes, or exploring your neighborhood.
- Hands-free education while driving
- Automatically plays nearby markers
- Background audio - works even when phone is locked
- Adjustable alert radius (500 feet to 50 miles)
- Queue system manages multiple nearby markers
- Works with CarPlay and Android Auto
- Safe and distraction-free
ACHIEVEMENTS & EXPLORATION
Unlock 50 achievements as you explore North Carolina's history:
- Listen achievements for hearing markers and audio time
- Save achievements for bookmarking favorites
- Explore achievements for visiting regions and counties
- Trip achievements for using Trip Mode
- Fun achievements for special locations
FEATURES
- Sign in with Google or Apple to sync across devices
- Save favorite markers for later
- Hide markers to reduce map clutter
- Light and dark themes
- CarPlay and Android Auto support
- Fully accessible with VoiceOver support
EDUCATION FOR EVERYONE
- All content is G-rated and suitable for all ages
- Perfect for students, educators, and history enthusiasts
- No ads, no tracking
- Free to browse and explore with 3 hours of weekly audio
- Optional premium subscription for unlimited audio
- Guest mode - no account required
NC History Highway is created for anyone curious about North Carolina's past. Whether you're a lifelong resident or just visiting, discover the stories behind the places you pass every day.
From colonial settlements to civil rights landmarks, from BBQ capitals to university towns, every marker tells a story. Start exploring today!
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
All subscription tiers unlock the same premium features: unlimited audio narration and achievements. Tier choice reflects your desired level of support.
- Explorer: $19.99/year
- Historian: $39.99/year
- Preservationist: $59.99/year
- Monthly: $6.99/month
All yearly plans include a 7-day free trial. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase.
Ratings & Reviews
5.0
out of 5
5 Ratings
A lot has changed since the last update. Here's what's new:
The daily quiz is here - a quick five-question spin through NC history every day, with a streak to keep up. It draws from the same 1,659 markers you already know.
Listen faster (or slower) - narration speed (0.9x to 1.5x) is now free for everyone, not just premium. Pick what feels right.
Trip mode got a lot of small upgrades that add up: it recovers when you grant location permission mid-session, refreshes correctly the next morning so the homepage shows today's quiz instead of yesterday's score, and bounces back from spotty cell service on back roads without giving up.
The map searches by county now, and it's smarter about how you type marker IDs ("D113", "d-113", "D 113" all work). Save a marker from the detail page and the map's pin updates right away - no more tab-switching.
Settings are reorganized into clearer sections, and there's a new "About the marker content" page that explains exactly where every word and image comes from - no marketing fluff.
Lots of accessibility improvements throughout, especially for screen reader users and folks navigating with reduced motion or higher contrast.
Thanks for driving these stories. If anything sounds off, send a note from Settings - every report comes straight to me.
Version 1.2.0
The developer, NATHANAEL JOHN ERNST, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Linked to You
The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:
Contact Info
Identifiers
Usage Data
Data Not Linked to You
The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:
Location
Usage Data
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
The developer indicated that this app supports the following accessibility features. Learn More
Supported Features
VoiceOver
Larger Text
Dark Interface
Differentiate Without Color Alone
Sufficient Contrast
Reduced Motion
Captions
Information
Seller
NATHANAEL JOHN ERNST
Size
50.5 MB
Category
Education
Compatibility
Requires iOS 15.0 or later.
iPhone Requires iOS 15.0 or later.
iPod touch Requires iOS 15.0 or later.
Location
This app may use your location even when it isn’t open, which can decrease device battery life.