The National Park Service (NPS) transportation system has always been multi-modal and built on partnerships.

In 1926, with the vision to construct a road across the continental divide in Glacier National Park (later to be called Going to the Sun Highway), the NPS and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), formerly the Bureau of Public Roads, forged an agreement that is a model of multi-professional and interagency collaboration that lives on today.

The early NPS also established partnerships with railroad companies, who provided rail spurs and lodges in parks. The Civilian Conservation Corps, another important partner, constructed roads leading to and within many national parks.

Today the program is funded from the Highway Trust Fund, through the annual United States Department of Transportation Appropriation.

In 1983, after the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982, an interagency agreement was developed that laid out the roles and responsibilities of the two agencies. The National Park Service's role is ensuring the protection of the parks and for setting the priority of projects. The FHWA provides engineering expertise, is responsible for program oversight, and is the formal voice to Congress.