Tennessee motorists crossing the state line will soon be greeted by a brand-new look.

Tennessee’s first new welcome signs in 30 years | Photo: TDOT

The state officially unveiled a redesigned “Welcome to Tennessee” sign Monday, marking the first major update to Tennessee’s iconic welcome signs in more than three decades. The new design was introduced during a ceremony at the Unicoi County Welcome Center in Erwin, near the North Carolina border.

Governor Bill Lee joined officials from the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development for the unveiling, which kicks off a statewide effort to modernize Tennessee’s gateway signage.

According to state officials, the new signs are designed to create a more welcoming and recognizable brand for Tennessee travelers while highlighting the state’s natural beauty and tourism appeal. The updated design features a cleaner, more modern appearance that will gradually replace the familiar welcome signs that have greeted visitors since the early 1990s.

The first sign was installed at the Unicoi County Welcome Center along Interstate 26 in East Tennessee. Additional signs are expected to be placed at entry points across the state over time as the rollout continues.

State leaders say the updated signage is part of a broader effort to strengthen Tennessee’s image as a destination for tourism, business, and economic development. Tennessee welcomes millions of visitors each year through its interstate highways, making the welcome signs one of the first impressions many travelers receive when entering the Volunteer State.

The unveiling comes as Tennessee continues to experience record tourism growth and increased travel throughout the region. Officials hope the refreshed design will help showcase the state’s identity to visitors for decades to come.