A vision where travellers make their way along the Old Hume Highway with a map in hand and a new song playing is becoming a reality.

VicRoads has come on board to help add the highway between Wodonga and Melbourne to a book titled The Old Hume Highway, History Starts with the Road.

The publication was release in 2013 but only covered the road between Sydney and Albury.

Even the smallest thing uncovered could make the biggest difference.- Frank Burke

Non-profit charity group Old Hume Highway 31 negotiated the book’s revision with VicRoads and the RMS.

VicRoads North Eastern Region director Bryan Sherritt said the body would provide $25,000 for the project.

“The Old Hume Highway 31 project has the potential to boost tourism and economic turnover in the communities that have been bypassed by the Hume Freeway,” he said.

“The promotion of these communities will encourage motorists to take more breaks, grab some food or a coffee, and see what the highway towns have to offer.”

The charity organisation, headed by Frank Burke, has been pushing for the road to become a travel path similar to Route 66 in America.

Since initial discussions last July, a CD with a song titled We’re Going Everywhere has produced by the makers of the well-known track I’ve Been Everywhere.

The song includes the names of 86 towns along the highway.

Now, Mr Burke is putting a call out for historic photos, artefacts and documents to be included in the book.

“We have contacted every historical society between Melbourne and Wodonga asking for input,” he said.

“The highway is the road around which Australia was built and it’s the things we don’t know which we are hoping to find.

“Even the smallest thing uncovered could make the biggest difference.”

The long-term aim is to get cars back on the old highway rather than bypassing regional towns on the freeway.

The Wodonga Historical Society is sifting through old photos for the book.

Society secretary treasurer Uta Wiltshire said hopefully members of the public will also have stories to tell about the travel route.

“The book is great for people who are interested in history and have the time to get off the freeway,” she said.

“One of the greatest stories is the 90 degree bend at the corner of High Street and Elgin Boulevard.

“That was the highway and trucks had to do the turn.”

For more information visit oldhumehighway.com.au.