U.S. Route 421 in North Carolina

This article is about the section of U.S. Route 421 in North Carolina. For the entire route, see U.S. Route 421.

U.S. Route 421 marker

U.S. Route 421
Route information
Maintained by NCDOT
Length: 328 mi[1] (528 km)
Existed: 1931 – present
Major junctions
South end: Fort Fisher
 
North end: US 421 / SR 34 at the TN line
Location
Counties: New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, Sampson, Harnett, Lee, Chatham, Randolph, Guilford, Forsyth, Yadkin, Wilkes, Watauga
Highway system
← NC 411I‑440 →

U.S. Route 421 traverses approximately 328 miles (528 km) across North Carolina; from Fort Fisher, on a peninsula between the Atlantic and Cape Fear River, to the Tennessee state line near the community of Zionville. The highway is nominally labeled "north" and "south" throughout North Carolina, though it really follows a general "northwest-southeast" path, and the segment from Greensboro to Boone is almost due east-west, with compass "west" corresponding to the signed "north" direction.

Majority of the highway is part of the North Carolina Strategic Highway Corridors system.[2] Because of this designation, the state has made numerous changes converting a rural two-lane highway into a major Freeway/Expressway with 4 or more 6 lanes. Finding a road named "Old U.S. Route 421" is not uncommon along the entire route.

Route description

I-40 BUS/US 421/NC 150 near Kernersville
US 421 South near the Red White and Blue Road (exit 276) in eastern Wilkes County
King Street (US 421), going through downtown Boone

New Hanover County

US 421 starts at a parking/dock area on the Cape Fear side of the peninsula; within a quarter of a mile, the Fort Fisher Ferry Terminal is located where travelers can ride a ferry to Southport. Immediately after the ferry terminal is the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, where the first and second battles of Fort Fisher took place.

The highway continues north, going through popular tourist destinations in New Hanover county: Kure Beach, Wilmington Beach, and Carolina Beach. US 421 eventually enters Wilmington along the riverside of the city. At Wooster Street, it goes west, merging with several other highways and funnel through Brunswick county before returning in northwestern New Hanover county; there it links with I-140 before continuing north towards Clinton.

Down East

From about 3 miles (4.8 km) north of the I-140 interchange, the road remains a 4-lane divided highway for another 10 miles (16 km). After its intersection with NC 210, it becomes a rural two-lane highway for much of its remainder until Dunn. The exception is in Clinton, where it follows Faircloth Freeway to bypass the city, running concurrent to US 701 for about 4 miles (6.4 km). There is one rest area located just north of Delway.[3] Most travelers in this corridor today use I-40, which parallels US 421 10 miles (16 km) to its east. Thus, it is unlikely that this section of US 421 will ever be upgraded as it has been throughout much of the state.

After crossing downtown Dunn and Erwin immediately to the east, US 421 becomes a 4-lane divided highway again until reaching Lillington, with a short segment in Buies Creek containing a center lane and reduced speed limit as it crosses Campbell University. Upon reaching the junction with US 401, NC 27, and NC 210, all four routes collect onto a thoroughfare heading south over the Cape Fear River into downtown Lillington. US 421 then splits off to the west, becoming a 2-lane expressway until Sanford (though speed limit never actually increases).

Lee County to Randolph County

Upon reaching Sanford, US 421 used to follow Horner Boulevard with NC 87 to cross downtown, but it is now rerouted onto the recently completed Sanford Bypass, the entirety of which is freeway. It runs concurrent with NC 87 Bypass until the US 1/US 15/US 501/NC 87 interchange, from which it continues until the end of the bypass near Cumnock. The Sanford Bypass improves greatly upon the efficiency and consistency of the route between Greensboro and Fayetteville, and will alleviate heavy commercial traffic from Horner Boulevard and other major routes crossing downtown.

For the rest of its route until Greensboro, US 421 remains almost entirely free-flowing. It is an expressway from Sanford to just south of Siler City, bypassing Goldston, Bear Creek, and of course Siler City. From here to the Greensboro Urban Loop, US 421 becomes a freeway, bypassing Staley, Liberty, and Julian. All of these cities/places were connected by US 421's old alignment, now called some variant of Old US 421 for the majority of its route.

Piedmont Triad

Near Pleasant Garden, US 421 transitions from an expressway to a freeway by overlapping with I-85; it also goes west from this point till Sugar Grove. As the modern eight-lane I-85/US 421 overlap loops south of Greensboro, it soon connects with I-73 and switches to overlap it. Another six miles later, it switches again to I-40 and continues on towards Winston-Salem. Near Kernersville, US 421 switches one last time with Business Loop I-40 going into downtown Winston-Salem. The freeway section through Winston-Salem is the oldest in the Triad and will typically have some construction for either road or bridge repair; Luckily, people can bypass the downtown area by staying on I-40 then taking exit 188, where US 421 meets up again.

Western Piedmont and Foothills

At either exit 1 (via Business Loop I-40) or exit 188 (via I-40), US 421 separates toward Yadkinville. From Winston-Salem to Wilkesboro, US 421 continues on four-lane freeway, much of which was built between 1992-2002. This section of the highway is mostly farmland, with only Yadkinville as a viable place to stop for food and drink. When the highway nears North Wilkesboro, drivers will be able to see the North Wilkesboro Speedway (access via exit 282); there is also a Visitor Center, built in 2009 as the state's first environmentally friendly rest area, located at mile marker 283.[3] As US 421 enters Wilkesboro city limits, it downgrades to an expressway with various stores and restaurants along it. Travelers should anticipate higher traffic volumes between US 421 Business junction and NC 16 junction in Wilkesboro.

The High Country

As it leaves Wilkesboro, US 421 begins a gradual climbs up the Blue Ridge Mountains, until approximately five miles from Deep Gap where it climbs up significantly. Fortunately, compared to US 221 and US 321 that head towards Boone, US 421 is considered the safest by being the least steep and curvy route. Access to the Blue Ridge Parkway is located at Deep Gap, as US 421 continues on towards Boone.

As US 421 approaches Boone, the expressway comes to an end just before an intersection with Old US 421. The road continues into Boone as four-lane, dropping down to two-lane as it reaches the intersection with US 321. US 321 North, US 421 North, and NC 194 South all run concurrent through the downtown area via King Street. Traffic is typically bumper-to-bumper, so drivers can follow the US 421 Truck route to the NC 105 Bypass (SR 1107) as an alternate to avoid the downtown area. Boone is also unique in that sister routes US 221 and US 321 connect at various points in town; however only the Truck Routes of US 221, US 321, and US 421 join together as they overlap with NC 105 going southwest around town. After leaving Boone, US 421 continues on as a two-lane road to the Tennessee state line, heading on to Mountain City.

US 421 overlaps with two state scenic byways: the Cape Fear Historic Byway, in downtown Wilmington, and the U.S. 421 Scenic Byway, between Deep Gap and Boone.[4]

History

Overlapping US 221, US 321, and US 421 Truck routes along NC 105 in Boone

Future

In Kernersville, the roadway improvements and extension of Macy Grove Road will include the construction of a new interchange with I-40 Business/US 421. Property acquisition is to begin in 2012.[7][8]

In Winston-Salem, shared with I-40 Business, a 1-mile (1.6 km) section from west of Fourth Street to east of Church Street has begun project development studies to completely upgrade and streamline. The project includes removing the existing pavement and replacing it with new concrete pavement, upgrade and modernize entrance and exit ramps, and replace most of the bridges on and over the freeway. No cost or time frame has been given at this time.[9][10]

In New Hanover and Brunswick counties, the Cape Fear Skyway has begun its project development studies (since 2007) to build a toll road and bridge that will bypass Wilmington. Early estimates range from $950–$1.1 billion. The environmental impact study is expected to complete in 2014, a record of decision and a complete financial feasibility will be done in 2015.[11][12]

Junction list

CountyLocationmi[1]kmExitDestinationsNotes
New HanoverFort Fisher0.20.3 NC 211 north – SouthportUS 421 begins .2 miles (0.32 km) south of terminal; Fort Fisher-Southport Ferry
Myrtle Grove13.521.7 NC 132 north (College Road) – WilmingtonSouthern terminus of NC 132
Wilmington1524 US 117 (Shipyard Boulevard) – Wilmington, State Port
1829
US 76 east / US 17 Bus. north (3rd Street) – Wrightsville Beach, Downtown Wilmington		East end of US 76 overlap, north end of US 17 Business overlap
1931Front StreetPartial interchange
Brunswick 2134 US 17 / NC 133 south / US 74 / US 76 west – Bolivia, Southport, WhitevilleSouth end of US 17/US 17 Business/NC 133 overlap, west end of US 74/76 overlap
New Hanover 2235U.S.S. North Carolina Road/Battleship RoadTo the N.C. Battleship
 2439 US 74 east / NC 133 north – Wrightsville Beach, HightsvilleEast end of US 74 overlap, north end of NC 133 overlap
 25.541.0 I‑140 east / US 17 north / NC 140 east – Topsail Island, Jacksonville, New BernNorth end of US 17 overlap
PenderLong Creek38.562.0 NC 210 – Rocky Point, CurrieAlso to Moores Creek National Battlefield on west NC 210
Malpass Corner4471 NC 11 south / NC 53 – Atkinson, BurgawSouth end of NC 11 overlap
 5284 NC 11 north – Penderlea, WillardNorth end of NC 11 overlap
SampsonHarrells6097 NC 41 (Tomahawk Highway/Wallace Highway) – Tomahawk, Wallace
Delway65105 NC 903 (Magnolia-Lisbon Road) – Magnolia, Kenansville
Clinton79127
US 701 south (Garland Highway) / US 701 Bus. north (Sunset Boulevard) – Garland, Clinton		South end of US 701 overlap
80129 To NC 24 east (Tam Road) – Warsaw
81130 NC 24 east (Southwest Boulevard) – WarsawSouthbound entrance and northbound exit, east end of NC 24 overlap
82132 NC 24 west (Sunset Avenue) – Roseboro, FayettevilleWest end of NC 24 overlap
83134 US 701 north (Faircloth Freeway) – Newton GroveNorth end of US 701 overlap
 95153 NC 242 south (Salemburg Highway) – Salemburg, RoseboroSouth end of NC 242 overlap
Spivey's Corner99159 US 13 (Fayetteville Highway/Newton Grove Highway) – Fayetteville, Newton Grove
100161 NC 242 north (Benson Highway) – BensonNorth end of NC 242 overlap
HarnettDunn109175 I‑95 / NC 55 east – Fayetteville, Benson, Newton GroveEast end of NC 55 overlap
110177 US 301 (Clinton Avenue) – Fayetteville, Benson
Erwin114183 NC 55 north / NC 82 south / NC 217 south (13th Street) – Erwin, CoatsWest end of NC 55 overlap
 119192 NC 27 east – CoatsEast end of NC 27 overlap; Harnett County Airport at intersection
Lillington124200 US 401 north (Cornelius Harnett Boulevard) / NC 210 north (Main Street) – Fuquay-VarinaNorth end of US 401 and NC 210 overlap
125201 US 401 south / NC 27 east / NC 210 south (Main Street)South end of US 401/NC 210 overlap, east end of NC 27 overlap
LeeSanford143.3230.6
NC 87 Byp. – Raleigh, Pittsboro, Fayetteville
144232 NC 87 south – FayettevilleSouth end of NC 87 overlap
145233 NC 42 east / NC 78 west (Main Street) – Fuquay-VarinaEast end of NC 42 overlap
147237
US 1 Bus. / NC 42 west (Carthage Street)		West end of NC 42 overlap
149240 US 1 / US 15 / US 501 / NC 87 north – Raleigh, Southern PinesNorth end of NC 87 overlap
Chatham 163262 NC 902 – Pittsboro
 168270168Sam Fields Road – Siler City
Siler City171275171 US 64 – Siler City, Pittsboro
 174280174Piney Grove Church Road
RandolphStaley180290180Old US Highway 421 – Liberty, Staley
Liberty181291181 NC 49 – Liberty, Ramseur
184296Old Liberty Road – Liberty
GuilfordJulian190306 NC 62 – High Point, Burlington
 197317197 I‑85 north to I‑40 – Durham, RaleighNorth end of I-85 overlap
US 421 overlaps with Interstate 85 (exits 126 to 121), Interstate 73 (exits 97 to 103), Interstate 40 (exits 212 to 206), and Interstate 40 Business (exits 16 to 1).
ForsythWinston-Salem234377238 I‑40 / I‑40 Bus. east – Winston-Salem, StatesvilleWest end of Interstate 40 Business overlap
235378239Jonestown Road
236380240Peace Haven Road
Lewisville238383242Lewisville-Clemmons Road – Lewisville, Clemmons
240386244Williams Road – Lewisville
 242389246Shallowford Road
Yadkin 245394249Dinkins Bottoms Road/Baltimore Road
 247398251Spear Bridge Road
 249401253Shacktown Road/Old Stage Road
 252406256Unifi Industrial Road
Yadkinville253407257 US 601 (State Street) – Yadkinville, Mocksville
 255410259Reavis Road
Brooks Crossroads259417263 US 21 – Jonesville
260418264Asbury Church Road
 262422265 I‑77 – Elkin, Statesville, CharlotteNorthbound is exit 265A, southbound is exit 265B
 264425267Windsor Road/Oak Grove Church Road
Wilkes 267430270Dennyville Road
 269433272 To NC 268 (Clingman Road/Somers Road)
 273439276 To NC 268 (Red, White, and Blue Road/Mathis Farm Road)
 274441277Windy Gap Road/Speedway Road
 279449282
US 421 Bus. / NC 115 (Statesville Road) – North Wilkesboro, Statesville
Wilkesboro282454285Brushy Mountain Road – Wilkesboro
283455286A NC 16 south / NC 18 (Cherry Road) – Wilkesboro, Taylorsville, LenoirSouth end of NC 16 overlap
283.5456.2286B NC 268 – Wilkesboro
284457
US 421 Bus. (D Street) – North Wilkesboro
287462 NC 16 north – JeffersonNorth end of NC 16 overlap
WataugaDeep Gap304489Blue Ridge Parkway
305491 US 221 north – West JeffersonNorth end of US 221 overlap
Boone313504 NC 194 north (Jefferson Road) – ToddNorth end of NC 194 overlap
314505 US 221 south / NC 105 south (Highway 105 Extension) – Linville, Banner ElkSouth end of US 221 overlap
314.5506.1 US 321 south (Hardin Street) – Blowing RockSouth end of US 321 overlap
Vilas320515 NC 194 south – Valle CrucisSouth end of NC 194 overlap
Sugar Grove321517 US 321 north – ElizabethtonNorth end of US 321 overlap
State line328528 US 421 north / SR 34 north – Mountain CityContinuation into Tennessee
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Note – Exit numbers west of Winston-Salem are aligned when US 421 went north around Greensboro in late-1980s/early-1990s. As a result from realignments in Greensboro, the actual mileage vs. exit number mileage is off by an average of 3.5 miles (5.6 km).

Alternate names

Though the highway is commonly known as "421" throughout the state, the highway does have other known names it uses locally in areas.

See also

References

External links

U.S. Route 421
Previous state:
Terminus		 North Carolina Next state:
Tennessee
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