North Carolina Highway 42

NC 42
Route information
Maintained by NCDOT
Length:	229 mi (369 km)
Existed:	1922[1] – present
Major junctions
West end:	I-73 / I-74 / US 220 in Asheboro, NC
	US 64 in Asheboro US 1 / US 15 / US 501 in Sanford US 421 in Sanford US 401 in Fuquay-Varina I-40 near Cleveland, Johnston County US 70 in Clayton I-95 near Wilson US 264 near Wilson US 301 in Wilson US 258 near Pinetops US 64 near Bethel US 13 in Ahoskie
East end:	NC 45 in Colerain, NC
Location
Counties:	Randolph, Chatham, Lee, Wake, Johnston, Wilson, Edgecombe, Bertie, Martin, Hertford
Highway system
North Carolina Highway System ← NC 41 NC 43 →

NC 42 is a winding country state highway that bypasses many of the larger cities in the eastern/central part of North Carolina. Despite its long length (229 miles), it is not noted for being convenient for long-distance travel; US 64 often provides a shorter, faster alternative routing for a large part of NC 42's length. Because it is well connected to many other major Interstate and US routes, NC 42 is a local connector for smaller communities along its route.

History

NC 42 was first dedicated in 1922 as a modest 19-mile (31 km) connector from Wilson to Pinetops. In the 1930s & 40s it was extended west to Clayton, and by 1950 it reached Fuquay-Varina. In the late 50s, early 60s it was extended in both directions to Conetoe in the east and Asheboro to the west. The last extension came in 1990 to meet with the I 73/74/US 220 freeway in Asheboro.^[1]

Sources

1. ^ ^{a b} NCRoads - NC 42