U.S. Route 221 in North Carolina

U.S. Route 221
Route of US 221 in North Carolina in red
Route information
Maintained by NCDOT
Length:	153.5 mi (247.0 km)
Existed:	1930 – present
Tourist routes:	Little Parkway Scenic Byway
Major junctions
South end:	US 221 at the SC line near Chesnee, SC
	US 74 near Rutherfordton US 221A / NC 108 in Rutherfordton US 64 / US 74A in Rutherfordton I‑40 near Marion US 70 in Marion US 321 / NC 105 in Boone US 421 / NC 105 / NC 194 in Boone US 21 in Twin Oaks
North end:	US 21 / US 221 at the VA line near Independence, VA
Location
Counties:	Rutherford, McDowell, Burke, Avery, Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe
Highway system
United States Numbered Highway System List Special Divided Replaced North Carolina Highway System Interstate U.S. State Scenic ← US 220 NC 222 →

In the U.S. state of North Carolina U.S. Route 221 (US 221) is a north–south highway that travels through Western North Carolina. From Chesnee, South Carolina to Independence, Virginia, it connects the cities of Rutherfordton, Marion, Boone and Jefferson between the two out-of-state destinations. Its most memorable section, known as the Little Parkway Scenic Byway between Linville and Blowing Rock, offers area visitors a curvier alternative to the Blue Ridge Parkway and access to Grandfather Mountain.

US 221 enters from South Carolina as a rural highway, with mostly farms, wooded areas, or homes dotting the road. After 10 miles (16 km) it connects with US 74, where US 74 Business begins its overlap towards Rutherfordton (signs of US 74 Business are scarce throughout). At Rutherfordton, the first major intersection is Charlotte Street, where US 74 Business and US 221A go east. After Rutherfordton, the road reverts to a rural highway, and continues on to Marion.