U.S. Route 21: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Highway in the United States}} |
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{{Redirect|US 21|the yacht model|US Yachts US 21}} |
{{Redirect|US 21|the yacht model|US Yachts US 21}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} |
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{{Use American English|date=August 2023}} |
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{{Infobox road |
{{Infobox road |
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|country=USA |
| country = USA |
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|type=US |
| type = US |
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|route=21 |
| route = 21 |
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|map={{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|frame-height=240|type=line|from=U.S. Route 21.map}} |
| map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|frame-height=240|type=line|from=U.S. Route 21.map}} |
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|map_custom=yes |
| map_custom = yes |
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|map_notes=US 21 highlighted in red |
| map_notes = US 21 highlighted in red |
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|maint=[[South Carolina Department of Transportation|SCDOT]], [[North Carolina Department of Transportation|NCDOT]], and [[Virginia Department of Transportation|VDOT]] |
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|length_mi= |
| length_mi = 393 |
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|length_ref={{citation needed|date=February 2018}} |
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| length_ref = <ref>Total length is calculated from route mileages provided by each state DOT.</ref> |
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|tourist={{Plainlist| |
| tourist = {{Plainlist| |
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*[[File:South Carolina Scenic Byway.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] McTeer Bridge Scenic Byway |
*[[File:South Carolina Scenic Byway.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] McTeer Bridge Scenic Byway |
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*[[File:South Carolina Scenic Byway.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] US 21 Scenic Byway |
*[[File:South Carolina Scenic Byway.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] US 21 Scenic Byway |
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}} |
}} |
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| established = {{start date|1926|11|11}}<ref name="1926 Map">{{cite map |author1= [[Bureau of Public Roads]] |author2= [[American Association of State Highway Officials]] |date= November 11, 1926 |title= United States System of Highways Adopted for Uniform Marking by the American Association of State Highway Officials |url= https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:United_States_System_of_Highways_Adopted_for_Uniform_Marking_by_the_American_Association_of_State_Highway_Officials.jpg |scale= 1:7,000,000 |location= Washington, DC |publisher= [[United States Geological Survey]] |oclc= 32889555 |access-date= May 24, 2024 |via= [[Wikimedia Commons]] |name-list-style= amp}}</ref> |
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|established=1926{{citation needed|date=February 2018}} |
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|direction_a=South |
| direction_a = South |
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|direction_b=North |
| direction_b = North |
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|terminus_a=[[Hunting Island State Park|Hunting Island State Park, SC]] |
| terminus_a = [[Hunting Island State Park|Hunting Island State Park, SC]] |
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|junction={{Plainlist| |
| junction = {{Plainlist| |
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*{{Jct|state=SC|I|95}} near [[Yemassee, South Carolina|Yemassee, SC]] |
*{{Jct|state=SC|I|95}} near [[Yemassee, South Carolina|Yemassee, SC]] |
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*{{Jct|state=SC|I|26}} (three times in [[South Carolina|SC]]) |
*{{Jct|state=SC|I|26}} (three times in [[South Carolina|SC]]) |
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Line 26: | Line 29: | ||
*{{Jct|state=NC|I|40}} in [[Statesville, North Carolina|Statesville, NC]] |
*{{Jct|state=NC|I|40}} in [[Statesville, North Carolina|Statesville, NC]] |
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}} |
}} |
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|terminus_b={{Jct|state=VA|I|81|US|52}} in [[Wytheville, Virginia|Wytheville, VA]] |
| terminus_b = {{Jct|state=VA|I|81|US|52}} in [[Wytheville, Virginia|Wytheville, VA]] |
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|states=[[South Carolina]], [[North Carolina]], [[Virginia]] |
| states = [[South Carolina]], [[North Carolina]], [[Virginia]] |
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|counties='''SC:''' [[Beaufort County, South Carolina|Beaufort]], [[Hampton County, South Carolina|Hampton]], [[Colleton County, South Carolina|Colleton]], [[Bamberg County, South Carolina|Bamberg]], [[Orangeburg County, South Carolina|Orangeburg]], [[Calhoun County, South Carolina|Calhoun]], [[Lexington County, South Carolina|Lexington]], [[Richland County, South Carolina|Richland]], [[Fairfield County, South Carolina|Fairfield]], [[Chester County, South Carolina|Chester]], [[York County, South Carolina|York]]<br />'''NC:''' [[Mecklenburg County, North Carolina|Mecklenburg]], [[Iredell County, North Carolina|Iredell]], [[Yadkin County, North Carolina|Yadkin]], [[Surry County, North Carolina|Surry]], [[Wilkes County, North Carolina|Wilkes]], [[Alleghany County, North Carolina|Alleghany]]<br />'''VA:''' [[Grayson County, Virginia|Grayson]], [[Wythe County, Virginia|Wythe]] |
| counties = '''SC:''' [[Beaufort County, South Carolina|Beaufort]], [[Hampton County, South Carolina|Hampton]], [[Colleton County, South Carolina|Colleton]], [[Bamberg County, South Carolina|Bamberg]], [[Orangeburg County, South Carolina|Orangeburg]], [[Calhoun County, South Carolina|Calhoun]], [[Lexington County, South Carolina|Lexington]], [[Richland County, South Carolina|Richland]], [[Fairfield County, South Carolina|Fairfield]], [[Chester County, South Carolina|Chester]], [[York County, South Carolina|York]]<br />'''NC:''' [[Mecklenburg County, North Carolina|Mecklenburg]], [[Iredell County, North Carolina|Iredell]], [[Yadkin County, North Carolina|Yadkin]], [[Surry County, North Carolina|Surry]], [[Wilkes County, North Carolina|Wilkes]], [[Alleghany County, North Carolina|Alleghany]]<br />'''VA:''' [[Grayson County, Virginia|Grayson]], [[Wythe County, Virginia|Wythe]] |
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|system1={{infobox road/browselinks/USA|state=SC}} |
| system1 = {{infobox road/browselinks/USA|state=SC}} |
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|system2={{infobox road/browselinks/USA|state=NC}} |
| system2 = {{infobox road/browselinks/USA|state=NC}} |
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|system3={{infobox road/browselinks/USA|state=VA}} |
| system3 = {{infobox road/browselinks/USA|state=VA}} |
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|browse={{Us browse|previous_type=US|previous_route=20|next_type=US|next_route=22|route=[[List of United States Numbered Highways|US]]}}{{sc browse|previous_type=SC|previous_route=20|route=SC|next_type=SC|next_route=22}}{{nc browse|previous_type=NC|previous_route=20|route=NC|next_type=NC|next_route=22}}{{va browse|previous_type=VA|previous_route=20|route=VA|next_type=VA|next_route=22}} |
| browse = {{Us browse|previous_type=US|previous_route=20|next_type=US|next_route=22|route=[[List of United States Numbered Highways|US]]}}{{sc browse|previous_type=SC|previous_route=20|route=SC|next_type=SC|next_route=22}}{{nc browse|previous_type=NC|previous_route=20|route=NC|next_type=NC|next_route=22}}{{va browse|previous_type=VA|previous_route=20|route=VA|next_type=VA|next_route=22}} |
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}} |
}} |
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'''U.S. Route 21''' or '''U.S. Highway 21''' ('''US 21''') is a |
'''U.S. Route 21''' or '''U.S. Highway 21''' ('''US 21''') is a north–south [[United States Numbered Highway]], spanning {{convert|393|mi|km}} from [[Hunting Island State Park]], [[South Carolina]], to [[Wytheville, Virginia]]. The route traverses three states, South Carolina, [[North Carolina]], and Virginia. It connects southeastern cities, including [[Columbia, South Carolina]], and [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]. |
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US 21 starts at Hunting Island State Park, bypasses [[Beaufort, South Carolina]], and then heads north across [[South Carolina Lowcountry|the low country]], paralleling [[Interstate 77]] (I-77) through urban and rural areas before entering North Carolina. In North Carolina, US 21 frequently merges with and splits from I-77. The route enters Virginia, passing through hilly terrain before ending at the intersection of [[Interstate 81]] (I-81) / [[U.S. Route 52]] (US 52) in Wytheville. |
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Despite the "1" indicating that it is a major north–south highway, US 21 only travels through three states and is no longer a cross-country route, as many sections have been replaced by I-77 in [[Ohio]] and [[West Virginia]]. Historically, US 21 was longer before the [[Interstate Highway System]] was established. US 21 originally ran from [[Cleveland, Ohio]], to [[Yemassee, South Carolina]], it was later extended to Beaufort and Hunting Island State Park. Over time, its length was reduced, making it the second-shortest major north–south route after [[U.S. Route 91]] (US 91). |
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US 21 serves as an alternative to the more heavily trafficked interstates in the area, particularly I-77, I-26, and [[Interstate 95]] (I-95). |
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==Route description== |
==Route description== |
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{{Lengths table}} |
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|SC |
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|{{Convert|233|mi|km|disp=table}} |
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|NC |
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|{{Convert|125|mi|km|disp=table}} |
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|VA |
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|[[u.S. Route 21 in Virginia|VA]] |
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|{{ |
|{{Convert|35|mi|km|disp=table}} |
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|Total |
|Total |
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|{{ |
|{{Convert|393|mi|km|disp=table}} |
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===South Carolina=== |
===South Carolina=== |
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US 21 travels {{convert|233.2|mi|km}} through the state. Beginning at [[Hunting Island State Park]], US 21 travels west toward |
US 21 travels {{convert|233.2|mi|km}} through the state. Beginning at [[Hunting Island State Park]], US 21 travels west toward Beaufort, where it widens to four lanes. The route bypasses Beaufort to the south, going through [[Port Royal, South Carolina|Port Royal]], [[Shell Point, South Carolina|Shell Point]], and [[Burton, South Carolina|Burton]]. In the Beaufort area, US 21 passes by the entrances to [[Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island|Parris Island]] and [[Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort]], the major Marine Corps installations in the area. North of Beaufort, US 21 continues as a four-lane [[divided highway]] and intersects with [[U.S. Route 17 in South Carolina|US 17]]. The route travels in a [[wrong-way concurrency]] with US 17 south for {{convert|7|mi|km|spell=in}} before turning north toward [[Yemassee, South Carolina|Yemassee]], where it becomes a rural two-lane road and intersects with [[U.S. Route 17 Alternate|US 17 Alternate]]. North of Yemassee, US 21 splits off and crosses [[Interstate 95 in South Carolina|I-95]] at exit 42. |
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The two-lane route continues through rural portions of the state. US 21 goes through [[Smoaks, South Carolina|Smoaks]] and [[Branchville, South Carolina]] and bypasses [[Orangeburg, South Carolina|Orangeburg]]. North of Orangeburg, US 21 runs roughly parallel to [[Interstate 26|I-26]] until [[Gaston, South Carolina|Gaston]] where it conjoins [[U.S. Route 321|US 321]] and becomes an urban highway. US 21 passes through [[Cayce, South Carolina|Cayce]], [[West Columbia, South Carolina|West Columbia]], and [[Columbia, South Carolina|Columbia]]. |
The two-lane route continues through rural portions of the state. US 21 goes through [[Smoaks, South Carolina|Smoaks]] and [[Branchville, South Carolina|Branchville]] and bypasses [[Orangeburg, South Carolina|Orangeburg]]. North of Orangeburg, US 21 runs roughly parallel to [[Interstate 26 in South Carolina|I-26]] until [[Gaston, South Carolina|Gaston]] where it conjoins [[U.S. Route 321 in South Carolina|US 321]] and becomes an urban highway. US 21 passes through [[Cayce, South Carolina|Cayce]], [[West Columbia, South Carolina|West Columbia]], and [[Columbia, South Carolina|Columbia]]. |
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North of Columbia, US 21 splits from US 321, reverting to a rural two-lane road parallel to [[Interstate 77 in South Carolina|I-77]]. In [[York County, South Carolina|York County]], US 21 enters urban areas again, connecting [[Rock Hill, South Carolina|Rock Hill]] and [[Fort Mill, South Carolina|Fort Mill]]. Near the [[North Carolina]] state line, US 21 merges with |
North of Columbia, US 21 splits from US 321, reverting to a rural two-lane road parallel to [[Interstate 77 in South Carolina|I-77]]. In [[York County, South Carolina|York County]], US 21 enters urban areas again, connecting [[Rock Hill, South Carolina|Rock Hill]] and [[Fort Mill, South Carolina|Fort Mill]]. Near the [[North Carolina]] state line, US 21 merges with I-77 near [[Carowinds]], then enters North Carolina. |
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===North Carolina=== |
===North Carolina=== |
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[[File:Eastern Continental Divide - panoramio.jpg|thumb|left|US 21 crossing the Eastern Continental Divide at Roaring Gap, North Carolina]] |
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US 21 begins as a [[concurrency (road)|concurrency]] with [[Interstate 77 in North Carolina|I-77]] in [[Charlotte]], which it repeats three times within the state. Its first break with I-77 is along Statesville Avenue, then proceeding through [[Huntersville, North Carolina|Huntersville]] and [[Cornelius, North Carolina|Cornelius]], however, because of its close proximity to |
US 21 begins as a [[concurrency (road)|concurrency]] with [[Interstate 77 in North Carolina|I-77]] in [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]], which it repeats three times within the state. Its first break with I-77 is along Statesville Avenue, then proceeding through [[Huntersville, North Carolina|Huntersville]] and [[Cornelius, North Carolina|Cornelius]], however, because of its close proximity to I-77 and [[North Carolina Highway 115]] (NC 115), it has no interchange with [[Interstate 485|I-485]] by itself. The second break with I-77 occurs at [[Mooresville, North Carolina|Mooresville]], where US 21 travels through the city and then northwest into [[Statesville, North Carolina|Statesville]]. After Statesville, US 21 travels northeast to [[Harmony, North Carolina|Harmony]] and [[Brooks Crossroads, North Carolina|Brooks Crossroads]], before merging back with I-77 near [[Jonesville, North Carolina|Jonesville]]. However, Jonesville and [[Elkin, North Carolina|Elkin]] connect with [[U.S. Route 21 Business (Elkin, North Carolina)|US 21 Bus.]] through centers of both towns, as an alternate route paralleling I-77. North of Elkin, US 21 splits with I-77 for the last time and goes north to [[Sparta, North Carolina|Sparta]], passing the [[Blue Ridge Parkway]] after a major, curvy section. North of Sparta, at [[Twin Oaks, North Carolina|Twin Oaks]], [[U.S. Route 221 in North Carolina|US 221]] overlaps with US 21 before entering [[Virginia]]. US 21 travels {{convert|124.5|mi|km}} through the western Piedmont of North Carolina, either combined with I-77 or as a two-lane rural road; from the South Carolina state line to Elkin, travelers can easily skip a majority of US 21 via I-77. |
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===Virginia=== |
===Virginia=== |
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[[File:2017-06-25 18 48 56 View south along U.S. Route 21 (Elk Creek Parkway) at Spring Valley Road (Virginia State Secondary Route 805) in northern Grayson County, Virginia.jpg|thumb|left|View south along US |
[[File:2017-06-25 18 48 56 View south along U.S. Route 21 (Elk Creek Parkway) at Spring Valley Road (Virginia State Secondary Route 805) in northern Grayson County, Virginia.jpg|thumb|left|View south along US 21 at [[Virginia State Route 805|State Route 805]] (SR 805) in Grayson County, Virginia]] |
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After a few miles crossing the state line, US 21 reaches the town of [[Independence, Virginia|Independence]], where it splits with US 221 and continues north. The route goes through the [[Mount Rogers National Recreation Area]] before entering the city of [[Wytheville, Virginia|Wytheville]]. After a short concurrency with [[U.S. Route 11 in Virginia|US 11]] in downtown Wytheville, it goes north and ends at the intersection of [[Interstate 81 in Virginia|I-81]]/[[U.S. Route 52 in Virginia|US 52]]. US 21 travels {{convert|35|mi|km}} through western Virginia, mostly as a two-lane rural mountain road. |
After a few miles crossing the state line, US 21 reaches the town of [[Independence, Virginia|Independence]], where it splits with US 221 and continues north. The route goes through the [[Mount Rogers National Recreation Area]] before entering the city of [[Wytheville, Virginia|Wytheville]]. After a short concurrency with [[U.S. Route 11 in Virginia|US 11]] in downtown Wytheville, it goes north and ends at the intersection of [[Interstate 81 in Virginia|I-81]]/[[U.S. Route 52 in Virginia|US 52]]. US 21 travels {{convert|35|mi|km}} through western Virginia, mostly as a two-lane rural mountain road. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[File:US |
[[File:US 21 End - Hunting Island, SC.jpg|thumb|right|Southern terminus of US 21 at Hunting Island, South Carolina]] |
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US 21 in the pre-Interstate era was a north–south highway connecting the area around [[Lake Erie]] and the coastal South. One of the few true north–south routes to cross the middle Appalachian Mountains, it became an important corridor for motor traffic between northeastern [[Ohio]], western [[Pennsylvania]], (with [[U.S. Route 19|US 19]]) and western [[New York state]] with central [[North Carolina]], central and southeastern [[South Carolina]], and (by connecting with other highways) coastal [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] and most of [[Florida]]. Many referred to the stretch of |
US 21 in the pre-Interstate era was a north–south highway connecting the area around [[Lake Erie]] and the coastal South. One of the few true north–south routes to cross the middle [[Appalachian Mountains]], it became an important corridor for motor traffic between northeastern [[Ohio]], western [[Pennsylvania]], (with [[U.S. Route 19|US 19]]) and western [[New York (state)|New York]] with central [[North Carolina]], central and southeastern [[South Carolina]], and (by connecting with other highways) coastal [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] and most of [[Florida]]. Many referred to the stretch of US 21 from the Great Lakes Region to Florida as "The Lakes-to-Florida Highway". |
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US 21 originally (in 1926) connected |
US 21 originally (in 1926) connected Cleveland, Ohio, and Yemassee, South Carolina. In 1935 it was extended to Beaufort, South Carolina, and again in 1953 to its current southern terminus at the [[East Coast of the United States|Atlantic Coast]] at Hunting Island State Park, between the city of Beaufort and [[Fripp Island, South Carolina|Fripp Island]].<ref name="termini">{{cite web |last = Sanderson |first = Dale |date = July 4, 2009 |url = http://www.usends.com/21.html |title = End of US Highway 21 |work = US Ends |publisher = Self-published |access-date = February 2, 2011 |archive-date = December 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161222083814/http://www.usends.com/21.html |url-status = live }}</ref>{{Unreliable source? |failed= y |date= June 2012}} |
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In the [[Interstate Highway System|Interstate Highway]] era much of US 21 became an obvious corridor for a long-distance expressway. The [[West Virginia Turnpike]] between [[Charleston, West Virginia]], and [[Princeton, West Virginia]], was the first segment of a planned series of toll highways along or near US 21 from Cleveland to [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]. All |
In the [[Interstate Highway System|Interstate Highway]] era, much of US 21 became an obvious corridor for a long-distance expressway. The [[West Virginia Turnpike]] between [[Charleston, West Virginia]], and [[Princeton, West Virginia]], was the first segment of a planned series of toll highways along or near US 21 from Cleveland to [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]. All the other toll highways were shelved in favor of freeways built with Interstate funding; these freeways and the West Virginia Turnpike became [[Interstate 77 in West Virginia|I-77]], which completely supplanted old US 21 as a long-distance through route. I-77 was later extended to [[Columbia, South Carolina]], also within a few miles of US 21. |
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Between Cleveland and Charleston, all but a relatively short segment of US 21 was completely deleted in favor of I-77, the relics being as follows: |
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Between Cleveland and Charleston, all but a relatively short segment of US 21 was completely deleted in favor of I-77, the relics being [[Ohio State Route 21|State Route 21]] (SR 21), [[Ohio State Route 821|SR 821]] between [[Byesville, Ohio|Byesville]] and [[Marietta, Ohio]], and Guernsey County Road 35 and Tuscarawas County Road 3 (Salt Fork Road), named Old Twenty-One Road and closely follows the route of US 21 from Byesville, Ohio to the village of Newcomerstown, Ohio. County Road 35 briefly becomes a variety of street names as it passes through [[Cambridge, Ohio|Cambridge]], such as Byesville Road, North Avenue, 11th Street, and Clark Street, before reverting to Old Twenty-One Road on the north side of Cambridge. From there, much of the old US 21 is still intact, however, some sections were demolished and redirected in favor of I-77. Once crossing the Guernsey/Tuscarawas county line, it becomes Salt Fork Road for about a mile, before joining Ohio State Route 258, which takes it the rest of the way to Newcomerstown. In total, the entire section of Old Twenty-One Road between North Cambridge and Newcomerstown is a total of 22.5 miles. The section of US 21 between Mineral Wells and Charleston is now signed as County Route 21 in all four counties along the route ([[Wood County, West Virginia|Wood]], [[Wirt County, West Virginia|Wirt]], [[Jackson County, West Virginia|Jackson]], and [[Kanawha County, West Virginia|Kanawha]]). |
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* [[Ohio State Route 21|State Route 21]] (SR 21) between Cuyahoga Heights and Strasburg;{{cn|date=June 2024}} |
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⚫ | Between Charleston and its current northern terminus at [[Wytheville, Virginia]], almost all of US 21 |
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* [[Ohio State Route 821|SR 821]] between I-77 near [[Byesville, Ohio|Byesville]] and SR 60 near [[Marietta, Ohio]];{{cn|date=June 2024}} |
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* County Road 35 (CR 35, Oakwood Road, Byesville Road, Old Twenty-One Road) between Byesville and the Guernsey–Tuscarawas county line;{{cn|date=June 2024}} |
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* CR 3 (Salt Fork Road) between the Guernsey–Tuscarawas county line to SR 258{{cn|date=June 2024}} |
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* CR 21 between Newcomerstown and New Philadelphia{{cn|date=June 2024}} |
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* County Route 21 (CR 21) between Mineral Wells and Charleston.{{cn|date=June 2024}} |
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⚫ | Between Charleston and its current northern terminus at [[Wytheville, Virginia]], almost all of US 21 ran concurrently with either [[U.S. Route 60 in West Virginia|US 60]], [[U.S. Route 19 in West Virginia|US 19]], or [[U.S. Route 52|US 52]], which remained as US 21 was deleted. The short segment of US 21 in southern West Virginia not coinciding with another U.S. Highway became an extension of [[West Virginia Route 16]]. |
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In North Carolina, US 21 originally entered the state along today's [[North Carolina Highway 51|NC 51]] into Pineville, then followed Old Pineville Road into Charlotte. In the mid-1930s, US 21 moved over to South Boulevard from Old Pineville Road. In 1969, US 21 was rerouted following today's [[Interstate 77 in North Carolina|I-77]] alignment, the old route was replaced by an extension of US 521. From |
In North Carolina, US 21 originally entered the state along today's [[North Carolina Highway 51|NC 51]] into Pineville, then followed Old Pineville Road into Charlotte. In the mid-1930s, US 21 moved over to South Boulevard from Old Pineville Road. In 1969, US 21 was rerouted following today's [[Interstate 77 in North Carolina|I-77]] alignment, the old route was replaced by an extension of US 521. From 1975–1987, US 21 moved north in segments onto I-77 to its current alignment ending at exit 16A (Sunset Road). Further north, US 21 originally followed Old Statesville Road, replaced in 1956 by [[North Carolina Highway 115|NC 115]]. In 1966, US 21 was bypassed around Jonesville and Elkin, replaced with US 21 Bus.<ref>{{cite web |author1 = Mapmikey |first2 = Adam |last2 = Prince |date = August 28, 2009 |url = http://www.members.cox.net/ncroads/us021.html |work = NCRoads.com Annex: More Highways of North Carolina |title = US 21 |publisher = Self-published |access-date = February 2, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110616031904/http://www.members.cox.net/ncroads/us021.html |archive-date = June 16, 2011 }}</ref>{{Unreliable source? |failed= y |date= June 2012}} |
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US |
US 21 in Beaufort, South Carolina, was rerouted around the city over former [[South Carolina Highway 280|SC 280]] as well as a portion of [[South Carolina Highway 802|SC 802]]. The new routing went into effect on February 26, 2012.<ref>{{cite news |agency = Associated Press |title = Federal highway rerouted through Beaufort area |url = https://www.postandcourier.com/federal-highway-rerouted-through-beaufort-area/article_a9ab4e5d-f009-5b67-9ba0-e695d11a3e07.html |access-date = March 17, 2023 |work = Post and Courier |language = en }}</ref> |
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==Major intersections== |
==Major intersections== |
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{{jcttop|exit|state_col=State|length_ref=<ref name="SCDOT">{{cite web |title=Highway Logmile Report |url=https://ris.scdot.org/ |publisher=[[South Carolina Department of Transportation]] |access-date=May 4, 2021 |date=May 4, 2021 |archive-date=May 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513070226/https://ris.scdot.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="google-nc">{{google maps |url=https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=I-77+N&daddr=35.33978,-80.84222+to:35.450738,-80.8669896+to:35.60639,-80.83859+to:35.736758,-80.8980744+to:35.7843879,-80.8854998+to:35.827681,-80.874724+to:35.93103,-80.78013+to:36.14551,-80.78297+to:US-21+N%2FUS-221+N&hl=en&geocode=Ff6hFwIdDBct-w%3BFQQ-GwIdFHIu-ynXhM_jD6dWiDHqjwYW4gPVWg%3BFXLvHAIdUxEu-ynDMEdtEKlWiDEqvqAdEJGcgA%3BFXZPHwIdQoAu-ymHyzxpCVVRiDFp7RYGin8CXg%3BFbZMIQId5pct-ymPSpwvU1dRiDGyPDp24QndKQ%3BFcMGIgIdBckt-ynxR4kCnVlRiDFb3Evqye4Vsw%3BFeGvIgIdHPMt-ymX5mAWNVlRiDEsQC3zyFANjQ%3BFZZDJAIdnmQv-ynxgYOuwN9TiDFIMvYY--0Oeg%3BFWaJJwIdhlkv-ykXsYEqQtZTiDHif8x5kl90UQ%3BFbgDLgId3rEp-w&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=5&sz=15&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8&sll=35.785931,-80.868173&sspn=0.026005,0.055747&ie=UTF8&ll=35.773258,-79.898071&spn=3.328915,7.13562&z=8 |title=Overview map of US 21 in NC |link=no |access-date=February 1, 2011 }}</ref><ref name="VDOT Traffic Data">{{cite web|url=http://www.virginiadot.org/info/2019_traffic_data_by_jurisdiction.asp|title=2019 Traffic Data|publisher=[[Virginia Department of Transportation]]|year=2019|access-date=May 5, 2021|archive-date=May 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505164029/http://www.virginiadot.org/info/2019_traffic_data_by_jurisdiction.asp|url-status=live}} |
{{jcttop|exit|state_col=State|length_ref=<ref name="SCDOT">{{cite web |title = Highway Logmile Report |url = https://ris.scdot.org/ |publisher = [[South Carolina Department of Transportation]] |access-date = May 4, 2021 |date = May 4, 2021 |archive-date = May 13, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210513070226/https://ris.scdot.org/ |url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="google-nc">{{google maps |url=https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=I-77+N&daddr=35.33978,-80.84222+to:35.450738,-80.8669896+to:35.60639,-80.83859+to:35.736758,-80.8980744+to:35.7843879,-80.8854998+to:35.827681,-80.874724+to:35.93103,-80.78013+to:36.14551,-80.78297+to:US-21+N%2FUS-221+N&hl=en&geocode=Ff6hFwIdDBct-w%3BFQQ-GwIdFHIu-ynXhM_jD6dWiDHqjwYW4gPVWg%3BFXLvHAIdUxEu-ynDMEdtEKlWiDEqvqAdEJGcgA%3BFXZPHwIdQoAu-ymHyzxpCVVRiDFp7RYGin8CXg%3BFbZMIQId5pct-ymPSpwvU1dRiDGyPDp24QndKQ%3BFcMGIgIdBckt-ynxR4kCnVlRiDFb3Evqye4Vsw%3BFeGvIgIdHPMt-ymX5mAWNVlRiDEsQC3zyFANjQ%3BFZZDJAIdnmQv-ynxgYOuwN9TiDFIMvYY--0Oeg%3BFWaJJwIdhlkv-ykXsYEqQtZTiDHif8x5kl90UQ%3BFbgDLgId3rEp-w&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=5&sz=15&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8&sll=35.785931,-80.868173&sspn=0.026005,0.055747&ie=UTF8&ll=35.773258,-79.898071&spn=3.328915,7.13562&z=8 |title=Overview map of US 21 in NC |link=no |access-date=February 1, 2011 }}</ref><ref name="VDOT Traffic Data">{{cite web |url = http://www.virginiadot.org/info/2019_traffic_data_by_jurisdiction.asp |title = 2019 Traffic Data |publisher = [[Virginia Department of Transportation]] |year = 2019 |access-date = May 5, 2021 |archive-date = May 5, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210505164029/http://www.virginiadot.org/info/2019_traffic_data_by_jurisdiction.asp |url-status = live }} |
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*{{cite web|url=http://www.virginiadot.org/info/resources/Traffic_2019/AADT_038_Grayson_2019.pdf|title=Grayson County|access-date=2021 |
*{{cite web |url = http://www.virginiadot.org/info/resources/Traffic_2019/AADT_038_Grayson_2019.pdf |title = Grayson County |access-date = May 5, 2021 |archive-date = May 8, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210508193155/http://www.virginiadot.org/info/resources/Traffic_2019/AADT_038_Grayson_2019.pdf |url-status = live }} |
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*{{cite web|url=http://www.virginiadot.org/info/resources/Traffic_2019/AADT_098_Wythe_2019.pdf|title=Wythe County|access-date=2021 |
*{{cite web |url = http://www.virginiadot.org/info/resources/Traffic_2019/AADT_098_Wythe_2019.pdf |title = Wythe County |access-date = May 5, 2021 |archive-date = May 5, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210505164022/http://www.virginiadot.org/info/resources/Traffic_2019/AADT_098_Wythe_2019.pdf |url-status = live }}</ref>}} |
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{{Jctint|exit |
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|state=SC |
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Line 773: | Line 790: | ||
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{{NCint |
{{NCint |
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Line 961: | Line 977: | ||
==Special routes and auxiliary routes== |
==Special routes and auxiliary routes== |
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{{Main|Special routes of U.S. Route 21}} |
{{Main|Special routes of U.S. Route 21}} |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
* [[U.S. Route 21 Business (Beaufort, South Carolina)]] |
* [[U.S. Route 21 Business (Beaufort, South Carolina)]] |
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* [[U.S. Route 21 Business (Orangeburg, South Carolina)]] |
* [[U.S. Route 21 Business (Orangeburg, South Carolina)]] |
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* [[U.S. Route 21 Connector (Orangeburg, South Carolina)]] |
* [[U.S. Route 21 Connector (Orangeburg, South Carolina)]] |
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* [[U.S. Route 21 Connector (West Columbia, South Carolina)]] |
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* [[U.S. Route 21 Connector (Columbia, South Carolina)]] |
* [[U.S. Route 21 Connector (Columbia, South Carolina)]] |
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⚫ | |||
* [[U.S. Route 21 Business (Fort Mill, South Carolina)]] |
* [[U.S. Route 21 Business (Fort Mill, South Carolina)]] |
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* [[U.S. Route 21 Business (Elkin, North Carolina)]] |
* [[U.S. Route 21 Business (Elkin, North Carolina)]] |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
*[[U.S. Route 121]] |
* [[U.S. Route 121]] |
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*[[U.S. Route 221]] |
* [[U.S. Route 221]] |
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*[[U.S. Route 321]] |
* [[U.S. Route 321]] |
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*[[U.S. Route 421]] |
* [[U.S. Route 421]] |
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*[[U.S. Route 521]] |
* [[U.S. Route 521]] |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Line 1,001: | Line 1,017: | ||
==References== |
==References== |
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{{ |
{{Reflist|30em}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
Latest revision as of 22:58, 6 June 2024
Route information | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maintained by SCDOT, NCDOT, and VDOT | |||||||||||||
Length | 393 mi[1] (632 km) | ||||||||||||
Existed | November 11, 1926[2]–present | ||||||||||||
Tourist routes |
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Major junctions | |||||||||||||
South end | Hunting Island State Park, SC | ||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
North end | I-81 / US 52 in Wytheville, VA | ||||||||||||
Location | |||||||||||||
Country | United States | ||||||||||||
States | South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia | ||||||||||||
Counties | SC: Beaufort, Hampton, Colleton, Bamberg, Orangeburg, Calhoun, Lexington, Richland, Fairfield, Chester, York NC: Mecklenburg, Iredell, Yadkin, Surry, Wilkes, Alleghany VA: Grayson, Wythe | ||||||||||||
Highway system | |||||||||||||
|
U.S. Route 21 or U.S. Highway 21 (US 21) is a north–south United States Numbered Highway, spanning 393 miles (632 km) from Hunting Island State Park, South Carolina, to Wytheville, Virginia. The route traverses three states, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. It connects southeastern cities, including Columbia, South Carolina, and Charlotte, North Carolina.
US 21 starts at Hunting Island State Park, bypasses Beaufort, South Carolina, and then heads north across the low country, paralleling Interstate 77 (I-77) through urban and rural areas before entering North Carolina. In North Carolina, US 21 frequently merges with and splits from I-77. The route enters Virginia, passing through hilly terrain before ending at the intersection of Interstate 81 (I-81) / U.S. Route 52 (US 52) in Wytheville.
Despite the "1" indicating that it is a major north–south highway, US 21 only travels through three states and is no longer a cross-country route, as many sections have been replaced by I-77 in Ohio and West Virginia. Historically, US 21 was longer before the Interstate Highway System was established. US 21 originally ran from Cleveland, Ohio, to Yemassee, South Carolina, it was later extended to Beaufort and Hunting Island State Park. Over time, its length was reduced, making it the second-shortest major north–south route after U.S. Route 91 (US 91).
US 21 serves as an alternative to the more heavily trafficked interstates in the area, particularly I-77, I-26, and Interstate 95 (I-95).
Route description
[edit]mi | km | |
---|---|---|
SC | 233 | 375 |
NC | 125 | 201 |
VA | 35 | 56 |
Total | 393 | 632 |
South Carolina
[edit]US 21 travels 233.2 miles (375.3 km) through the state. Beginning at Hunting Island State Park, US 21 travels west toward Beaufort, where it widens to four lanes. The route bypasses Beaufort to the south, going through Port Royal, Shell Point, and Burton. In the Beaufort area, US 21 passes by the entrances to Parris Island and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, the major Marine Corps installations in the area. North of Beaufort, US 21 continues as a four-lane divided highway and intersects with US 17. The route travels in a wrong-way concurrency with US 17 south for seven miles (11 km) before turning north toward Yemassee, where it becomes a rural two-lane road and intersects with US 17 Alternate. North of Yemassee, US 21 splits off and crosses I-95 at exit 42.
The two-lane route continues through rural portions of the state. US 21 goes through Smoaks and Branchville and bypasses Orangeburg. North of Orangeburg, US 21 runs roughly parallel to I-26 until Gaston where it conjoins US 321 and becomes an urban highway. US 21 passes through Cayce, West Columbia, and Columbia.
North of Columbia, US 21 splits from US 321, reverting to a rural two-lane road parallel to I-77. In York County, US 21 enters urban areas again, connecting Rock Hill and Fort Mill. Near the North Carolina state line, US 21 merges with I-77 near Carowinds, then enters North Carolina.
North Carolina
[edit]US 21 begins as a concurrency with I-77 in Charlotte, which it repeats three times within the state. Its first break with I-77 is along Statesville Avenue, then proceeding through Huntersville and Cornelius, however, because of its close proximity to I-77 and North Carolina Highway 115 (NC 115), it has no interchange with I-485 by itself. The second break with I-77 occurs at Mooresville, where US 21 travels through the city and then northwest into Statesville. After Statesville, US 21 travels northeast to Harmony and Brooks Crossroads, before merging back with I-77 near Jonesville. However, Jonesville and Elkin connect with US 21 Bus. through centers of both towns, as an alternate route paralleling I-77. North of Elkin, US 21 splits with I-77 for the last time and goes north to Sparta, passing the Blue Ridge Parkway after a major, curvy section. North of Sparta, at Twin Oaks, US 221 overlaps with US 21 before entering Virginia. US 21 travels 124.5 miles (200.4 km) through the western Piedmont of North Carolina, either combined with I-77 or as a two-lane rural road; from the South Carolina state line to Elkin, travelers can easily skip a majority of US 21 via I-77.
Virginia
[edit]After a few miles crossing the state line, US 21 reaches the town of Independence, where it splits with US 221 and continues north. The route goes through the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area before entering the city of Wytheville. After a short concurrency with US 11 in downtown Wytheville, it goes north and ends at the intersection of I-81/US 52. US 21 travels 35 miles (56 km) through western Virginia, mostly as a two-lane rural mountain road.
History
[edit]US 21 in the pre-Interstate era was a north–south highway connecting the area around Lake Erie and the coastal South. One of the few true north–south routes to cross the middle Appalachian Mountains, it became an important corridor for motor traffic between northeastern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, (with US 19) and western New York with central North Carolina, central and southeastern South Carolina, and (by connecting with other highways) coastal Georgia and most of Florida. Many referred to the stretch of US 21 from the Great Lakes Region to Florida as "The Lakes-to-Florida Highway".
US 21 originally (in 1926) connected Cleveland, Ohio, and Yemassee, South Carolina. In 1935 it was extended to Beaufort, South Carolina, and again in 1953 to its current southern terminus at the Atlantic Coast at Hunting Island State Park, between the city of Beaufort and Fripp Island.[3][unreliable source]
In the Interstate Highway era, much of US 21 became an obvious corridor for a long-distance expressway. The West Virginia Turnpike between Charleston, West Virginia, and Princeton, West Virginia, was the first segment of a planned series of toll highways along or near US 21 from Cleveland to Charlotte, North Carolina. All the other toll highways were shelved in favor of freeways built with Interstate funding; these freeways and the West Virginia Turnpike became I-77, which completely supplanted old US 21 as a long-distance through route. I-77 was later extended to Columbia, South Carolina, also within a few miles of US 21.
Between Cleveland and Charleston, all but a relatively short segment of US 21 was completely deleted in favor of I-77, the relics being as follows:
- State Route 21 (SR 21) between Cuyahoga Heights and Strasburg;[citation needed]
- SR 821 between I-77 near Byesville and SR 60 near Marietta, Ohio;[citation needed]
- County Road 35 (CR 35, Oakwood Road, Byesville Road, Old Twenty-One Road) between Byesville and the Guernsey–Tuscarawas county line;[citation needed]
- CR 3 (Salt Fork Road) between the Guernsey–Tuscarawas county line to SR 258[citation needed]
- CR 21 between Newcomerstown and New Philadelphia[citation needed]
- County Route 21 (CR 21) between Mineral Wells and Charleston.[citation needed]
Between Charleston and its current northern terminus at Wytheville, Virginia, almost all of US 21 ran concurrently with either US 60, US 19, or US 52, which remained as US 21 was deleted. The short segment of US 21 in southern West Virginia not coinciding with another U.S. Highway became an extension of West Virginia Route 16.
In North Carolina, US 21 originally entered the state along today's NC 51 into Pineville, then followed Old Pineville Road into Charlotte. In the mid-1930s, US 21 moved over to South Boulevard from Old Pineville Road. In 1969, US 21 was rerouted following today's I-77 alignment, the old route was replaced by an extension of US 521. From 1975–1987, US 21 moved north in segments onto I-77 to its current alignment ending at exit 16A (Sunset Road). Further north, US 21 originally followed Old Statesville Road, replaced in 1956 by NC 115. In 1966, US 21 was bypassed around Jonesville and Elkin, replaced with US 21 Bus.[4][unreliable source]
US 21 in Beaufort, South Carolina, was rerouted around the city over former SC 280 as well as a portion of SC 802. The new routing went into effect on February 26, 2012.[5]
Browse numbered routes | ||||
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← US 20A | OH | → SR 21 |
Major intersections
[edit]State | County | Location | mi[6][7][8] | km | Exit | Destinations | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
South Carolina | Beaufort | Hunting Island State Park | 0.00 | 0.00 | Sea Island Parkway / Campground Road | Southern terminus; road continues as Sea Island Parkway | ||
Lady's Island | 14.50 | 23.34 | US 21 Bus. north (Sea Island Parkway west) / SC 802 east (Sams Point Road) | Southern terminus of US 21 Bus.; western terminus of SC 802 | ||||
Port Royal | 17.35 | 27.92 | SC 281 north (Ribaut Road north) | Southern terminus of SC 281 | ||||
19.87 | 31.98 | Parris Island M.C.R.D. | Interchange | |||||
21.10 | 33.96 | SC 128 west (Savannah Highway) – Bluffton, Hardeeville, Hilton Head Island | Eastern terminus of SC 128 | |||||
Beaufort | 24.24 | 39.01 | SC 170 (Robert Smalls Parkway) – Beaufort | |||||
Burton | 25.44 | 40.94 | US 21 Bus. south – Beaufort | Northern terminus of US 21 Bus. | ||||
26.86 | 43.23 | SC 116 west – Laurel Bay | Eastern terminus of SC 116 | |||||
Gardens Corner | 37.40 | 60.19 | US 17 north – Charleston | Interchange; eastern end of US 17 concurrency | ||||
Pocotaligo | 44.00 | 70.81 | US 17 Alt. begins / US 17 south to I-95 – Ridgeland, Savannah | Western end of US 17 concurrency; southern end of US 17 Alt. concurrency; southern terminus of US 17 Alt. | ||||
Hampton | Yemassee | 47.77 | 76.88 | SC 68 west (Connely Street) / Flowers Street south (US 17 Conn. south) to I-95 – Hampton, Allendale | Eastern terminus of SC 68; northern terminus of US 17 Conn. | |||
Colleton | | 49.39 | 79.49 | US 17 Alt. north (Hendersonville Highway) – Walterboro | Northern end of US 17 Alt. concurrency | |||
| 52.04 | 83.75 | I-95 – Florence, Savannah | I-95 exit 42 | ||||
| 62.00 | 99.78 | SC 63 (Sniders Highway) – Varnville, Walterboro | |||||
Bells Crossroads | 68.41 | 110.10 | SC 64 (Bells Highway) – Ehrhardt, Walterboro | |||||
Smoaks | 77.10 | 124.08 | SC 217 (Lodge Highway) – Lodge | |||||
Bamberg | Whetstone Crossroads | 83.20 | 133.90 | SC 61 (Edisto River Road) – Bamberg | ||||
Orangeburg | Branchville | 88.65 | 142.67 | US 78 west (Edward Street) – Bamberg | Southern end of US 78 concurrency | |||
88.85 | 142.99 | US 78 east (Dorange Road) – Charleston | Northern end of US 78 concurrency | |||||
89.26 | 143.65 | SC 210 north – Bowman | Southern terminus of SC 210 | |||||
Orangeburg | 104.16 | 167.63 | US 21 Bus. north (Rowesville Road) / Stonewall Jackson Boulevard (US 601 Truck north / SC 4 west) | Southern end of US 601 Truck concurrency; southern terminus of US 21 Bus.; eastern terminus of SC 4 | ||||
104.23 | 167.74 | US 178 east (Charleston Highway east) / US 178 Bus. west (Charleston Highway west) – Charleston | Southern end of US 178 concurrency; eastern terminus of US 178 Bus. | |||||
105.55 | 169.87 | US 301 (Five Chop Road) – Santee, Bamberg | ||||||
105.65 | 170.03 | SC 33 (Russel Street) – Cameron | ||||||
107.50 | 173.00 | US 601 (Magnolia Street) / US 601 Truck ends – St. Matthews, Bamberg | Northern end of US 601 Truck concurrency; northern terminus of US 601 Truck | |||||
108.59 | 174.76 | US 178 west (Chestnut Street) / Columbia Road south (US 21 Conn. south) – North | Northern end of US 178 concurrency; northern terminus of US 21 Conn.; US 21 turns right off of Chestnut Street and onto Columbia Road. | |||||
Calhoun | | 120.48 | 193.89 | SC 172 – North | ||||
| 120.58 | 194.05 | SC 6 east to I-26 | Southern end of SC 6 concurrency | ||||
| 122.15 | 196.58 | SC 6 north (Center Hill Road) – Swansea | Northern end of SC 6 concurrency | ||||
Lexington | | 127.48 | 205.16 | I-26 – Columbia, Charleston | I-26 exit 129 | |||
Calhoun | Sandy Run | 130.23 | 209.58 | US 176 east (Old State Road) – St. Matthews | Southern end of US 176 concurrency | |||
Lexington | | 137.13 | 220.69 | I-26 – Columbia, Charleston | I-26 exit 119 | |||
| 138.98 | 223.67 | US 321 south – Gaston, Swansea | Southern end of US 321 concurrency | ||||
Cayce | 141.48 | 227.69 | I-77 north – Charlotte | I-77 exit 1 | ||||
141.87 | 228.32 | I-26 – Charleston, Spartanburg | I-26 exit 115 | |||||
142.97 | 230.09 | SC 2 north (Frink Road) | Southern terminus of SC 2 | |||||
West Columbia | 144.45 | 232.47 | SC 302 south (Airport Boulevard) – Aiken, Columbia Airport | Northern terminus of SC 302 | ||||
Cayce | 146.23 | 235.33 | SC 2 (State Street) | |||||
Richland | Columbia | 147.22 | 236.93 | SC 48 Truck east (Blossom Street / US 21 Conn. east / US 76 Conn. east) to US 76 east / US 378 east | Western terminus of US 21 Conn., US 76 Conn., and SC 48 Truck; US 21, US 176, and US 321 turn left off of Blossom Street and onto Huger Street. | |||
147.86 | 237.96 | US 1 / US 378 (Gervais Street) – South Carolina State Museum, Confederate Relic Room, EdVenture, Columbia SC Visitors Center, Convention Center, Colonial Life Arena | ||||||
148.16 | 238.44 | SC 12 east (Hampton Street) – Fort Jackson | One-way couplet | |||||
148.26 | 238.60 | SC 12 west (Taylor Street) – Lexington | ||||||
148.76 | 239.41 | I-126 west / US 76 west to I-20 – Greenville, Spartanburg | Southern end of I-126/US 76 concurrency; Rep. T. Moffatt Burriss Sr. Interchange | |||||
149.08 | 239.92 | I-126 ends | Northern end of I-126 concurrency | |||||
149.38 | 240.40 | SC 48 east (Assembly Street) – Columbia Museum of Art | Western terminus of SC 48 | |||||
149.46 | 240.53 | US 76 east (Elmwood Avenue) | Northern end of US 76 concurrency | |||||
149.97 | 241.35 | US 176 west (River Drive) | Northern end of US 176 concurrency | |||||
150.66 | 242.46 | SC 16 (Sunset Drive) | ||||||
151.23 | 243.38 | SC 215 north (Monticello Road) | Southern terminus of SC 215 | |||||
152.22 | 244.97 | US 321 north (Fairfield Street) – Winnsboro | Northern end of US 321 concurrency | |||||
154.76 | 249.06 | I-20 – Florence, Augusta | I-20 exit 71 | |||||
Blythewood | 162.17 | 260.99 | I-77 – Columbia, Charlotte | I-77 exit 24 | ||||
163.46 | 263.06 | SC 555 (Farrow Road) – Columbia | ||||||
Fairfield | | 171.40 | 275.84 | Coleman Highway west (US 21 Conn. north) – Winnsboro | Southern terminus of US 21 Conn.; eastern terminus of Coleman Highway | |||
Ridgeway | 172.09 | 276.95 | SC 34 east (Palmer Street) – Lugoff, Camden | Southern end of SC 34 concurrency | ||||
172.31 | 277.31 | SC 34 west (Church Street) – Winnsboro Mills | Northern end of SC 34 concurrency | |||||
| 189.11 | 304.34 | SC 200 – Winnsboro | Southern end of SC 200 concurrency | ||||
Chester | Great Falls | 192.07 | 309.11 | SC 99 north (Chester Avenue) – Richburg | Southern terminus of SC 99 | |||
193.29 | 311.07 | SC 97 north – Chester | Southern end of SC 97 concurrency | |||||
193.43 | 311.30 | SC 97 south / SC 200 north – Lancaster | Northern end of SC 97 and SC 200 concurrencies | |||||
Fort Lawn | 200.93 | 323.37 | SC 9 (Chester Avenue) – Richburg, Lancaster | |||||
| 206.23 | 331.90 | SC 223 (Wylies Mill Road) – Richburg | |||||
York | | 213.55 | 343.68 | SC 5 south – Lancaster | Interchange; southern end of SC 5 concurrency; to Andrew Jackson State Park | |||
Lesslie | 215.67 | 347.09 | Lesslie | Interchange via connector road | ||||
Rock Hill | 217.26 | 349.65 | Lesslie, Red River | Interchange | ||||
218.02 | 350.87 | I-77 – Columbia, Charlotte | I-77 exit 77 | |||||
218.72 | 352.00 | SC 5 / SC 121 (Main Street) | Access to Piedmont Medical Center; northern end of SC 5 concurrency; southern end of SC 121 concurrency | |||||
220.20 | 354.38 | SC 122 (Dave Lyle Boulevard) to I-77 | Interchange | |||||
222.36 | 357.85 | SC 322 west (Cherry Road west) / SC 121 ends | Northern end of SC 121 concurrency; northern terminus of SC 121; eastern terminus of SC 322 | |||||
222.80 | 358.56 | I-77 – Columbia, Charlotte | I-77 exit 82 | |||||
223.00 | 358.88 | SC 161 north (Celanese Road) to I-77 north – Charlotte, York | Southern terminus of SC 161 | |||||
Fort Mill | 224.37 | 361.09 | US 21 Bus. north (Spratt Street) – Fort Mill | Southern terminus of US 21 Bus. | ||||
226.42 | 364.39 | SC 160 – Tega Cay | ||||||
229.20 | 368.86 | SC 460 (Springfield Parkway) – Tega Cay, Fort Mill | ||||||
230.35 | 370.71 | US 21 Bus. south (Old Nation Road) | Northern terminus of US 21 Bus. | |||||
231.14 | 371.98 | SC 51 north (Pineville–Rock Hill Road) – Pineville | Southern terminus of SC 51 (northern segment) | |||||
231.89 | 373.19 | I-77 south – Columbia | Southern end of I-77 concurrency; I-77 exit 90 | |||||
232.52 0.00 | 374.20 0.00 | South Carolina–North Carolina line | ||||||
North Carolina | Mecklenburg | Charlotte | 0.9 | 1.4 | 1A | Westinghouse Boulevard | Exit numbers follow I-77 | |
1.8 | 2.9 | 1B | I-485 – Huntersville, Pineville | Formerly exit 2 (southbound) before August 2010; I-485 exit 67 | ||||
2.8 | 4.5 | 3 | Arrowood Road | Formerly exit 2 (northbound) before August 2010 | ||||
3.7 | 6.0 | 4 | Nations Ford Road | |||||
4.8 | 7.7 | 5 | Tyvola Road | Single-point urban interchange | ||||
6.0 | 9.7 | 6A | Woodlawn Road south (Charlotte Route 4 east) – Queens University | To Pfeiffer University | ||||
6.2 | 10.0 | 6B | To NC 49 (S. Tryon Street) / Billy Graham Parkway (Charlotte Route 4 west) | To Billy Graham Library and Charlotte Douglas International Airport; southbound signed as NC 49 south (S. Tryon St. south) only | ||||
7.3 | 11.7 | 7 | To NC 49 / Clanton Road | |||||
8.3 | 13.4 | 8 | To NC 160 / Remount Road | Northbound exit and southbound entrance | ||||
9.0 | 14.5 | 9A | NC 160 (West Boulevard) | Southbound exit and northbound entrance; access from collector-distributor lanes | ||||
9.4 | 15.1 | 9B | I-277 north / US 74 east (John Belk Freeway) | Access from collector-distributor lanes; I-277 exits 1B-C | ||||
9.5 | 15.3 | 9C | US 74 west (Wilkinson Boulevard) to US 29 / NC 27 | US 29 and NC 27 signed northbound only; access from collector-distributor lanes; US 74 exits 1B-C | ||||
9.9 | 15.9 | 10A | US 29 / NC 27 (Morehead Street) | Southbound exit and northbound entrance | ||||
10.4 | 16.7 | 10 | Trade Street / Fifth Street | Signed southbound as exits 10B (Trade Street east) and 10C (Fifth Street/Trade Street west) | ||||
11.0 | 17.7 | 11A | I-277 south / NC 16 south (Brookshire Freeway east) – Downtown Charlotte | I-277 exits 5A-B | ||||
11.2 | 18.0 | 11B | NC 16 north (Brookshire Freeway west) | Left exit northbound; NC 16 exits 5A-B | ||||
— | I-77 north (Express lanes) | Southern terminus of HOV3+/toll lanes | ||||||
— | I-277 south | Express lanes only, southbound exit and northbound entrance | ||||||
12.4 | 20.0 | 12 | Lasalle Street / Atando Avenue | |||||
13.3 | 21.4 | 13 | I-85 – Greensboro, Spartanburg | Signed as exits 13A (north) and 13B (south); hybrid interchange; I-85 exit 38 | ||||
— | I-85 north | Express lanes only; northbound exit and southbound entrance | ||||||
15.8 | 25.4 | I-77 north – Statesville | Northern end of I-77 concurrency; I-77 exit 16 | |||||
16.3 | 26.2 | NC 115 north (Old Statesville Road) | Southern terminus of NC 115 | |||||
18.9 | 30.4 | NC 24 (W.T. Harris Boulevard) | To Northlake Mall | |||||
Huntersville | Alexandriana Road to I-485 | |||||||
25.7 | 41.4 | NC 73 (Sam Furr Road) – Concord | ||||||
Cornelius | 28.8 | 46.3 | I-77 south – Charlotte | Southern end of I-77 concurrency; I-77 exit 28 | ||||
Davidson | 30.2 | 48.6 | 30 | Griffith Street – Davidson | Exit numbers follow I-77 | |||
Lake Norman | Lake Norman Causeway | |||||||
Iredell | Mooresville | 32.1 | 51.7 | 31 | Langtree Road | |||
33.7 | 54.2 | I-77 north – Statesville | Northern end of I-77 concurrency; I-77 exit 33 | |||||
36.4 | 58.6 | NC 150 (Plaza Drive) | Interchange | |||||
39.1 | 62.9 | NC 115 south (Statesville Highway) | Southern end of NC 115 concurrency | |||||
| 43.3 | 69.7 | I-77 – Charlotte, Statesville | I-77 exit 42 | ||||
Statesville | 51.2 | 82.4 | US 70 (Garner Bagnal Boulevard) – Conover, Salisbury | |||||
51.9 | 83.5 | US 64 west (Front Street) / NC 115 north (Center Street) | Northern end of NC 115 concurrency; southern end of US 64 concurrency | |||||
52.3 | 84.2 | NC 90 west (Water Street) | Eastern terminus of NC 90 | |||||
53.2 | 85.6 | US 64 east (Davie Avenue) – Mocksville | Northern end of US 64 concurrency | |||||
54.1 | 87.1 | I-40 – Hickory, Winston-Salem | I-40 exit 151 | |||||
| 57.2 | 92.1 | I-77 – Statesville, Elkin | I-77 exit 54 | ||||
Harmony | 66.9 | 107.7 | NC 901 (Memorial Highway) – Union Grove | |||||
Yadkin | Brooks Crossroads | 79.2 | 127.5 | US 421 – Wilkesboro, Yadkinville, Winston-Salem | ||||
| 85.4 | 137.4 | I-77 south / US 21 Bus. north – Statesville, Jonesville | Southern end of I-77 concurrency; I-77 exit 79; southern terminus of US 21 Bus. | ||||
Jonesville | 88.5 | 142.4 | 82 | NC 67 – Jonesville, Boonville, Elkin | Exit number follows I-77 | |||
Yadkin River | Sgt. Gregory Keith Martin Memorial Bridges | |||||||
Surry | Elkin | 90.3 | 145.3 | I-77 north – Wytheville | Northern end of I-77 concurrency; southbound exit and northbound entrance; I-77 exit 83 | |||
91.3 | 146.9 | NC 268 Byp. to I-77 north – Elkin | Interchange; to Elkin Municipal Airport; I-77 exit 85 | |||||
92.8 | 149.3 | US 21 Bus. south – Elkin | Northern terminus of US 21 Bus. | |||||
Wilkes |
No major junctions | |||||||
Alleghany | | 111.2 | 179.0 | Blue Ridge Parkway | Interchange via connector roads | |||
Sparta | 118.2 | 190.2 | NC 18 (Whitehead Street) – Laurel Springs | |||||
Twin Oaks | 121.1 | 194.9 | US 221 south – Jefferson | Southern end of US 221 concurrency | ||||
124.3 0.00 | 200.0 0.00 | North Carolina–Virginia line | ||||||
Virginia | Grayson | Independence | 3.86 | 6.21 | US 221 north / US 58 (Main Street) – Mouth of Wilson, Galax | Northern end of US 221 concurrency | ||
Elk Creek | 14.77 | 23.77 | SR 658 (Comers Rock Road) – Comers Rock | |||||
| 15.67 | 25.22 | SR 805 (Spring Valley Road) to SR 94 – Fries | |||||
Wythe | Speedwell | 21.26 | 34.21 | SR 619 (Saint Peters Road) / SR 749 (Cedar Springs Road) – Cedar Springs, Rural Retreat | ||||
| 26.03 | 41.89 | SR 690 (Crockett Road, Cripple Creek Road) – Crockett, Cripple Creek | |||||
| 31.13 | 50.10 | SR 696 (Barrett Mill Road) – Big Survey Wildlife Management Area | |||||
Wytheville | 33.63 | 54.12 | US 11 south (Lee Highway) | Southern end of US 11 concurrency | ||||
33.94 | 54.62 | US 11 north (Main Street) | Northern end of US 11 concurrency | |||||
34.99 | 56.31 | I-81 / US 52 to I-77 – Bristol, Roanoke | Northern terminus; I-81 exit 70; road continues west as US 52 (4th Street north) | |||||
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi
|
Special routes and auxiliary routes
[edit]There are currently four business loops, four connectors, and one truck route along its route.
- U.S. Route 21 Business (Beaufort, South Carolina)
- U.S. Route 21 Business (Orangeburg, South Carolina)
- U.S. Route 21 Connector (Orangeburg, South Carolina)
- U.S. Route 21 Connector (West Columbia, South Carolina)
- U.S. Route 21 Connector (Columbia, South Carolina)
- U.S. Route 21 Connector (Ridgeway, South Carolina)
- U.S. Route 21 Business (Fort Mill, South Carolina)
- U.S. Route 21 Business (Elkin, North Carolina)
- U.S. Route 21 Truck (Sparta, North Carolina)
Auxiliary routes of US 21:
See also
[edit]- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Catawba River
- Carowinds
- Congaree River
- Hunting Island State Park
- Lake Norman
- Lake Norman State Park
- Lake Wateree
- Lake Wateree State Recreation Area
- Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort
- Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
- New River
- North Carolina Bicycle Route 4
- Stone Mountain State Park
- Uptown Charlotte
- Yadkin River
References
[edit]- ^ Total length is calculated from route mileages provided by each state DOT.
- ^ Bureau of Public Roads & American Association of State Highway Officials (November 11, 1926). United States System of Highways Adopted for Uniform Marking by the American Association of State Highway Officials (Map). 1:7,000,000. Washington, DC: United States Geological Survey. OCLC 32889555. Retrieved May 24, 2024 – via Wikimedia Commons.
- ^ Sanderson, Dale (July 4, 2009). "End of US Highway 21". US Ends. Self-published. Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
- ^ Mapmikey; Prince, Adam (August 28, 2009). "US 21". NCRoads.com Annex: More Highways of North Carolina. Self-published. Archived from the original on June 16, 2011. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
- ^ "Federal highway rerouted through Beaufort area". Post and Courier. Associated Press. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
- ^ "Highway Logmile Report". South Carolina Department of Transportation. May 4, 2021. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ^ "Overview map of US 21 in NC" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
- ^ "2019 Traffic Data". Virginia Department of Transportation. 2019. Archived from the original on May 5, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- "Grayson County" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on May 8, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- "Wythe County" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on May 5, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
External links
[edit]- Media related to U.S. Route 21 at Wikimedia Commons
- Endpoints of U.S. Highway 21
- U.S. Route 21
- United States Numbered Highway System
- U.S. Highways in South Carolina
- U.S. Highways in North Carolina
- U.S. Highways in Virginia
- Transportation in Grayson County, Virginia
- Transportation in Wythe County, Virginia
- Transportation in Alleghany County, North Carolina
- Transportation in Iredell County, North Carolina
- Transportation in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
- Transportation in Surry County, North Carolina
- Transportation in Wilkes County, North Carolina
- Transportation in Yadkin County, North Carolina
- Transportation in Bamberg County, South Carolina
- Transportation in Beaufort County, South Carolina
- Transportation in Calhoun County, South Carolina
- Transportation in Chester County, South Carolina
- Transportation in Colleton County, South Carolina
- Transportation in Fairfield County, South Carolina
- Transportation in Hampton County, South Carolina
- Transportation in Lexington County, South Carolina
- Transportation in Orangeburg County, South Carolina
- Transportation in Richland County, South Carolina
- Transportation in York County, South Carolina
- U.S. Highways in West Virginia
- U.S. Highways in Ohio