North Carolina Highway 42
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| NC 42 |
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| Length: | 229 mi (369 km) | ||||||||
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| Formed: | 1922[1] | ||||||||
| West end: |    I-73/74/US 220 in Asheboro, NC |
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| Major junctions: |
 US 64 in Asheboro;  US 1/15 in Sanford; US 421 in Sanford;  US 401 in Fuquay-Varina; I-40 near Garner; 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 |
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| East end: |  NC 45 in Colerain, NC |
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| Counties: | Randolph, Chatham, Wake, Johnston, Wilson, Edgecombe, Bertie, Martin, Hertford | ||||||||
| Major cities: | Asheboro, Sanford, Fuquay-Varina, Clayton, Wilson, Pinetops, Conetoe, Oak City, Lewiston Woodville, Ahoskie, Powellsville | ||||||||
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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's really not a convenient road for long distance travel; US 64 is a shorter, faster, better maintained route going the same way. Because it is well connected to many other major Interstate and US roads, NC 42 is a good local connector for smaller communities along its route.
[edit] History
NC 42 was first dedicated in 1922 as a modest 19-mile connector from Wilson to Pinetops. In the 1930's & 40's it was extended west to Clayton, and by 1950 it reached Fuquay-Varina. In the late 50's, early 60's 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]
