U.S. Route 221 in North Carolina

U.S. Highway 221
US 221 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by NCDOT
Length	153.5 mi[1] (247.0 km)
Existed	1930–present
Tourist routes	Little Parkway Scenic Byway
Major junctions
South end	US 221 at the South Carolina line near Chesnee, SC
Major intersections	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 Virginia line near Independence, VA
Location
Country	United States
State	North Carolina
Counties	Rutherford, McDowell, Burke, Avery, Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany
Highway system
United States Numbered Highway System List Special Divided North Carolina Highway System Interstate US 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.