U.S. Route 19 in North Carolina
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 19 in North Carolina traverses approximately 189 miles (304.2 km) across Western North Carolina
; from the Georgia
state line, at the community of Bellview, to the Tennessee
state line, at the town of Elk Park
. The designation from US 19 to U.S. Route 19E happens in Cane River
, where US 19W
splits from the main road towards Erwin, Tennessee
.
, the highway is a 4-lane expressway
that bypasses all the towns and communities along its route. After Andrews, US 19 goes through the Nantahala Gorge, which both scenic and somewhat curvy 21 miles (33.8 km) drive till Almond.
At the start of the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
, US 19 exits off towards the towns of Bryson City
and Cherokee
. At Cherokee, travelers may go north on US 441 to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
or to the Blue Ridge Parkway
before traveling through the rest of the Qualla Boundary
.
The highway expands back into a 4-lane expressway in Maggie Valley
, which it then merges with the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
for 3 miles (4.8 km) before exiting back off towards Clyde
. From here, US 19 parallels with I-40
to Asheville
. US 19 joins other highways in Asheville crossing over the French Broad River
, then follows I-26 to Mars Hill, North Carolina
. At exit 9, US 19 splits with both I-26 and US 23; after 10 miles (16.1 km), US 19 splits into US 19E and US 19W at Cane River
. US 19 travels a total of 145 miles (233.4 km) from the Georgia state line to Cane River.
and Spruce Pine
. The highway is an easy drive, as it nears Spruce Pine, it expands to a four-lane that then bypasses the mountain city. US 19E reverts back to two-lane once out of city limits, briefly widening to four-lane again after entering Avery county. Once reaching the community of Ingalls
, the highway becomes curvy as it follows along the banks of the North Toe River
. Most travelers will take turn onto NC 194
(or Mullen Hill Road, a shortcut bypassing Ingalls) as an alternate route towards Elk Park
. Passing through several small communities, it eventually reaches the town of Elk Park, where it then proceeds going into Tennessee, towards Roan Mountain
and Elizabethton
. US 19E travels a total of 45 miles (72.4 km) from Bald Creek to the Tennessee state line.
Note – None of the Exit numbers listed are based on US 19, but to US 74 which overlaps it in some locations.
Western North Carolina
Western North Carolina is the region of North Carolina which includes the Appalachian Mountains, thus it is often known geographically as the state's Mountain Region. It is sometimes included with upstate South Carolina as the "Western Carolinas", which is also counted as a single media market...
; from the Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
state line, at the community of Bellview, to the Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
state line, at the town of Elk Park
Elk Park, North Carolina
Elk Park is a town in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. The town was so named because of the number of Elk killed there. The population was 459 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Elk Park is located at ....
. The designation from US 19 to U.S. Route 19E happens in Cane River
Cane River, North Carolina
Cane River is an unincorporated community in Yancey County, North Carolina, United States. It is located west of Burnsville, at the intersection of US 19/US 19E and US 19W, along the Cane River....
, where US 19W
U.S. Route 19W
U.S. Route 19W traverses approximately from Cane River, North Carolina to Bluff City, Tennessee.-Route description:US 19W begins in western Yancey county at the community of Cane River, at the intersection of US 19/US 19E. Several signs at the beginning of the route strongly recommend truckers...
splits from the main road towards Erwin, Tennessee
Erwin, Tennessee
Erwin is a town in and the county seat of Unicoi County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 5,610 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Johnson City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport–Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area...
.
U.S. Route 19
US 19 begins at the Georgia state line overlapped with US 129; 4 miles (6.4 km) into North Carolina, it joins with US 74 and US 76 in Ranger. From Ranger to AndrewsAndrews, North Carolina
Andrews is a town in Cherokee County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,602 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Andrews is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land.-History:...
, the highway is a 4-lane expressway
Limited-access road
A limited-access road known by various terms worldwide, including limited-access highway, dual-carriageway and expressway, is a highway or arterial road for high-speed traffic which has many or most characteristics of a controlled-access highway , including limited or no access to adjacent...
that bypasses all the towns and communities along its route. After Andrews, US 19 goes through the Nantahala Gorge, which both scenic and somewhat curvy 21 miles (33.8 km) drive till Almond.
At the start of the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
The Great Smoky Mountains Expressway is a four-lane divided highway in southwestern North Carolina, which runs between Interstate 40 near Canton in the east to the Nantahala National Forest near Needmore in the west. It traverses western Haywood, northern Jackson, and eastern Swain counties,...
, US 19 exits off towards the towns of Bryson City
Bryson City, North Carolina
Bryson City is a town in Swain County, North Carolina in the United States. The population was 1,353 as of 2009, a decrease of 4.1% since the 2000 census...
and Cherokee
Cherokee, North Carolina
Cherokee is a town in Swain County, North Carolina, USA, within the Qualla Boundary land trust. It is located in the Oconaluftee River Valley, near the intersection of U.S. Route 19 and U.S...
. At Cherokee, travelers may go north on US 441 to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a United States National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site that straddles the ridgeline of the Great Smoky Mountains, part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are a division of the larger Appalachian Mountain chain. The border between Tennessee and North...
or to the Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. It runs for 469 miles , mostly along the famous Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains...
before traveling through the rest of the Qualla Boundary
Qualla Boundary
The Qualla Boundary is the territory where the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians reside in western North Carolina.-Location:...
.
The highway expands back into a 4-lane expressway in Maggie Valley
Maggie Valley, North Carolina
Maggie Valley is a town in Haywood County, North Carolina, USA. The population was 607 at the 2000 census. It is home to the Ghost Town in the Sky amusement park.Maggie Valley is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, which it then merges with the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
Great Smoky Mountains Expressway
The Great Smoky Mountains Expressway is a four-lane divided highway in southwestern North Carolina, which runs between Interstate 40 near Canton in the east to the Nantahala National Forest near Needmore in the west. It traverses western Haywood, northern Jackson, and eastern Swain counties,...
for 3 miles (4.8 km) before exiting back off towards Clyde
Clyde, North Carolina
Clyde is a town in Haywood County, North Carolina, United States. The 200 census recorded the population at 1,324 people. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Clyde is located at ....
. From here, US 19 parallels with I-40
Interstate 40 in North Carolina
Interstate 40 runs through the state of North Carolina from the Tennessee state line in the west to its eastern terminus in Wilmington.-Pigeon River Gorge:...
to Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active...
. US 19 joins other highways in Asheville crossing over the French Broad River
French Broad River
The French Broad River flows from near the village of Rosman in Transylvania County, North Carolina, into the state of Tennessee. Its confluence with the Holston River at Knoxville is the beginning of the Tennessee River....
, then follows I-26 to Mars Hill, North Carolina
Mars Hill, North Carolina
Mars Hill is a town in Madison County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,764 at the 2000 census. It is the home of Mars Hill College, which is named after the town. The town is located approximately one mile west of Interstate 26, and due north of Asheville, western North...
. At exit 9, US 19 splits with both I-26 and US 23; after 10 miles (16.1 km), US 19 splits into US 19E and US 19W at Cane River
Cane River, North Carolina
Cane River is an unincorporated community in Yancey County, North Carolina, United States. It is located west of Burnsville, at the intersection of US 19/US 19E and US 19W, along the Cane River....
. US 19 travels a total of 145 miles (233.4 km) from the Georgia state line to Cane River.
U.S. Route 19E
US 19E (aka US 19 East) continues where US 19 left off, with a seamless transition that literately ignores US 19W existence, heading towards the towns of BurnsvilleBurnsville, North Carolina
Burnsville is a town in Yancey County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,623 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Yancey County.-Geography:Burnsville is located at ....
and Spruce Pine
Spruce Pine, North Carolina
Spruce Pine is a town in Mitchell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,175 at the 2010 census.-History:Spruce Pine was founded in 1907 when the Clinchfield Railroad made its way up the North Toe River from Erwin, Tennessee...
. The highway is an easy drive, as it nears Spruce Pine, it expands to a four-lane that then bypasses the mountain city. US 19E reverts back to two-lane once out of city limits, briefly widening to four-lane again after entering Avery county. Once reaching the community of Ingalls
Ingalls, North Carolina
Ingalls is an unincorporated community in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. The community is located at the intersection of US 19-E and NC 194. The Avery County Airport is located two miles south from Ingalls, towards Spruce Pine....
, the highway becomes curvy as it follows along the banks of the North Toe River
North Toe River
The North Toe River is a large stream in the North Carolina High Country. The headwaters begin between Bald Mountain and Sugar Mountain, what is known as Sugar Gap, in Avery County. The river proceeds to go southwest till it ends with a confluence with the Cane River, forming the Nolichucky River...
. Most travelers will take turn onto NC 194
North Carolina Highway 194
North Carolina Highway 194 is a primary state highway in the state of North Carolina. Primarily in the High Country, it runs from US 19E, in Ingalls, to the Virginia state line, near Helton.-Route description:...
(or Mullen Hill Road, a shortcut bypassing Ingalls) as an alternate route towards Elk Park
Elk Park, North Carolina
Elk Park is a town in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. The town was so named because of the number of Elk killed there. The population was 459 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Elk Park is located at ....
. Passing through several small communities, it eventually reaches the town of Elk Park, where it then proceeds going into Tennessee, towards Roan Mountain
Roan Mountain, Tennessee
Roan Mountain is a census-designated place in Carter County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 1,360 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Johnson City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport–Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area...
and Elizabethton
Elizabethton, Tennessee
Elizabethton is the county seat of Carter County, Tennessee, United States. Elizabethton is also the historical site both of the first independent American government located west of both the Eastern Continental Divide and the original thirteen British American colonies.Elizabethton is also the...
. US 19E travels a total of 45 miles (72.4 km) from Bald Creek to the Tennessee state line.
Junction list
| County | Location | Mile | Exit Exit number An exit number is a number assigned to a road junction, usually an exit from a freeway. It is usually marked on the same sign as the destinations of the exit, as well as a sign in the gore.... |
Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee Cherokee County, North Carolina - Transportation :Cherokee County is well known in North Carolina as the westernmost of the state's 100 counties. Several US and state highways serve the county, linking it with other regions of North Carolina, along with the neighboring states of Georgia and Tennessee.US 64 - the longest highway... |
Ranger | 4 | – Cleveland Cleveland, Tennessee Cleveland is a city in Bradley County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 41,285 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Bradley County... |
West end of US 64/74 overlap | |
| Murphy Murphy, North Carolina -Household Income:The median income for a household in the town was $24,952, and the median income for a family was $35,234. Males had a median income of $30,395 versus $16,908 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,926... |
9 | ||||
| 9.5 | East end of US 64 overlap | ||||
| 12 | |||||
| Marble Marble, North Carolina Marble is an unincorporated community in Cherokee County, North Carolina, United States.Marble's elevation is 1,680 feet . It has an area of... |
18 | ||||
| Andrews Andrews, North Carolina Andrews is a town in Cherokee County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,602 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Andrews is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land.-History:... |
23.5 |  Airport Road – Western Carolina Regional Airport |
|||
| 26.5 | |||||
| Graham Graham County, North Carolina -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 7,993 people, 3,354 households, and 2,411 families residing in the county. The population density was 27 people per square mile . There were 5,084 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile... |
Topton | 33.5 | North end of US 129 overlap | ||
| Swain Swain County, North Carolina Swain County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 12,968. Its county seat is Bryson City.Swain County is home of the Nantahala River . The Nantahala is one of the most popular whitewater rafting rivers in the nation... |
Almond | 48 | North end of NC 28 overlap; also to Fontana Dam Fontana Dam Fontana Dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Little Tennessee River in Swain and Graham counties, North Carolina, USA. The dam is operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority, which built the dam in the early 1940s to accommodate the skyrocketing electricity demands in the Tennessee Valley at the... |
||
| Lauada | 51 | South end of NC 28 overlap | |||
| 53 | 64 | East end of US 74 overlap | |||
| Cherokee Cherokee, North Carolina Cherokee is a town in Swain County, North Carolina, USA, within the Qualla Boundary land trust. It is located in the Oconaluftee River Valley, near the intersection of U.S. Route 19 and U.S... |
66 | , Atlanta | South end of US 441 overlap | ||
| 66.5 | – Blue Ridge Parkway Blue Ridge Parkway The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. It runs for 469 miles , mostly along the famous Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains... , Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a United States National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site that straddles the ridgeline of the Great Smoky Mountains, part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are a division of the larger Appalachian Mountain chain. The border between Tennessee and North... |
North end of US 441 overlap | |||
| Haywood Haywood County, North Carolina -National protected areas:* Blue Ridge Parkway * Great Smoky Mountains National Park * Pisgah National Forest -Major Highways & Roads:* Interstate 40* U.S. Highway 19* U.S. Highway 23* U.S. Highway 74* U.S... |
78 | Blue Ridge Parkway Blue Ridge Parkway The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. It runs for 469 miles , mostly along the famous Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains... |
|||
| Dellwood Dellwood, North Carolina Dellwood is a populated place in Haywood County, North Carolina, United States.-Geography:Dellwood is located at latitude 35.523 and longitude -83.028. The elevation is 2,753 feet. .... |
87 | North end of US 276 overlap | |||
| Lake Junaluska Lake Junaluska, North Carolina Lake Junaluska is a census-designated place in Haywood County, North Carolina, USA. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,675 at the 2000 census... |
89 | South end of US 276 overlap | |||
| 90 | 103 | Northbound exit and Southbound entrance, south end of US 23 overlap, west end of US 74 overlap | |||
| 91 | 104 | ||||
| 92 | 105 | West Jones Cove | |||
| Clyde Clyde, North Carolina Clyde is a town in Haywood County, North Carolina, United States. The 200 census recorded the population at 1,324 people. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Clyde is located at .... |
93 | 106 | , Knoxville Knoxville, Tennessee Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region... |
East end of US 74 overlap | |
| Canton Canton, North Carolina Canton is the second largest town in Haywood County, North Carolina, United States. It is located about west of Asheville, North Carolina and is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town is named after the city of Canton, Ohio.- History :... |
97 | North end of NC 215 overlap | |||
| 98 | South end of NC 215 overlap | ||||
| 98.2 | |||||
| Buncombe Buncombe County, North Carolina -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 206,330 people, 85,776 households, and 55,668 families residing in the county. The population density was 314 people per square mile . There were 93,973 housing units at an average density of 143 per square mile... |
Candler Candler, North Carolina Candler is an unincorporated community in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It lies on North Carolina Highway 151 and U.S. Routes 19, 23, and 74 Business, at an elevation of 2139 feet . The ZIP code of Candler is 28715. The community is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical... |
107 | |||
| Enka Enka, North Carolina Enka is an unincorporated community in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It lies on U.S. Routes 19, 23, and 74 Business near the interchange of Interstates 26, 40, and 240. Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 28728. The American Enka Company,... |
109 | ||||
| Asheville Asheville, North Carolina Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active... |
110 | , Knoxville Knoxville, Tennessee Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region... |
West end of US 74A overlap | ||
| 113 | |||||
| 114 | |||||
| 115 | East end of I-26 overlap, west end of I-240 overlap; business routes hidden at intersection | ||||
| US 19 overlaps with Interstate 26 (exits 3A to 9) | |||||
| Madison Madison County, North Carolina -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 19,635 people, 8,000 households, and 5,592 families residing in the county. The population density was 44 people per square mile . There were 9,722 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile... |
134 | , Johnson City Johnson City, Tennessee Johnson City is a city in Carter, Sullivan, and Washington counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee, with most of the city being in Washington County... |
West end of I-26 overlap, north end of US 23 overlap, brief US 23A overlap | ||
| Yancey Yancey County, North Carolina -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 17,774 people, 7,472 households, and 5,372 families residing in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile . There were 9,729 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile... |
Cane River Cane River, North Carolina Cane River is an unincorporated community in Yancey County, North Carolina, United States. It is located west of Burnsville, at the intersection of US 19/US 19E and US 19W, along the Cane River.... |
145 | – Erwin Erwin, Tennessee Erwin is a town in and the county seat of Unicoi County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 5,610 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Johnson City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport–Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area... |
US 19 ends/US 19E begins | |
| Burnsville Burnsville, North Carolina Burnsville is a town in Yancey County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,623 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Yancey County.-Geography:Burnsville is located at .... |
152 | Brief NC 197 overlap for 0.5 mile (0.80467 km) | |||
| Micaville Micaville, North Carolina Micaville is an unincorporated community in Yancey County, North Carolina, United States.-Education:Micaville Elementary School is operated by Yancey School District, also known as Yancey County School System.-External links:*... |
157 | , Mount Mitchell Mount Mitchell Mount Mitchell can refer to:* Mount Mitchell, the highest point in the eastern United States* Mount Mitchell , in Jasper National Park of Canada* Mount Mitchell * Mount Mitchell , in Queensland... |
Brief NC 80 overlap for 1.2 miles (1.9 km) | ||
| Mitchell Mitchell County, North Carolina -National protected areas:* Blue Ridge Parkway * Pisgah National Forest -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 15,687 people, 6,551 households, and 4,736 families residing in the county. The population density was 71 people per square mile . There were 7,919 housing units at an... |
Spruce Pine Spruce Pine, North Carolina Spruce Pine is a town in Mitchell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,175 at the 2010 census.-History:Spruce Pine was founded in 1907 when the Clinchfield Railroad made its way up the North Toe River from Erwin, Tennessee... |
164 | Brief NC 226 overlap for 0.7 miles (1.1 km) | ||
| Avery Avery County, North Carolina - Climate :As a result of its relatively high elevation, Avery County has a Humid continental climate enjoying considerably cooler summers than most of the rest of the Eastern US. Likewise, winters are longer, colder and snowier than most other locations in the region. This can be evidenced by the... |
Ingalls Ingalls, North Carolina Ingalls is an unincorporated community in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. The community is located at the intersection of US 19-E and NC 194. The Avery County Airport is located two miles south from Ingalls, towards Spruce Pine.... |
171 | |||
| Cranberry Cranberry, North Carolina Cranberry is an unincorporated community in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. The community was founded in 1850 and was named after Cranberry Creek, which flows in the area... |
187 | Brief NC 194 overlap for 0.4 mile (0.643736 km) | |||
Note – None of the Exit numbers listed are based on US 19, but to US 74 which overlaps it in some locations.
History
- 1927 - US 19 first appears in North Carolina; from the Georgia state line (at Bellview) to Tennessee state line (at Elk Park) roughly similar to the route seen today.
- 1930 - US 19 is truncated at Cane River and split into 19E and 19W; 19E follows the original US 19 routing north.
- 1932 - US 19 is rerouted in Asheville from Haywood Road to Clingman Avenue to Hilliard Avenue to Biltmore Avenue towards Broadway Street.
- 1937 - US 19 is rerouted south of Almond to current alignment today. US 19 is rerouted in Asheville from Haywood Road to Clingman Avenue to Patton Avenue to College Avenue to Biltmore Avenue towards Broadway Street.
- 1947 - US 19 is rerouted from Ela to Dillsboro, Sylva, and Waynesville then back to Lake Junaluska. Old route through Cherokee and Maggie Valley becomes US 19A.
- 1948 - US 19 is reverted back to its original routing through Cherokee and Maggie Valley. US 19A swaps to the newer alignment (later replace entirely by US 74 in 1987). US 19 is taken off Beech Glen Road near Mars Hill to its current alignment today.
- 1949 - US 19 is moved onto Smokey Park Highway/Patton Avenue as a bypass in west Asheville. Old routing becomes US 19A (today's US 19 Business).
- 1952 - US 19 is rerouted off Martins Creek Road and onto Blairsville Highway, near Ranger.
- 1954 - US 19 is placed on its current routing from Lake Junaluska to Clyde and Canton; NC 209 absorbs a 0.5 mile (0.80467 km) of the old routing near Lake Junaluska.
- 1955-1957 - US 19 is split onto one-way streets in downtown Asheville. Northbound used: Patton to Market north to Woodfin west to Broadway north; southbound used: Broadway south to College west to Patton.
- 1961 - US 19 is removed from downtown Asheville and put on East-West Expressway, going north at Marrimon Avenue.
- 1963-1968 - US 19 is split onto one-way streets in downtown Canton (Park Street and Main Street).
- 1966 - US 19 was moved onto new freeway west of Weaverville (following same route with today's US 25), US 19 Business assumes old route.
- 1973 - US 19 was removed from Marrimon Avenue to its current alignment north of Asheville.
- 1975 - Freeway extended from Weaverville to Mars Hill, US 19 follows freeway.
- 1979 - US 19 bypasses Andrews, US 19 Business assumes old route
- 1980 - US 19 bypasses Murphy, US 19 Business assumes old route.
- 1984 - US 19 is realigned in Yancey County to its current routing, US 19W extends 0.4 mile (0.643736 km) south.
Future
- US 74 in Cherokee, Graham, and Swain counties are on NCDOT's future plans to build a new multi-lane highway west of the Nantahala Gorge. Unknown at this time if US 19 will join US 74 once completed. Project: A-9.
- US 19/23 from Asheville to Madison county line are planned for freeway improvements. Project: A-10.
- Sections of US 19 and US 19E in Yancey, Mitchell, and Avery counties are on NCDOT's future plans to be widened to a multi-lane highway. These are projects: R-2518, R-2519, and R-2520.
Alternate names
Though the highway is commonly known as "US 19" or "US 19E" throughout the state, the highway does have other known names it uses locally in areas.- Asheville Highway - Road name from Canton to Buncombe/Haywood county line.
- Appalachian Highway - Road name from between Ranger and Andrews.
- Blairsville Highway - Road name between Ranger and the Georgia state line.
- Burnsville Highway - Road name between I-26 and to Burnsville.
- Carolina Boulevard - Road name within Clyde city limits.
- Dellwood Road - Road name between Dellwood and Lake Junaluska.
- Ela Road - Road name between Bryson City and Cherokee.
- Great Smoky Mountains ExpresswayGreat Smoky Mountains ExpresswayThe Great Smoky Mountains Expressway is a four-lane divided highway in southwestern North Carolina, which runs between Interstate 40 near Canton in the east to the Nantahala National Forest near Needmore in the west. It traverses western Haywood, northern Jackson, and eastern Swain counties,...
- Road name when US 19 overlaps with US 74 between Almond and Clyde. - Nantahala Gorge Road - Road name between Andrews and Almond.
- New Clyde Highway - Road name between Clyde and Canton.
- Patton Avenue - Road name used briefly in Asheville.
- Smokey Park Highway - Road name from Buncombe/Haywood county line to Patton Avenue in Asheville.
- Soco Road - Road name between Cherokee and Dellwood.
See also
- Bannered routes of U.S. Route 19Bannered routes of U.S. Route 19Several bannered routes of U.S. Route 19 exist. In order from south to north they are as follows.-St. Petersburg-Holiday alternate route:Alternate U.S. Route 19 is the former section of U.S. Route 19 from St. Petersburg, Florida to Holiday....
- East Tennessee and Western North Carolina RailroadEast Tennessee and Western North Carolina RailroadThe East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad , affectionately called the "Tweetsie" in reference to the sound of its steam whistles, was primarily a railroad established in 1866 for the purpose of serving the mines at Cranberry, North Carolina.The narrow gauge portion of the ET&WNC was...
- Eastern Band of Cherokee IndiansEastern Band of Cherokee IndiansThe Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians , is a federally recognized Native American tribe in the United States of America, who are descended from Cherokee who remained in the Eastern United States while others moved, or were forced to relocate, to the west in the 19th century. The history of the...
- Fontana DamFontana DamFontana Dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Little Tennessee River in Swain and Graham counties, North Carolina, USA. The dam is operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority, which built the dam in the early 1940s to accommodate the skyrocketing electricity demands in the Tennessee Valley at the...
- Great Smoky Mountains National ParkGreat Smoky Mountains National ParkGreat Smoky Mountains National Park is a United States National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site that straddles the ridgeline of the Great Smoky Mountains, part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are a division of the larger Appalachian Mountain chain. The border between Tennessee and North...
- John C. Campbell Folk SchoolJohn C. Campbell Folk SchoolJohn C. Campbell Folk School, also referred to as "The Folk School" is located in Brasstown, North Carolina. The School was founded to nurture and preserve the folk arts of the Appalachian Mountains, it is an non-profit adult educational organization based on non-competitive learning...
- Nantahala National ForestNantahala National ForestThe Nantahala National Forest, established in 1920, is a national forest located in the American state of North Carolina. The word "Nantahala" is a Cherokee word meaning "Land of the Noonday Sun." The name is appropriate as, in some spots, the sun only reaches the floors of the deep gorges of the...
- Nantahala RiverNantahala RiverThe Nantahala River is a river in western North Carolina in the United States, within the Nantahala National Forest, and near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Two-lane U.S...
- Pisgah National ForestPisgah National ForestPisgah National Forest is a National Forest in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina. It is administered by the United States Forest Service, part of the United States Department of Agriculture. The Pisgah National Forest is completely contained within the state of North Carolina...
- U.S. Route 19WU.S. Route 19WU.S. Route 19W traverses approximately from Cane River, North Carolina to Bluff City, Tennessee.-Route description:US 19W begins in western Yancey county at the community of Cane River, at the intersection of US 19/US 19E. Several signs at the beginning of the route strongly recommend truckers...