U.S. Route 221 in Virginia
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 221 is a part of the U.S. Highway System that runs from Perry, Florida
to Lynchburg, Virginia
. In Virginia
, the U.S. Highway runs 149.61 miles (240.8 km) from the North Carolina
state line near Independence
north to its northern terminus at US 29 Business, US 460 Business, and US 501 Business in Lynchburg. US 221 connects Independence, Galax
, and Hillsville
in Southwest Virginia
while running concurrently
with US 58
. The U.S. Highway connects those communities with Roanoke
via Floyd County
, within which US 221 is the main east–west highway. The U.S. Highway also runs concurrently with US 460
from Roanoke to Bedford
and parallels that U.S. Highway from Bedford to Lynchburg.
from North Carolina concurrent with US 21. The U.S. Highways follow two-lane New River Parkway, which crosses the New River a short distance north of the state line. US 221 and US 21 enter the town of Independence as Independence Avenue, which intersects US 58 (Main Street) in the center of town. US 21 continues north on Independence Avenue toward Wytheville
while US 221 turns east onto Main Street. US 221 and US 58 exit the town as Grayson Parkway, which expands to a four-lane divided highway just west of its intersection with SR 274
(Riverside Drive). The U.S. Highways parallel the New River for a short distance before crossing the river at one of its bends. US 221 and US 58 pass to the north of the community of Baywood
before meeting the southern end of SR 94 (Riverside Drive).
East of SR 94, US 221 and US 58 enter the independent city
of Galax. The highway is named Reserve Boulevard until just west of downtown, where the highway becomes an undivided highway named Stuart Drive and intersects SR 89 (Main Street). US 221 and US 58 pass the southern end of New River Trail State Park
before crossing Chestnut Creek and becoming a five-lane road with center turn lane. The U.S. Highways become a divided highway before entering Carroll County
, where the highway is known as Carrollton Pike. US 221 and US 58 pass through Woodlawn
before meeting I-77
at a diamond interchange
. The U.S. Highways enter the town of Hillsville as Stuart Drive, a three-lane road with center turn lane. US 221 and US 58 intersect US 52 (Main Street) in the center of town before the highways diverge. US 58 continues east along Stuart Drive toward Martinsville
while US 221 heads northeast on Floyd Pike, which meets the southern end of SR 100
(Sylvatus Smith Highway) just east of the town limits.
US 221 continues northeast into Floyd County, through which the highway passes as Floyd Highway. The U.S. Highway passes through Willis
and Shelors Mill
before becoming the Main Street of the county seat
Floyd
, where the highway intersects SR 8
(Locust Street). US 221 crosses the ittle River (New River) and passes through Copper Hill
before entering Roanoke County
at Adney Gap. Just north of the county line, the U.S. Highway, now known as Bent Mountain Road, intersects a connector road to the Blue Ridge Parkway
, which parallels the U.S. Highway on the western slope of Bent Mountain. North of the hamlet of Airpoint, US 221 descends the east–west section of Bent Mountain between Poor Mountain
to the west and the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains
to the east. Once the highway is at the bottom of the mountain, it follows Back Creek into the Roanoke Valley
.
, where the highway intersects SR 419
(Electric Road), before entering the city of Roanoke as a two-lane street. US 221 passes to the north of Virginia Western Community College
before reaching Brandon Avenue, which the highway follows east a short distance before veering north onto Main Street. The U.S. Highway heads north through the Wasena
neighborhood before crossing the Roanoke River
and Norfolk Southern Railway
's Altavista District. US 221 veers east on Elm Avenue through the Old Southwest
neighborhood to Franklin Road. Southbound US 221 follows Franklin Road to the northeast while northbound US 221 continues on Elm Avenue to Jefferson Street, which carries SR 116
in both directions. There, US 221 turns north; Elm Avenue continues east as SR 24
.
US 221 and SR 116 head north past the Patrick Henry Hotel
to Franklin Road, where the highways turn east. After one block on Franklin Road, the highways turn north onto four-lane Williamson Road, on which they head north along the eastern side of Downtown Roanoke. US 221 and SR 116 are joined by US 11
at Campbell Avenue. The three highways expand to a divided highway and cross over Norfolk Southern's Blue Ridge District rail line between the Roanoke Shops
to the east and the O. Winston Link Museum
and Hotel Roanoke
to the west. US 221, US 11, and SR 116 have a partial interchange with I-581
and US 220 east of the Gainsboro
neighborhood; the interchange features ramps from northbound US 221 to northbound I-581 and from southbound I-581 to southbound US 221. The highways pass the Roanoke Civic Center before intersecting Orange Avenue in the middle of the Williamson Road
neighborhood. Orange Avenue carries US 460 and U.S. Route 220 Alternate through the intersection, and U.S. Route 11 Alternate west of the intersection. US 11 continues north on Williamson Road, SR 116 turns west onto Orange Avenue, and US 221 turns east onto Orange Avenue.
(Hollins Road). The road reduces to four lanes at Tinker Creek and becomes named Challenger Avenue on re-entering Roanoke County. US 220 Alternate turns north onto Cloverdale Road in the community of Bonsack
just west of where US 221 and US 460 enter Botetourt County
. The U.S. Highways continue as Blue Ridge Boulevard and meet the Blue Ridge Parkway at an interchange south of the community of Blue Ridge
, where the highways parallel Norfolk Southern's Blue Ridge rail line through Buford's Gap
to enter Bedford County
. US 221 and US 460 continue east as the Lynchburg Salem Turnpike through the village of Thaxton
to the independent city of Bedford.
Just inside the city limits, the two U.S. Highways diverge: US 460 continues along its bypass of Bedford while US 221 and US 460 Business head toward the downtown area along two-lane Blue Ridge Avenue. At the west edge of downtown, the highways continue on Main Street and intersect SR 122 Business (Crenshaw Street) at the Bedford Historic Meetinghouse
. At Bridge Street, US 460 Business and southbound SR 43
continue east on Main Street while US 221, SR 122 Business, and northbound SR 43 turn north onto Bridge Street to cross the Blue Ridge District rail line. North of the railroad, SR 43 splits northwest on Peaks Street toward the Peaks of Otter
. US 221 and SR 122 Business head northeast on Longwood Avenue to the business route's terminus at SR 122
, which heads south on Independence Boulevard toward US 460 and north on a continuation of Longwood Avenue.
US 221 continues east on two-lane Forest Road and re-enters Bedford County, where the highway crosses the Little Otter River
and the Otter River
. After passing Goode
, the U.S. Highway heads through Forest
, the site of Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church
and its Old Rectory
and Thomas Jefferson
's private retreat, Poplar Forest
. At Forest, US 221 enters the suburban area surrounding Lynchburg and enters the independent city itself just west of its intersection with US 501
(Lynchburg Expressway). The U.S. Highway follows Lakeside Drive east past Lynchburg College
to Oakley Avenue, onto which the U.S. Highway turns to pass through Lynchburg's West End. US 221 intersects SR 163
(Memorial Avenue) and joins US 460 Business on Fort Avenue next to Calvin Falwell Field
. At Thurman Avenue, the two highways veer onto 12th Street and are joined by a second business route, US 501 Business, at Campbell Avenue. US 221, US 460 Business, and US 501 Business cross over Norfolk Southern's Danville District rail line and turn southeast onto Kemper Street a few blocks south of Lynchburg-Kemper Street Station, which is served by Amtrak
. The three highways pass the Anne Spencer House
before US 221 reaches its northern terminus at a cloverleaf interchange
with US 29 Business (Lynchburg Expressway). Kemper Street continues southeast as US 460 Business and US 501 Business toward their termini at US 29
, US 460, and US 501.
Perry, Florida
Perry is a city in Taylor County, Florida, United States. The population was 7,017 at the 2010 census. As of 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 7,017....
to Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 75,568 as of 2010. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River, Lynchburg is known as the "City of Seven Hills" or "The Hill City." Lynchburg was the only major city in...
. In Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, the U.S. Highway runs 149.61 miles (240.8 km) from the North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
state line near Independence
Independence, Virginia
Independence is a town in Grayson County, Virginia, United States. The population was 971 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Grayson County. Independence is home to a major town celebration on July 4 every year, held in front of the 1908 courthouse. It features bluegrass and old-time...
north to its northern terminus at US 29 Business, US 460 Business, and US 501 Business in Lynchburg. US 221 connects Independence, Galax
Galax, Virginia
Galax is an independent city in the southwestern part of the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is bounded to the northeast by Carroll County and to the southwest by Grayson County. The population was 7,042 as of 2010...
, and Hillsville
Hillsville, Virginia
Hillsville is a town in Carroll County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,607 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Carroll County.-Geography:Hillsville is located at ....
in Southwest Virginia
Southwest Virginia
Southwest Virginia, often abbreviated as SWVA, is a mountainous region of Virginia in the westernmost part of the commonwealth. Southwest Virginia has been defined alternatively as all Virginia counties on the Appalachian Plateau, all Virginia counties west of the Eastern Continental Divide, or...
while running concurrently
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
with US 58
U.S. Route 58
U.S. Route 58 is an east–west U.S. Highway that runs for from U.S. Route 25E just northwest of Harrogate, Tennessee to U.S. Route 60 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Until 1996, when the Cumberland Gap Tunnel opened, US 58 ran only inside the commonwealth of Virginia...
. The U.S. Highway connects those communities with Roanoke
Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke is an independent city in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. state of Virginia and is the tenth-largest city in the Commonwealth. It is located in the Roanoke Valley of the Roanoke Region of Virginia. The population within the city limits was 97,032 as of 2010...
via Floyd County
Floyd County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,874 people, 5,791 households, and 4,157 families residing in the county. The population density was 36 people per square mile . There were 6,763 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile...
, within which US 221 is the main east–west highway. The U.S. Highway also runs concurrently with US 460
U.S. Route 460 in Virginia
U.S. Route 460 in Virginia runs east–west through the southern part of the state. It has two separate pieces in Virginia, joined by a relatively short section in West Virginia...
from Roanoke to Bedford
Bedford, Virginia
Bedford is an independent city located within the confines of Bedford County in the U.S. state of Virginia. It serves as the county seat of Bedford County. As of 2010, the city had a total population of 6,222. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Bedford with surrounding Bedford...
and parallels that U.S. Highway from Bedford to Lynchburg.
Independence to Roanoke
US 221 enters Grayson County, VirginiaGrayson County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 17,917 people, 7,259 households, and 5,088 families residing in the county. The population density was 40 people per square mile . There were 9,123 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile...
from North Carolina concurrent with US 21. The U.S. Highways follow two-lane New River Parkway, which crosses the New River a short distance north of the state line. US 221 and US 21 enter the town of Independence as Independence Avenue, which intersects US 58 (Main Street) in the center of town. US 21 continues north on Independence Avenue toward Wytheville
Wytheville, Virginia
Wytheville is a town in Wythe County, Virginia, United States. The population was 8,211 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Wythe County. The town is home to a Chautauqua Festival, held the third weekend in June every year since 1985...
while US 221 turns east onto Main Street. US 221 and US 58 exit the town as Grayson Parkway, which expands to a four-lane divided highway just west of its intersection with SR 274
Virginia State Route 274
State Route 274 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. Along with State Route 94 south of its east end, SR 274 is an old alignment of U.S. Route 58/U.S. Route 221 between Independence and Galax.-External links:*...
(Riverside Drive). The U.S. Highways parallel the New River for a short distance before crossing the river at one of its bends. US 221 and US 58 pass to the north of the community of Baywood
Baywood, Virginia
Baywood is an unincorporated community in Grayson County, in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Virginia.-History:Baywood was established as a hub community, roughly embracing the area from Meadow Creek, Edmonds, NC, Little River and New River. The area was settled in the late 18th century...
before meeting the southern end of SR 94 (Riverside Drive).
East of SR 94, US 221 and US 58 enter the independent city
Independent city
An independent city is a city that does not form part of another general-purpose local government entity. These type of cities should not be confused with city-states , which are fully sovereign cities that are not part of any other sovereign state.-Historical precursors:In the Holy Roman Empire,...
of Galax. The highway is named Reserve Boulevard until just west of downtown, where the highway becomes an undivided highway named Stuart Drive and intersects SR 89 (Main Street). US 221 and US 58 pass the southern end of New River Trail State Park
New River Trail State Park
New River Trail State Park is a state park located in southern Virginia, United States. It parallels of the New River along an old railroad right-of-way, and is a designated National Recreation Trail....
before crossing Chestnut Creek and becoming a five-lane road with center turn lane. The U.S. Highways become a divided highway before entering Carroll County
Carroll County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 29,245 people, 12,186 households, and 8,786 families residing in the county. The population density was 61 people per square mile . There were 14,680 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile...
, where the highway is known as Carrollton Pike. US 221 and US 58 pass through Woodlawn
Woodlawn, Virginia
Woodlawn is a census-designated place in Carroll County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,249 at the 2000 census. Woodlawn is musically notable as the home of Heritage Shoppe and Heritage Records, a store and record label owned by Bobby Patterson, a musician from a regionally...
before meeting I-77
Interstate 77 in Virginia
In the U.S. state of Virginia, Interstate 77 is a north–south along the U.S. Route 52 corridor, serving Hillsville, Wytheville, and Bland...
at a diamond interchange
Diamond interchange
A diamond interchange is a common type of road junction, used where a freeway crosses a minor road. The freeway itself is grade-separated from the minor road, one crossing the other over a bridge...
. The U.S. Highways enter the town of Hillsville as Stuart Drive, a three-lane road with center turn lane. US 221 and US 58 intersect US 52 (Main Street) in the center of town before the highways diverge. US 58 continues east along Stuart Drive toward Martinsville
Martinsville, Virginia
Martinsville is an independent city which is surrounded by Henry County, Virginia, United States. The population was 13,821 in 2010. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Martinsville with Henry County for statistical purposes...
while US 221 heads northeast on Floyd Pike, which meets the southern end of SR 100
Virginia State Route 100
Virginia State Route 100 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. The state highway runs from U.S. Route 221 in Hillsville north to SR 61 in Narrows...
(Sylvatus Smith Highway) just east of the town limits.
US 221 continues northeast into Floyd County, through which the highway passes as Floyd Highway. The U.S. Highway passes through Willis
Willis, Floyd County, Virginia
Willis is an incorporated community in southwestern Floyd County, Virginia, United States. It lies along U.S. Route 221 southwest of the town of Floyd, the county seat of Floyd County. It has an elevation of 2,723 feet . Willis has a post office, and a store called The Willis Village Mart....
and Shelors Mill
Shelors Mill, Virginia
Shelors Mill is an unincorporated community in Floyd County, Virginia, United States....
before becoming the Main Street of the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
Floyd
Floyd, Virginia
Floyd is a town in Floyd County, Virginia, United States. The population was 432 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Floyd County. The Town of Floyd was originally named Jacksonville as the surrounding county was formed during the tenure of President Andrew Jackson...
, where the highway intersects SR 8
Virginia State Route 8
Virginia State Route 8 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. The state highway runs from the North Carolina state line near Palmetto, where the highway continues south as North Carolina Highway 8 , north to U.S. Route 11 in Christiansburg...
(Locust Street). US 221 crosses the ittle River (New River) and passes through Copper Hill
Copper Hill, Virginia
Copper Hill is an unincorporated community in Floyd County, Virginia, United States....
before entering Roanoke County
Roanoke County, Virginia
Roanoke County is a county located in the U.S. state of the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is part of the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area and located within the Roanoke Region of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 85,778. As of 2010, the population was 92,376...
at Adney Gap. Just north of the county line, the U.S. Highway, now known as Bent Mountain Road, intersects a connector road 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...
, which parallels the U.S. Highway on the western slope of Bent Mountain. North of the hamlet of Airpoint, US 221 descends the east–west section of Bent Mountain between Poor Mountain
Poor Mountain
Poor Mountain is a ridge of high peaks located in Roanoke County, Virginia and Montgomery County, Virginia. At 3,928 feet, Poor Mountain is the tallest mountain in the immediate area. The mountain is under consideration for the placement of a wind farm...
to the west and the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains
Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. This province consists of northern and southern physiographic regions, which divide near the Roanoke River gap. The mountain range is located in the eastern United States, starting at its southern-most...
to the east. Once the highway is at the bottom of the mountain, it follows Back Creek into the Roanoke Valley
Roanoke Valley
The Roanoke Valley in southwest Virginia is an area adjacent to and including the Roanoke River between the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the Appalachian Plateau to the west...
.
City of Roanoke
Once in the valley, US 221 becomes Brambleton Avenue, a five-lane road with center turn lane. The highway passes through the suburb of Cave SpringCave Spring, Virginia
Cave Spring is a census-designated place in Roanoke County, Virginia, United States. The population was 24,922 at the 2010 census. Cave Spring covers much of the area known locally as "Southwest County" which has the most affluent suburbs of Roanoke...
, where the highway intersects SR 419
Virginia State Route 419
State Route 419, also known as Electric Road, is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. It runs from the south split of U.S. Route 220 and U.S. Route 220 Business in southern Roanoke west and north via Cave Spring and Salem to State Route 311...
(Electric Road), before entering the city of Roanoke as a two-lane street. US 221 passes to the north of Virginia Western Community College
Virginia Western Community College
Chartered in 1966, Virginia Western Community College is a two-year public college located on a 70 acre campus in the Franklin-Colonial neighborhood of Roanoke, Virginia, United States. It is the third-largest college in the Virginia Community College System.-Students:In the fall 2006 semester,...
before reaching Brandon Avenue, which the highway follows east a short distance before veering north onto Main Street. The U.S. Highway heads north through the Wasena
Wasena, Roanoke, Virginia
Wasena is a Roanoke, Virginia neighborhood located in south, central Roanoke bisected by U.S. Route 221 , immediately to the south of the Roanoke River...
neighborhood before crossing the Roanoke River
Roanoke River
The Roanoke River is a river in southern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina in the United States, 410 mi long. A major river of the southeastern United States, it drains a largely rural area of the coastal plain from the eastern edge of the Appalachian Mountains southeast across the Piedmont...
and Norfolk Southern Railway
Norfolk Southern Railway
The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada...
's Altavista District. US 221 veers east on Elm Avenue through the Old Southwest
Old Southwest, Roanoke, Virginia
Old Southwest is a neighborhood of the independent city of Roanoke, Virginia, U.S.A.. Located geographically near the center of the city, Old Southwest was annexed from Roanoke County in 1890 and developed as one of Roanoke's more affluent residential areas...
neighborhood to Franklin Road. Southbound US 221 follows Franklin Road to the northeast while northbound US 221 continues on Elm Avenue to Jefferson Street, which carries SR 116
Virginia State Route 116
Virginia State Route 116 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. The state highway runs from SR 122 at Burnt Chimney north to SR 101 in Roanoke. SR 116 connects northwestern Franklin County with the southeastern part of Roanoke...
in both directions. There, US 221 turns north; Elm Avenue continues east as SR 24
Virginia State Route 24
Virginia State Route 24 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. The state highway runs from U.S. Route 221 and SR 116 in Roanoke east to US 60 in Mt. Rush. SR 24 connects Roanoke with several small communities in southern Bedford County and central Campbell County...
.
US 221 and SR 116 head north past the Patrick Henry Hotel
Patrick Henry Hotel
The Patrick Henry Hotel is a Colonial Revival former hotel listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register in Downtown Roanoke, Virginia, United States. Located at 617 South Jefferson Street at the southern end of Downtown, the Patrick Henry was designed...
to Franklin Road, where the highways turn east. After one block on Franklin Road, the highways turn north onto four-lane Williamson Road, on which they head north along the eastern side of Downtown Roanoke. US 221 and SR 116 are joined by US 11
U.S. Route 11 in Virginia
U.S. Route 11 in Virginia runs north–south through the western part of the state, parallel to Interstate 81.-History:What is now US 11 was added to the state highway system in 1918 as portions of State Route 10 and State Route 3 . SR 3 became State Route 33 in 1923, and US 11 was applied to...
at Campbell Avenue. The three highways expand to a divided highway and cross over Norfolk Southern's Blue Ridge District rail line between the Roanoke Shops
Roanoke Shops
thumb|250px|[[Norfolk Southern]] Roanoke Shops in 2004.The Roanoke Shops of the Norfolk and Western Railway in Roanoke, Virginia were founded in 1881 as the Roanoke Machine Works. It came under the control of the railroad in 1883. Locomotive production started in 1884 and 152 locomotives were...
to the east and the O. Winston Link Museum
O. Winston Link Museum
thumb|250px|[[Norfolk & Western Railway]]'s [[Roanoke, Virginia]] depotThe O. Winston Link Museum is a museum dedicated to the photography of O...
and Hotel Roanoke
Hotel Roanoke
The Hotel Roanoke is a luxury hotel located in the Gainsboro neighborhood of Roanoke, Virginia. Originally built in 1882, the hotel has been renovated many times. It is currently owned by Virginia Tech and operated under the Doubletree Hotels brand...
to the west. US 221, US 11, and SR 116 have a partial interchange with I-581
Interstate 581
Interstate 581 is a spur off Interstate 81 into Roanoke, Virginia, United States, completely overlapping U.S. Route 220.-Route description:...
and US 220 east of the Gainsboro
Gainsboro, Roanoke, Virginia
Gainsboro is a Roanoke, Virginia neighborhood located in central Roanoke immediately north of Downtown, across the Norfolk Southern Railway right of way, between Interstate 581 and Orange Avenue. It borders the neighborhoods of Harrison and Gilmer on the west, Washington Park on the north,...
neighborhood; the interchange features ramps from northbound US 221 to northbound I-581 and from southbound I-581 to southbound US 221. The highways pass the Roanoke Civic Center before intersecting Orange Avenue in the middle of the Williamson Road
Williamson Road, Roanoke, Virginia
Williamson Road is a Roanoke, Virginia neighborhood located in north, central Roanoke. It borders the neighborhoods of Roundhill and Preston Park on the north, Belmont on the south, Hollins on the east, and Gainsboro and Washington Park on the west opposite Interstate 581...
neighborhood. Orange Avenue carries US 460 and U.S. Route 220 Alternate through the intersection, and U.S. Route 11 Alternate west of the intersection. US 11 continues north on Williamson Road, SR 116 turns west onto Orange Avenue, and US 221 turns east onto Orange Avenue.
Roanoke to Lynchburg
US 221, US 460, and US 220 Alternate head east as a six-lane divided highway that passes under Norfolk Southern Railway's Roanoke District and intersects SR 115Virginia State Route 115
Virginia State Route 115 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. Known for most of its length as Plantation Road, the state highway runs from U.S...
(Hollins Road). The road reduces to four lanes at Tinker Creek and becomes named Challenger Avenue on re-entering Roanoke County. US 220 Alternate turns north onto Cloverdale Road in the community of Bonsack
Bonsack, Virginia
Bonsack is an unincorporated community in eastern Roanoke County, Virginia, United States. The community is divided by Route 220 which later junctions with U.S. 460....
just west of where US 221 and US 460 enter Botetourt County
Botetourt County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 30,496 people, 11,700 households, and 9,114 families residing in the county. The population density was 56 people per square mile . There were 12,571 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile...
. The U.S. Highways continue as Blue Ridge Boulevard and meet the Blue Ridge Parkway at an interchange south of the community of Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge, Virginia
Blue Ridge is a census-designated place in Botetourt County, Virginia, United States. The population was 3,188 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, where the highways parallel Norfolk Southern's Blue Ridge rail line through Buford's Gap
Buford's Gap
Buford's Gap is a wind gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Bedford County, Virginia. Buford's Gap was the original crossing of the Blue Ridge Mountains for the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, later the Norfolk and Western Railway, a precursor of today's Norfolk Southern Railway system. It was the...
to enter Bedford County
Bedford County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 60,371 people, 23,838 households, and 18,164 families residing in the county. The population density was 80 people per square mile . There were 26,841 housing units at an average density of 36 per square mile...
. US 221 and US 460 continue east as the Lynchburg Salem Turnpike through the village of Thaxton
Thaxton, Virginia
Thaxton is an unincorporated community in Bedford County, Virginia, United States. There is a town of the same name in Mississippi ....
to the independent city of Bedford.
Just inside the city limits, the two U.S. Highways diverge: US 460 continues along its bypass of Bedford while US 221 and US 460 Business head toward the downtown area along two-lane Blue Ridge Avenue. At the west edge of downtown, the highways continue on Main Street and intersect SR 122 Business (Crenshaw Street) at the Bedford Historic Meetinghouse
Bedford Historic Meetinghouse
Bedford Historic Meetinghouse is a historic meeting house in 153 W. Main Street in Bedford, Virginia.It was built in 1838 and added to the National Register in 1978....
. At Bridge Street, US 460 Business and southbound SR 43
Virginia State Route 43
Virginia State Route 43 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. The state highway consists of two disjoint segments that have a total length of . The southern portion of the state highway runs from U.S. Route 29 Business in Altavista north to the Blue Ridge Parkway at Peaks...
continue east on Main Street while US 221, SR 122 Business, and northbound SR 43 turn north onto Bridge Street to cross the Blue Ridge District rail line. North of the railroad, SR 43 splits northwest on Peaks Street toward the Peaks of Otter
Peaks of Otter
The Peaks of Otter are three mountain peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains, overlooking the town of Bedford, Virginia, nine miles to the southeast along State Route 43. These peaks are...
. US 221 and SR 122 Business head northeast on Longwood Avenue to the business route's terminus at SR 122
Virginia State Route 122
Virginia State Route 122 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. The state highway runs from SR 40 in Rocky Mount north to U.S. Route 501 in Big Island. SR 122 passes through the Blue Ridge foothills of Franklin and Bedford, connecting Rocky Mount with the independent city of...
, which heads south on Independence Boulevard toward US 460 and north on a continuation of Longwood Avenue.
US 221 continues east on two-lane Forest Road and re-enters Bedford County, where the highway crosses the Little Otter River
Little Otter River
The Little Otter River is a river in the United States state of Virginia.-References:**USGS Hydrologic Unit Map - State of Virginia...
and the Otter River
Otter River (Virginia)
-References:**USGS Hydrologic Unit Map - State of Virginia...
. After passing Goode
Goode, Virginia
Goode is an unincorporated community between Bedford and Forest in Bedford County, Virginia, United States. Its ZIP Code is 24556. It is largely made up of rolling hills and farmland....
, the U.S. Highway heads through Forest
Forest, Virginia
Forest is a census-designated place in Bedford County, Virginia, United States. The population was 8,006 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Lynchburg Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Forest is located at ....
, the site of Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church
Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church (Forest, Virginia)
Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church is a a historic church in Forest, Virginia.It was built in 1844 and added to the National Register in 1985....
and its Old Rectory
Old Rectory (Perrowville, Virginia)
Old Rectory of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church is a historic church rectory in Perrowville, Virginia.It was built in 1787 and added to the National Register in 1973....
and Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
's private retreat, Poplar Forest
Poplar Forest
Poplar Forest was Thomas Jefferson's plantation and plantation house in what is now Forest, Virginia, near Lynchburg. He designed it and treated it as a private retreat, working on it from 1806 until his death 20 years later. "It is the most valuable of my possessions," Jefferson once wrote a...
. At Forest, US 221 enters the suburban area surrounding Lynchburg and enters the independent city itself just west of its intersection with US 501
U.S. Route 501 in Virginia
U.S. Route 501 is a part of the U.S. Highway System that runs from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to Buena Vista, Virginia. In Virginia, the U.S. Highway runs from the North Carolina state line near Cluster Springs north to its northern terminus at US 60 in Buena Vista...
(Lynchburg Expressway). The U.S. Highway follows Lakeside Drive east past Lynchburg College
Lynchburg College
Lynchburg College is a private college in Lynchburg, Virginia, USA, related by covenant to the Christian Church with approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. The Princeton Review lists it as one of the 368 best colleges in the nation...
to Oakley Avenue, onto which the U.S. Highway turns to pass through Lynchburg's West End. US 221 intersects SR 163
Virginia State Route 163
Virginia State Route 163 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. The state highway runs from U.S. Route 501 and US 29 Business in Lynchburg north to US 29 Business in Madison Heights. SR 163 is the original alignment of US 29 through Lynchburg, a highway has been twice bypassed:...
(Memorial Avenue) and joins US 460 Business on Fort Avenue next to Calvin Falwell Field
Calvin Falwell Field
Calvin Falwell Field, located in Lynchburg, Virginia, was originally constructed in 1939 to be used as a complex for professional baseball teams. The baseball stadium was built in conjunction with an adjacent 6,000-person football stadium. The New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers played in the...
. At Thurman Avenue, the two highways veer onto 12th Street and are joined by a second business route, US 501 Business, at Campbell Avenue. US 221, US 460 Business, and US 501 Business cross over Norfolk Southern's Danville District rail line and turn southeast onto Kemper Street a few blocks south of Lynchburg-Kemper Street Station, which is served by Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
. The three highways pass the Anne Spencer House
Anne Spencer House
The Anne Spencer House, in Lynchburg, Virginia, USA was, from 1903 to 1975, the home of Anne Spencer, a poet of the Harlem Renaissance. She was the first Virginian and first African-American to have her poetry included in the Norton Anthology of American Poetry...
before US 221 reaches its northern terminus at a cloverleaf interchange
Cloverleaf interchange
A cloverleaf interchange is a two-level interchange in which left turns, reverse direction in left-driving regions, are handled by ramp roads...
with US 29 Business (Lynchburg Expressway). Kemper Street continues southeast as US 460 Business and US 501 Business toward their termini at US 29
U.S. Route 29 in Virginia
U.S. Route 29 is a major north–south route in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It covers from the North Carolina border at the city of Danville to the Key Bridge in Washington, D.C....
, US 460, and US 501.