U.S. Route 21

U.S. Route 21 marker
U.S. Route 21
Map
US 21 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by SCDOT, NCDOT, and VDOT
Length393 mi[1] (632 km)
ExistedNovember 11, 1926 (1926-11-11)[2]–present
Tourist
routes
  • McTeer Bridge Scenic Byway
  • US 21 Scenic Byway
Major junctions
South endHunting Island State Park, SC
Major intersections
North end I-81 / US 52 in Wytheville, VA
Location
CountryUnited States
StatesSouth Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia
CountiesSC: Beaufort, Hampton, Colleton, Bamberg, Orangeburg, Calhoun, Lexington, Richland, Fairfield, Chester, York
NC: Mecklenburg, Iredell, Yadkin, Surry, Wilkes, Alleghany
VA: Grayson, Wythe
Highway system
US 20US US 22
SC 20SC SC 22
NC 20NC NC 22
SR 20VA SR 22

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highway, US 21 only travels through three states and is no longer a cross-country route, as many sections have been replaced by I-77 in Ohio and West Virginia.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).

  1. ^ Total length is calculated from route mileages provided by each state DOT.
  2. ^ 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.