North Carolina Highway 306 is a state highway

State highway

State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...

 in the U.S. state of 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...

 that runs north–south in the eastern part of the state.

Route description

The highway's southern terminus is in Craven County

Craven County, North Carolina

Craven County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The estimated population in 2006 was 94,875. Its county seat is New Bern.Craven County is part of the New Bern, North Carolina, Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...

, near Havelock

Havelock, North Carolina

Havelock is a city in Craven County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 22,442 at the 2000 census, and estimated to be 21,906 in 2006...

. It follows Ferry Road north from its intersection with NC 101 for about five miles before it encounters the Neuse River

Neuse River

The Neuse River is a river rising in the Piedmont of North Carolina and emptying into Pamlico Sound below New Bern. Its total length is approximately , making it the longest river entirely contained in North Carolina. The Trent River joins it at New Bern. Its drainage basin, measuring in area,...

. On the banks of the river is the dock for a free ferry, which the highway utilizes to cross the river. Many locals use this ferry to commute to and from the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in Havelock, which makes this particular crossing among the busiest in the state.

Once across the river, which serves as the county line for Pamlico County

Pamlico County, North Carolina

-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 12,934 people, 5,178 households, and 3,717 families residing in the county. The population density was 38 people per square mile . There were 6,781 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile...

, the highway goes through the village of Minnesott Beach

Minnesott Beach, North Carolina

Minnesott Beach is a town in Pamlico County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 311 at the 2000 census. It is part of the New Bern, North Carolina Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Minnesott Beach is located at ....

. The route goes due north through Pamlico County on the east bank of the river. It crosses NC 55 about halfway through the county before crossing into Beaufort County. Many from southern Craven and Carteret counties use this route to get to the popular destination of Oriental.

Once in Beaufort County

Beaufort County, North Carolina

- Law and government :Beaufort County is a member of the Mid-East Commission regional council of governments.Beaufort County is one of the proposed sites for a Navy outlying landing field. This practice airfield would allow pilots to simulate landings on an aircraft carrier...

, a brief concurrency begins a few miles into the county, with NC 33. NC 306 then turns left, skirting Aurora

Aurora, North Carolina

Aurora is a town in Beaufort County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 583 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Aurora is located at ....

 and bisecting the large PCS Phosphate Facilities. After going through PCS Phosphate, the road crosses the Pamlico River

Pamlico River

The Pamlico River is a tidal river that flows into Pamlico Sound, in North Carolina in the United States of America. It is formed by the confluence of the Tar River and Tranters Creek....

, again by a free ferry used by many commuters to get to the phosphate plant. On the other side of the river, the route immediately and abruptly comes to its northern terminus at NC 92 and NC 99

North Carolina Highway 99

NC 99 is a North Carolina state highway in the central Coastal Plain region of the state. It is long and is signed north/south.NC 99 was born in the early-1930s, being routed over a previously unnumbered road in Beaufort County...

, still in Beaufort County.

Junction list

County	Location	Mile	Destinations	Notes
Craven Craven County, North Carolina Craven County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The estimated population in 2006 was 94,875. Its county seat is New Bern.Craven County is part of the New Bern, North Carolina, Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...	Havelock Havelock, North Carolina Havelock is a city in Craven County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 22,442 at the 2000 census, and estimated to be 21,906 in 2006...	0.00		Southern terminus
Cherry Branch – Minnesott Ferry across the Neuse River Neuse River The Neuse River is a river rising in the Piedmont of North Carolina and emptying into Pamlico Sound below New Bern. Its total length is approximately , making it the longest river entirely contained in North Carolina. The Trent River joins it at New Bern. Its drainage basin, measuring in area,...
Pamlico Pamlico County, North Carolina -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 12,934 people, 5,178 households, and 3,717 families residing in the county. The population density was 38 people per square mile . There were 6,781 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile...	Grantsboro Grantsboro, North Carolina Grantsboro is a town in Pamlico County, North Carolina, United States. It was incorporated in 1997 and is located at the intersection of North Carolina Highways 55 and 306....
Beaufort Beaufort County, North Carolina - Law and government :Beaufort County is a member of the Mid-East Commission regional council of governments.Beaufort County is one of the proposed sites for a Navy outlying landing field. This practice airfield would allow pilots to simulate landings on an aircraft carrier...	Aurora Aurora, North Carolina Aurora is a town in Beaufort County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 583 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Aurora is located at ....			Begin NC 33 concurrency
				End NC 33 concurrency
	Bayview Bayview, North Carolina Bayview is an unincorporated community in Beaufort County, North Carolina, United States. The community is located on the north bank of the Pamlico River south of North Carolina Highway 92....		Hudles Cut Ferry across the Pamlico River Pamlico River The Pamlico River is a tidal river that flows into Pamlico Sound, in North Carolina in the United States of America. It is formed by the confluence of the Tar River and Tranters Creek....
				Northern terminus