U.S. Route 441 in North Carolina
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 441 is an north–south United States highway that runs for 64.5 miles (103.8 km) from the Georgia
state line, near Dillard
, to the Tennessee
state line, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
.
and US 441 enter the Nantahala National Forest
. The concurrent routes head north through a pair of small communities before intersecting US 64 in Franklin. US 23
and US 441 turn east, briefly overlapping US 64 around Franklin before separating from the route and continuing to the northeast through the forest. At Dillsboro
, US 23 and US 441 intersect U.S. Route 74
, here a limited-access highway. US 23
and US 441 both merge onto the freeway, becoming concurrent with US 74; however, US 23 follows US 74 east toward Asheville
while US 441 utilizes US 74
west. Near Qualla, the overlap with US 74 comes to an end as US 441 departs the freeway as well as the forest.
US 441 heads north to Cherokee
, a town located within the Eastern Cherokee Indian Reservation, where it briefly overlaps US 19
through the town center. Past Cherokee, US 441 progresses north through the reservation to the southern extent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
, a dual-state park situated on the North Carolina-Tennessee border. From the park entrance to the Tennessee
state line, the route follows a northwesterly alignment as it traverses the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
.
The section of US 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
is not maintained by NCDOT
, but by the National Park Service
. During the winter season, the road in the high elevation may be temporary closed due to inclement weather; signs after the park entrance and/or at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center will notify travelers/visitors on any closings or condition changes.
through Franklin
to Dillsboro
. At Dillsboro
, US 441 overlaps with US 19A
/NC 107 to Whittier
, where it then switches briefly with mainline US 19
. In Cherokee
it continues to follow NC 107 (Newfound Gap Road) to the Tennessee
state line in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
.
In 1956, NC 107 was removed from the route.
In 1974, the bypass was completed around Franklin
, creating US 441 Business through the old route through the city. During the 1980s, US 441 was redirected west around Cherokee
, creating US 441 Business along the original route. Throughout the 1980s-90s, US 441 has been widen to 4-lane from the Georgia
to Cherokee
.
|-
!County
!Location
!Mile
!Exit
!Destinations
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=3|Macon
|rowspan=3|Franklin
|style="background:#ddffdd"|12
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|West end of US 64 overlap
|-
|style="background:#ddffdd"|14
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|East end of US 64 overlap
|-
|15.5
|
|
|
|-
|rowspan=5|Jackson
|
|29
|
|
|
|-
|rowspan=2|Dillsboro
|32
|
|
|
|-
|style="background:#ddffdd"|32.5
|style="background:#ddffdd"|81*
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|North end of US 23 overlap, east end of US 74 overlap
|-
|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|40
|style="background:#ddffdd"|74*
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|West end of US 74 overlap
|-
|rowspan=3|Cherokee
|44.5
|
|
|
|-
|rowspan=3|Swain
|style="background:#ddffdd"|45
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|South end of US 19 overlap
|-
|style="background:#ddffdd"|45.5
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|North end of US 19 overlap
|-
|
|48
|
|Blue Ridge Parkway
|
|-
Note – Exit numbers with an asterisk (*) are numbered by US 74.
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, near Dillard
Dillard, Georgia
Dillard is a city in Rabun County, Georgia, United States. census, the city population was 198.-Geography:Dillard is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, Dillard has a total area of , all of it land...
, 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, in 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...
.
Route description
Upon crossing the state line, US 23U.S. Route 23 in North Carolina
U.S. Route 23 is an north–south United States highway that runs for from the Georgia state line, near Dillard, to the Tennessee state line, near Flag Pond.-Route description:...
and US 441 enter the Nantahala National Forest
Nantahala National Forest
The 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...
. The concurrent routes head north through a pair of small communities before intersecting US 64 in Franklin. US 23
U.S. Route 23 in North Carolina
U.S. Route 23 is an north–south United States highway that runs for from the Georgia state line, near Dillard, to the Tennessee state line, near Flag Pond.-Route description:...
and US 441 turn east, briefly overlapping US 64 around Franklin before separating from the route and continuing to the northeast through the forest. At Dillsboro
Dillsboro, North Carolina
Dillsboro is a town in Jackson County, North Carolina, United States. The town is a popular tourist location, at which visitors tend to stop on their way into the Great Smoky Mountains. The town of Sylva is located just one mile east of Dillsboro and is the county seat...
, US 23 and US 441 intersect U.S. Route 74
U.S. Route 74
U.S. Route 74 is an east–west United States highway that runs for from Cleveland, Tennessee to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.-Tennessee:Established in 1987, US-74 western terminus is exit 20 on I-75 in Cleveland...
, here a limited-access highway. US 23
U.S. Route 23 in North Carolina
U.S. Route 23 is an north–south United States highway that runs for from the Georgia state line, near Dillard, to the Tennessee state line, near Flag Pond.-Route description:...
and US 441 both merge onto the freeway, becoming concurrent with US 74; however, US 23 follows US 74 east toward 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...
while US 441 utilizes US 74
U.S. Route 74
U.S. Route 74 is an east–west United States highway that runs for from Cleveland, Tennessee to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.-Tennessee:Established in 1987, US-74 western terminus is exit 20 on I-75 in Cleveland...
west. Near Qualla, the overlap with US 74 comes to an end as US 441 departs the freeway as well as the forest.
US 441 heads north to 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...
, a town located within the Eastern Cherokee Indian Reservation, where it briefly overlaps US 19
U.S. Route 19 in North Carolina
U.S. Route 19 in North Carolina traverses approximately 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...
through the town center. Past Cherokee, US 441 progresses north through the reservation to the southern extent of 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...
, a dual-state park situated on the North Carolina-Tennessee border. From the park entrance 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, the route follows a northwesterly alignment as it traverses 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...
.
The section of US 441 in 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...
is not maintained by NCDOT
North Carolina Department of Transportation
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is responsible for building, repairing, and operating highways, bridges, and other modes of transportation, including ferries in the U.S. state of North Carolina.-History:...
, but by the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
. During the winter season, the road in the high elevation may be temporary closed due to inclement weather; signs after the park entrance and/or at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center will notify travelers/visitors on any closings or condition changes.
History
Established in 1951, US 441 followed US 23U.S. Route 23 in North Carolina
U.S. Route 23 is an north–south United States highway that runs for from the Georgia state line, near Dillard, to the Tennessee state line, near Flag Pond.-Route description:...
through Franklin
Franklin, North Carolina
Franklin is a town in Franklin Township, Macon County, North Carolina, United States, within the Nantahala National Forest. The population was 3,490 as of the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Macon County. Franklin is an official Appalachian Trail friendly destination...
to Dillsboro
Dillsboro, North Carolina
Dillsboro is a town in Jackson County, North Carolina, United States. The town is a popular tourist location, at which visitors tend to stop on their way into the Great Smoky Mountains. The town of Sylva is located just one mile east of Dillsboro and is the county seat...
. At Dillsboro
Dillsboro, North Carolina
Dillsboro is a town in Jackson County, North Carolina, United States. The town is a popular tourist location, at which visitors tend to stop on their way into the Great Smoky Mountains. The town of Sylva is located just one mile east of Dillsboro and is the county seat...
, US 441 overlaps with US 19A
U.S. Route 19 in North Carolina
U.S. Route 19 in North Carolina traverses approximately 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...
/NC 107 to Whittier
Whittier, North Carolina
Whittier is an unincorporated community in Jackson and Swain counties in the western part of the U.S. state of North Carolina. Founded in 1881 by Clark Whittier when he purchased 60,000 acres of land in the area, it was incorporated as a town from 1887 to 1933...
, where it then switches briefly with mainline US 19
U.S. Route 19 in North Carolina
U.S. Route 19 in North Carolina traverses approximately 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...
. In 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...
it continues to follow NC 107 (Newfound Gap Road) 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 in 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...
.
In 1956, NC 107 was removed from the route.
In 1974, the bypass was completed around Franklin
Franklin, North Carolina
Franklin is a town in Franklin Township, Macon County, North Carolina, United States, within the Nantahala National Forest. The population was 3,490 as of the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Macon County. Franklin is an official Appalachian Trail friendly destination...
, creating US 441 Business through the old route through the city. During the 1980s, US 441 was redirected west around 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...
, creating US 441 Business along the original route. Throughout the 1980s-90s, US 441 has been widen to 4-lane 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...
to 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...
.
Junction list
{| class="wikitable"|-
!County
!Location
!Mile
!Exit
!Destinations
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=3|Macon
Macon County, North Carolina
- Geographic features :Of the in Macon County, are federal lands that lie within the Nantahala National Forest and are administered by the United States Forest Service. Of the of USFS land, lie in the Highlands Ranger District and the remaining lie in the Wayah Ranger District...
|rowspan=3|Franklin
Franklin, North Carolina
Franklin is a town in Franklin Township, Macon County, North Carolina, United States, within the Nantahala National Forest. The population was 3,490 as of the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Macon County. Franklin is an official Appalachian Trail friendly destination...
|style="background:#ddffdd"|12
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|West end of US 64 overlap
|-
|style="background:#ddffdd"|14
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|East end of US 64 overlap
|-
|15.5
|
|
|
|-
|rowspan=5|Jackson
Jackson County, North Carolina
Jackson County is a county located in the southwest of the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2010, the population was 40,271. Since 1913 its county seat has been Sylva, replacing Webster.-History:...
|
|29
|
|
|
|-
|rowspan=2|Dillsboro
Dillsboro, North Carolina
Dillsboro is a town in Jackson County, North Carolina, United States. The town is a popular tourist location, at which visitors tend to stop on their way into the Great Smoky Mountains. The town of Sylva is located just one mile east of Dillsboro and is the county seat...
|32
|
|
|
|-
|style="background:#ddffdd"|32.5
|style="background:#ddffdd"|81*
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|North end of US 23 overlap, east end of US 74 overlap
|-
|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|40
|style="background:#ddffdd"|74*
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|West end of US 74 overlap
|-
|rowspan=3|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...
|44.5
|
|
|
|-
|rowspan=3|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...
|style="background:#ddffdd"|45
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|South end of US 19 overlap
|-
|style="background:#ddffdd"|45.5
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|
|style="background:#ddffdd"|North end of US 19 overlap
|-
|
|48
|
|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...
|
|-
Note – Exit numbers with an asterisk (*) are numbered by US 74.
Business loops
Currently, there are two U.S. Route 441 Business loops in North Carolina:- FranklinFranklin, North CarolinaFranklin is a town in Franklin Township, Macon County, North Carolina, United States, within the Nantahala National Forest. The population was 3,490 as of the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Macon County. Franklin is an official Appalachian Trail friendly destination...
– Established in 1974, this 2.7 miles (4.3 km) route goes through downtown Franklin, via Porter Street, Palmer Street, and Main Street.
- CherokeeCherokee, North CarolinaCherokee 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...
– Established in the 1980s, this 1.9 miles (3.1 km) route goes through downtown Cherokee, via Soco Road and Paint Town Road. It performs a wrong-way concurrency with US 19U.S. Route 19 in North CarolinaU.S. Route 19 in North Carolina traverses approximately 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...
.
See also
- Clingmans DomeClingmans DomeClingmans Dome is a mountain in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, in the southeastern United States. At an elevation of , it is the highest mountain in the Smokies, the highest point in the state of Tennessee, and the highest point along the Appalachian Trail...
- 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...
- 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...
- 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...