 North Carolina Highway 126 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Route information | ||||
| Maintained byNCDOT | ||||
| Length | 23.1 mi[1] (37.2 km) | |||
| Existed | 1940–present | |||
| Tourist routes |  Pisgah Loop Scenic Byway | |||
| Major junctions | ||||
| West end |  US 70 inNebo | |||
| East end |  NC 181 inMorganton | |||
| Location | ||||
| Country | United States | |||
| State | North Carolina | |||
| Counties | McDowell,Burke | |||
| Highway system | ||||
| ||||
North Carolina Highway 126 (NC 126) is a primarystate highway in theU.S. state ofNorth Carolina. It runs fromUS 70, inNebo, toNC 181, inMorganton.
NC 126 has changed little since it was established in 1940, thus the entire route has many curves as it bends aroundLake James. It serves primarily to connect the people that live on the north side ofLake James toMarion andMorganton; secondary as a scenic route and access toLake James State Park.
Pisgah Loop Scenic Byway is a 47-mile (76 km) loop byway. The route is not recommended for recreational vehicles or buses, and four-wheel-drive vehicles are required for unpaved portions. NC 126 makes up the southern section of the byway (5 miles (8.0 km)). It is noted for being part of the "Overmountain Victory Trail Commemorative Motor Route" and nearbyLake James State Park. Other roads and highways that make-up the loop are: Fish Hatchery Road (SR 1254 & 1240),NC 181,NC 183, and Old NC Highway 105 (SR 1238, the entire road is unpaved).[2]
In 1933, NC 126 was established betweenUS 258/NC 12, nearSnow Hill, toUS 17/NC 30Wilmar. It was quickly replaced by an extension ofNC 102.[3]
The current NC 126 was established in 1940 as a renumbering ofNC 105 from the community of Longtown[4] to the city of Morganton. In 1954, NC 126 was extended west, replacing NC 105's southern portion from Longtown to Nebo, while the northern section was decommissioned and exists today as unpaved road known as Old NC Highway 105.[3][5]
| County | Location | mi[1] | km | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McDowell | Nebo | 0.0 | 0.0 | US 70 –Marion,Morganton | Western terminus |
| Burke | Morganton | 23.1 | 37.2 | NC 181 –Linville,Newland | Eastern terminus |
| 1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi | |||||
