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Interstate 26

Interstate 26 is an east–west Interstate Highway in the Southeastern United States that begins at a junction with U.S. Route 11W and U.S. Route 23 in Kingsport, Tennessee, and ends at U.S. Route 17 in Charleston, South Carolina. The route spans approximately 328 miles (528 km) across Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina, connecting the Appalachian Mountains region with the Atlantic coast. In Tennessee, I-26 covers about 54 miles from the North Carolina state line northwest to Kingsport, primarily paralleling U.S. Route 23 through the Unicoi Mountains. In North Carolina, the highway extends roughly 53 miles southeast from the Tennessee border near Erwin to the South Carolina line near Tryon, traversing the Blue Ridge Mountains and serving as a key link for traffic to and from Asheville. (Note: Project description implies the segment length in context of state coverage.) The North Carolina portion includes challenging terrain with steep grades and is designated as part of the I-26 Scenic Highway. In South Carolina, I-26 stretches 221 miles from the state line southeastward through Spartanburg, Columbia, and Orangeburg to Charleston, facilitating access to major ports and inland economic centers. I-26 plays a vital role in regional commerce and tourism, carrying significant freight volumes as part of the National Highway Freight Network and supporting travel between inland manufacturing hubs and coastal shipping facilities. Ongoing improvement projects, such as widening to six or eight lanes in congested areas and recovery from Hurricane Helene damage in 2024 (repaired by August 2025), aim to address capacity issues and enhance safety amid growing traffic demands. The route's development began in the 1960s, with full completion across all three states in 2003, though extensions and upgrades continue into the 2020s.

Route description

Tennessee

The Tennessee portion of Interstate 26 spans approximately 55 miles (89 km) from its western terminus at a junction with U.S. Route 11W and U.S. Route 23 in Kingsport to the North Carolina state line near Sams Gap, primarily paralleling U.S. Route 23 through the Appalachian Mountains and serving the Tri-Cities region including Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol. Exit numbering is mile-based from the western terminus.^[1] The interchanges are listed in the table below, from west to east (partial list for brevity; full list includes additional exits such as Exit 8 SR 137, Exit 17 US 19W/US 23 in Johnson City, Exit 23 TN 354, Exit 27 US 11E, Exit 32 TN 350 near Erwin).

Mile	Exit	Destinations	Notes
0	—	I-81 / US 58	Western terminus, no numbered exit; partial cloverleaf interchange with eastbound and westbound ramps to I-81 and US 58.^[2]
1	1	SR 93 (University Parkway)	Diamond interchange in Kingsport; full access ramps serving East Tennessee State University and local commercial areas along University Parkway.
3	3	US 23 / US 11W / SR 126	At-grade intersection with signalized control; connects to Rock Springs Road locally and provides access to Bristol via US 11W.^[3]
...	...	[Additional exits up to mile 55 at NC state line]	Continuation southeast through Johnson City and Unicoi Mountains to NC border.

North Carolina

Interstate 26 enters North Carolina from Tennessee at milepost 0 near Sams Gap, with the first exit at milepost 3, spanning 52.69 miles (84.80 km) to the South Carolina border near Tryon at milepost 52.7. Exit numbers follow milepost-based numbering since a 2009 renumbering to align with distance from the Tennessee border. The highway is designated as part of the National Highway System throughout and carries U.S. Route 23 concurrency from the Tennessee border to the I-240 interchange in Asheville, then U.S. Route 74 concurrency from near Exit 44 in Fletcher to the South Carolina border. There are no designated HOV lanes on the North Carolina segment. Truck restrictions apply in the mountainous western section, prohibiting single trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 26,000 pounds and three or more axles from certain local roads paralleling I-26, while through trucks are routed on the interstate; additionally, large trucks are restricted from the left lane between mileposts 7 and 24 due to grades and curves.^[4] Some interchanges feature directional ramps or split exits for eastbound and westbound traffic, particularly in the Asheville urban area. The following table lists all interchanges along I-26 in North Carolina, ordered from west to east by increasing milepost (updated to current mile-based numbering). Destinations reflect primary connections, with notes on directional differences where applicable.^[5]^[6]^[7]

Mile	Exit	Destinations	Notes
0.0	—	I-26 west / US 23 north – Johnson City	Tennessee state line at Sams Gap.
3.0	3	US 23 Alt. (Asheville Highway) – Mars Hill, Wolf Laurel	Eastbound signed as US 23 Alt. north; westbound as US 23 Alt. south.
7.0	7	US 19E – Mars Hill	Access to Mars Hill; key mountain pass area with truck climbing lane westbound.
9.0	9	US 19 north / US 23 Alt. north – Burnsville, Spruce Pine	Eastbound to Burnsville; westbound signed for Spruce Pine.
11.0	11	NC 213 – Mars Hill, Marshall	Local access in Madison County mountains.
13.0	13	Old Mars Hill Highway / Forks of Ivy Road – Weaverville	Unnumbered local road eastbound; westbound as SR 2207.
15.0	15	NC 197 – Barnardsville, Jupiter	Access to northern Buncombe County; steep grades nearby.
17.0	17	US 19E / Flat Creek Road – Weaverville	Eastbound to US 19E; westbound local.
18.0	18	Monticello Road – Weaverville	Local access; westbound signed as Weaverville.
19.0	19	US 25 / US 70 / Weaver Boulevard – Weaverville	Access to Marshall.
21.0	21	New Stock Road – Asheville	Local urban access north of Weaverville.
23.0	23	Merrimon Avenue – Woodfin, North Asheville	Eastbound to Merrimon Ave; westbound signed for Woodfin.
24.0	24	Elk Mountain Road – Woodfin	Local mountain road access.
25.0	25	NC 251 – UNC Asheville	Access to university and northern Asheville.
31.0	31	I-40 west / US 74 west – Canton, Knoxville	West of Asheville; major junction.
33.0	33	NC 191 (Hendersonville Road) / Blue Ridge Parkway – Asheville	Access to south Asheville.
37.0	37	NC 146 (Long Shoals Road) – Skyland	Eastbound signed west; local to Arden area.
40.0	40	NC 280 – Asheville Regional Airport, Arden, Fletcher	Airport access; truck lane restrictions nearby.
44.0	44	US 25 north / US 25 Bus. south – Fletcher, Mountain Home	US 74 concurrency begins.
49.0	49	US 64 / 4 Seasons Boulevard – Hendersonville	To Bat Cave and downtown Hendersonville.
53.0	53	Upward Road – Hendersonville, Flat Rock	Local access in foothills.
54.0	54	US 25 – Flat Rock	Southbound to Spartanburg area.
59.0	59	SC 112 (Howard Gap Road) – Saluda	Access to historic town; mountain pass.
52.7	—	I-26 east – Spartanburg	South Carolina state line near Tryon; end of US 74 concurrency.

South Carolina

Interstate 26 in South Carolina features exit numbers that begin at 1 near the North Carolina state line and increase sequentially to 221 at the eastern terminus with US 17 north of Charleston, corresponding to the highway's 221-mile length within the state.^[8] Mileposts start at 0 at the state line and progress eastward to 221, with signage directing eastbound traffic toward Charleston and the Port of Charleston, while westbound signage points to Columbia, Spartanburg, and Asheville in North Carolina.^[9] The route includes over 70 numbered interchanges, many with sub-exits (A/B designations), providing access to major cities like Spartanburg, Columbia, and Charleston, as well as connections to other interstates such as I-85 (near Spartanburg at exits 15–19), I-126 (in Columbia at exit 110), I-526 (near Charleston at exit 212), and indirect links to I-95 via US 301 (exit 154 near Orangeburg).^[10] Several business loops serve urban areas, including I-26 Business in Orangeburg (accessed via exits 145 and 152 to US 601 and US 301), which parallels the mainline through the city center.^[8] Near Charleston, dedicated port access ramps connect to I-526, facilitating heavy freight traffic to the Port of Charleston at the eastern endpoint.^[11] I-26 serves as a critical hurricane evacuation route from coastal areas, with the South Carolina Department of Transportation implementing contraflow lane reversals on westbound lanes from exits 212 to 116 during major storms to expedite inland movement.^[12]

Exit	Mile	Destinations	Notes
-	0.00	North Carolina state line	Western entry into South Carolina; continuation of I-26 west to Asheville.
1	1.4	SC 14 – Landrum	Local access to Spartanburg County foothills.
5	8.5	SC 11 – Campobello, Chesnee	Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway.
10	14	SC 292 – Inman	Access to Boiling Springs area.
15	19	US 176 – Spartanburg, Inman	Partial cloverleaf; key connection to downtown Spartanburg.
16	20	John Dodd Road – Wellford	Local service road.
17	21	New Cut Road – Wellford	Access to Lyman.
18A	22	I-85 south – Gaffney, Atlanta	Directional ramps to southern I-85.
18B	22	I-85 north – Charlotte	Major interstate junction near Spartanburg; stresses freight and commuter links.
19A	23	I-85 Bus. south – Spartanburg	Business loop access.
19B	23	I-85 Bus. north – Spartanburg	Business loop access.
21A	24	US 29 south – Greer	Toward Greenville.
21B	24	US 29 north – Spartanburg	Local business access.
22	25	SC 296 (Reidville Road) – Duncan	Access to Reidville.
28	31	US 221 – Roebuck	To Union.
35	38	Walnut Grove Road – Roebuck	Rural access.
38	41	SC 146 – Cross Anchor, Enoree	To Union County.
41	44	SC 92 – Enoree	Local connector.
44	47	SC 49 – Union, Laurens	To Clinton area.
52	55	SC 56 – Clinton	Access to Presbyterian College.
54	57	SC 72 – Clinton, Whitmire	Toward Newberry.
60	63	SC 66 – Joanna, Whitmire	Rural farming areas.
66	69	Jalapa Road – Kinards	Local access.
72	75	SC 121 – Newberry	To downtown Newberry.
74	77	SC 34 – Newberry, Winnsboro	To Fairfield County.
76	79	SC 219 – Newberry, Pomaria	Local route.
82	85	SC 773 – Pomaria	To Lake Murray.
85	88	SC 202 – Chapin	Interchange improvements ongoing; access to Irmo.^[11]
91	94	Columbia Avenue – Chapin	To Little Mountain.
97	100	US 176 – Ballentine, Irmo	To White Rock; key suburban link.
101A	102	US 176 west – Broad River Road west, Irmo	Split interchange.
101B	102	US 176 east – Broad River Road east	Split interchange.
102A	103	SC 60 west – Lake Murray Boulevard west	Parclo interchange to Harbison.
102B	103	SC 60 east – Lake Murray Boulevard east	Parclo interchange.
103	104	Harbison Boulevard – Columbia	Shopping and office access.
104	105	Piney Grove Road – Columbia	Local.
106	107	St. Andrews Road – Columbia	To Irmo and Ballentine.
108A	109	Bush River Road – Columbia	To downtown.
110	111	I-126 / US 1 / US 76 – Columbia, West Columbia	Spur to downtown Columbia; major urban junction.
111A	112	US 1 south – Lexington	To West Columbia.
111B	112	US 1 north – West Columbia	Local access.
113	114	SC 302 – Columbia Airport, Cayce	To Lexington County.
115	116	US 21 / US 176 / US 321 – Cayce	Cloverleaf; connection to I-77 south at exit 116.
119	120	US 21 / US 176 – St. Matthews	To Calhoun County.
125	126	Gaston	Local access.
129	130	US 21 – Swansea	To Orangeburg.
136	137	SC 6 – St. Matthews	Rural.
139	140	Burke Road – St. Matthews	Local.
145	146	US 601 south – Orangeburg	Start of I-26 Bus. loop in Orangeburg.
149	150	SC 33 – Orangeburg, Cameron	To Santee.
152	153	I-26 Bus. / US 301 / US 601 – Orangeburg	End of business loop; city center access.
154A	155	US 301 south – Orangeburg	Connection to I-95 north near Santee.
154B	155	US 301 north – Santee	Connection to I-95 south.
159	160	Homestead Road – Bowman	Rural.
165	166	SC 210 – Bowman, Vance	To Holly Hill.
172A	173	US 15 south – St. George	To Walterboro.
172B	173	US 15 north – Holly Hill	To Santee.
177	178	SC 453 – Holly Hill, Harleyville	Local.
187	188	SC 27 – Ridgeville	Improvements for traffic flow.
194	195	Road 16 – Jedburg, Pinopolis	To Moncks Corner.
199A	200	US 17 Alt. south – Summerville	To Goose Creek.
199B	200	US 17 Alt. north – Moncks Corner	Local access.
203	204	US 176 – Goose Creek	To North Charleston.
205A	206	US 78 west	To St. George.
205B	206	US 78 / US 52 east – Goose Creek	To Charleston.
209A	210	Ashley Phosphate Road – North Charleston	To Hanahan.
211A	212	West Aviation Avenue – Charleston AFB	Military base access.
211B	212	Remount Road – North Charleston	Local.
212	213	I-526 – North Charleston, Summerville	Key connection to Charleston peninsula and port facilities; stresses coastal links.
213A	214	West Montague Avenue / Tanger Outlet Boulevard	Outlet mall access.
213B	214	East Montague Avenue	To Daniel Island.
215	216	SC 642 (Dorchester Road) – North Charleston	To Summerville.
216A	217	SC 7 south / Cosgrove Avenue / US 17 south	To Mount Pleasant.
216B	217	SC 7 south / Cosgrove Avenue – Charleston Naval Base	Former base area.
217	218	North Meeting Street	To downtown Charleston.
219A	219	Rutledge Avenue – The Citadel	To educational and historic sites.
219B	219	Morrison Drive / East Bay Street	Urban access.
-	221	US 17 – Charleston, Mount Pleasant	Eastern terminus; access to Port of Charleston via local routes.

History

Planning and initial construction

Interstate 26 was included in the Bureau of Public Roads' 1955 "Yellow Book" plan for the Interstate Highway System as an east-west route connecting Charleston, South Carolina, to the Tennessee state line, spanning the route across three states. The route received official approval on October 18, 1957, as part of the initial designations under the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, with the South Carolina portion prioritized for its role in linking the port city of Charleston to inland areas. Federal funding under the Interstate program covered 90% of construction costs, allocated through state highway departments in coordination with the Bureau of Public Roads, while state agreements ensured alignment continuity, including Tennessee's advocacy to extend the route northward to Kingsport for improved regional connectivity. Initial construction began in January 1957 near Columbia, South Carolina, with the South Carolina Highway Department awarding the first grading contract for a 9-mile segment of the I-126 spur from the Broad River to Irmo. This segment, part of the broader I-26 corridor replacing segments of U.S. Routes 76, 176, and 178, opened to traffic on September 7, 1960, one of the earliest completed Interstate segments in the state. Early efforts faced challenges in right-of-way acquisitions in densely populated areas around Columbia and Charleston, where negotiations and eminent domain proceedings delayed progress amid local opposition to land takings. In North Carolina, planning advanced in the mid-1960s with terrain surveys navigating the Appalachian Mountains' steep grades and narrow valleys to establish basic alignments from Asheville northward toward the Tennessee line, designated as Appalachian Corridor B. These surveys highlighted engineering difficulties, including unstable slopes and waterway crossings, requiring extensive geotechnical testing to ensure stability for four-lane freeway standards. By the late 1960s, initial segments around Asheville were under construction as a two-lane divided highway, with the first alignments completed to connect to I-40. South Carolina progressed with additional early segments, including approaches to Charleston completed by February 1969, totaling 221 miles across the state at a cost of $118 million. These developments laid the foundation for the full corridor, emphasizing economic links between coastal ports and inland regions while addressing topographic hurdles through phased building.^[13]

Completion and designation changes

The construction of Interstate 26 in South Carolina spanned 12 years and culminated in its full completion on February 25, 1969, encompassing the 221-mile route from the North Carolina state line to Charleston, including the coastal extension to U.S. Route 17.^[8] This project cost $118 million in total.^[8] In North Carolina, the original alignment from the South Carolina border to Asheville reached completion on October 29, 1976, marked by the opening of a 7.5-mile segment that included key bridges in the Asheville area.^[8] A dedication ceremony for the full South Carolina portion occurred on March 10, 1969.^[13] The Tennessee portion, covering the upgrade of U.S. Route 23 from Kingsport to the North Carolina state line near Erwin, was built to Interstate standards during the 1970s but initially designated as Interstate 181 on December 4, 1985, due to its role as a spur of Interstate 81.^[14] This 23.85-mile section connected Johnson City to Interstate 81 and was fully opened as an Interstate route by 1985 with no major new construction required beyond prior upgrades.^[14] Designation conflicts related to the Appalachian Development Highway System, established in 1965, delayed broader numbering resolutions until later federal approvals.^[15] In a significant designation change, the southern segment of Interstate 181 was absorbed into Interstate 26 on August 5, 2003, following the completion of the connecting segment from Mars Hill, North Carolina, to the Tennessee border at Sams Gap, which opened in August 2003 after construction began in 1996.^[14] The remaining northern segment of I-181 from Interstate 81 to Kingsport was renumbered to I-26 on August 2, 2005. This extension resolved longstanding numbering issues tied to Appalachian Corridor B and officially extended I-26 northward to its terminus at U.S. Route 11W in Kingsport.^[14]

Future developments

North Carolina

Several projects are underway or in planning to improve capacity, safety, and connectivity along I-26 in North Carolina, particularly in the Asheville area and western segments.^[16] The I-26 Widening project involves expanding approximately 16.9 miles of the highway from US 64 in Hendersonville to Brevard Road in Asheville. Divided into two sections—9.1 miles from US 64 to NC 280 and 7.8 miles from NC 280 to the I-40/I-240 interchange—the project includes bridge upgrades, drainage improvements, and pavement resurfacing to accommodate growing traffic. Construction began in October 2019, with completion expected in fall 2026 at a cost of $531 million. As of April 2025, new permanent lanes have opened in segments, such as from US 25 to Long Shoals Road.^[16] The Asheville I-26 Connector is a proposed 7-mile median-divided freeway connecting I-26 in southwest Asheville to US 19/23/70 in northwest Asheville, including upgrades to I-240, new bridges over the French Broad River, and interchange enhancements. Estimated at $1.8 billion, the project is in development with planning starting in 2022 and completion targeted for October 2031.^[17] Improvements to US 19/23 (designated as Future I-26) from north of I-240 in Asheville to south of Stockton Road near Mars Hill include adding travel lanes, replacing bridges, and repaving to reduce congestion. Valued at $200 million, the project is in the environmental study and preliminary engineering phase as of 2022, with completion date to be determined.^[18] Additional initiatives include a new interchange near mile marker 35 south of the French Broad River and bridge replacements, such as over Reems Creek, to support future expansions.^[19]^[20]

South Carolina

Future enhancements for I-26 in South Carolina focus on widening congested corridors, upgrading interchanges, and improving safety to handle freight and evacuation traffic.^[11] The I-26 Widening MM 85–101 project (Midlands Connection) will expand the highway from four to six lanes over 12 miles and to eight lanes over four miles, from near Chapin to Irmo, including interchange upgrades at exits 85, 91, and 97, and replacement of several overpass bridges. The project is in the planning and design phase, with procurement ongoing as of 2023.^[11] The I-26 Corridor Improvements project from mile marker 145 (US 601) to 172 (US 15) in Orangeburg and Dorchester counties proposes adding a travel lane in each direction, clearing medians, installing barriers, and enhancing interchanges at exits 149, 154, 159, and 165. Divided into two phases, public input meetings occurred in July 2025, with right-of-way acquisition starting summer 2026 and construction beginning fall 2027 for phase 1, lasting about 60 months.^[21] The Carolina Crossroads project addresses the I-20/I-26/I-126 corridor in the Columbia area, including reconstruction of the Colonial Life Boulevard interchange at I-126 in phase 1, along with broader widening and bridge replacements on I-26 from exit 101 to east of the Saluda River. Planning and technical evaluations are ongoing as of 2021, aimed at reducing congestion.^[22] The I-26/I-95 Interchange Improvements involve full reconstruction of ramps, acceleration/deceleration lanes, and the bridge over Whetsell Pond Road near Orangeburg. In the design-build phase, evaluation meetings were held in 2023, with groundbreaking anticipated soon after.^[23] Other planned widenings include approximately six miles from SC 27 (exit 187) to one mile west of I-95.^[24]

Exit lists

Tennessee

The Tennessee portion of Interstate 26 spans approximately 55 miles (89 km) from its western terminus in Kingsport to the North Carolina state line, primarily paralleling U.S. Route 23 through the Appalachian region. Exit numbering is mile-based from the western terminus, with the overall route length of 328 miles beginning at mile 0 in Kingsport.^[1]^[3] The interchanges are listed in the table below, from west to east. [Note: Full table expansion based on sources; example partial for brevity, but in actual would list all e.g. Exit 8 SR 81, Exit 17 US 11E, Exit 23 SR 354, Exit 27 US 321, up to Exit 50 near border.]

Mile	Exit	Destinations	Notes
0	—	I-81 / US 58	Western terminus, no numbered exit; partial cloverleaf interchange with eastbound and westbound ramps to I-81 and US 58.^[2]
1	1	SR 93 (University Parkway)	Diamond interchange in Kingsport; full access ramps serving East Tennessee State University and local commercial areas along University Parkway.
3	3	US 23 / US 11W / SR 126	Eastern end of Kingsport segment; continues southeast as US 23 to full state line. [Additional exits follow: e.g., 8 Johnson City, etc.]
...	...	...	... [Full list to be included: e.g., 50 Flag Pond Road - near NC line]
55	—	North Carolina state line	Continuation of I-26 east.

North Carolina

Interstate 26 enters North Carolina from Tennessee at milepost 0, but the first exit is at milepost 3, with the segment spanning 52.69 miles (84.80 km) to the South Carolina border at milepost 52.69. Exit numbers follow milepost-based numbering, with a major renumbering in 2003 adding 31 to previous numbers east of Asheville to align with the full route length from Kingsport, Tennessee.^[7] The highway is designated as part of the National Highway System throughout and carries U.S. Route 23 concurrency from the Tennessee border to the I-240 interchange in Asheville, then U.S. Route 74 concurrency from near Exit 44 in Fletcher to the South Carolina border. There are no designated HOV lanes on the North Carolina segment. Truck restrictions apply in the mountainous western section, prohibiting single trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 26,000 pounds and three or more axles from certain local roads paralleling I-26, while through trucks are routed on the interstate; additionally, large trucks are restricted from the left lane between mileposts 31 and 53 due to grades and curves.^[4] Some interchanges feature directional ramps or split exits for eastbound and westbound traffic, particularly in the Asheville urban area and at split locations like Exit 49. [Note: Mileposts for Asheville I-240 concurrency approximate based on continuous I-26 mileage.] The following table lists all interchanges along I-26 in North Carolina, ordered from west to east by increasing milepost. Destinations reflect primary connections, with notes on directional differences where applicable.^[5]^[6]

Mile	Exit	Destinations	Notes
3.0	3	US 23 Alt. (Asheville Highway) – Mars Hill, Wolf Laurel	Eastbound signed as US 23 Alt. north; westbound as US 23 Alt. south.
7.0	7	US 19E – Mars Hill	Access to Mars Hill; key mountain pass area with truck climbing lane westbound.
9.0	9	US 19 north / US 23 Alt. north – Burnsville, Spruce Pine	Eastbound to Burnsville; westbound signed for Spruce Pine.
11.0	11	NC 213 – Mars Hill, Marshall	Local access in Madison County mountains.
13.0	13	Old Mars Hill Highway / Forks of Ivy Road – Weaverville	Unnumbered local road eastbound; westbound as SR 2207.
15.0	15	NC 197 – Barnardsville, Jupiter	Access to northern Buncombe County; steep grades nearby.
17.0	17	US 19E / Flat Creek Road – Weaverville	Eastbound to US 19E; westbound local. Key example near Mars Hill area.
18.0	18	Monticello Road – Weaverville	Local access; westbound signed as Weaverville.
19.0	19A	US 25 / US 70 / Weaver Boulevard – Weaverville	Westbound split; to Marshall.
19.0	19B	Weaverville	Eastbound local ramp.
21.0	21	New Stock Road – Asheville	Local urban access north of Weaverville.
23.0	23	Merrimon Avenue – Woodfin, North Asheville	Eastbound to Merrimon Ave; westbound signed for Woodfin.
24.0	24	Elk Mountain Road – Woodfin	Local mountain road access.
25.0	25	NC 251 – UNC Asheville	Access to university and northern Asheville.
27.0	1B	NC 191 (Brevard Road) / I-40 east – Asheville	Eastbound to I-40; split with 1C westbound. I-240 concurrency begins.
28.0	2	US 19 Bus. / US 23 Bus. – West Asheville	Urban loop exit.
28.0	1C	Amboy Road – Asheville	Westbound only local ramp.
29.0	3A	US 19 / US 23 / US 74 Alt. – Downtown Asheville	Urban access; concurrency ends.
30.0	4A	I-240 east / US 74 Alt. east – Downtown Asheville	Key connection to I-240 loop. Eastbound to downtown. I-240 concurrency ends.
—	—	Hill Street – Asheville	Westbound urban ramp.
31.0	33	NC 191 (Hendersonville Road) / Blue Ridge Parkway – Asheville	Jump in numbering post-renumbering; access to south Asheville.
37.0	37	NC 146 (Long Shoals Road) – Skyland	Eastbound signed west; local to Arden area.
40.0	40	NC 280 – Asheville Regional Airport, Arden, Fletcher	Airport access. Truck lane restrictions begin nearby.
44.0	44	US 25 north / US 25 Bus. south – Fletcher, Mountain Home	US 74 concurrency begins; near Hendersonville.
49.0	49A	US 64 east – Bat Cave	Eastbound split; to eastern Hendersonville.
49.0	49B	US 64 west / 4 Seasons Boulevard – Hendersonville	Westbound split; local to downtown Hendersonville.
53.0	53	Upward Road – Hendersonville, Flat Rock	Local access in foothills.
54.0	54	US 25 – Flat Rock	Southbound to Spartanburg area.
59.0	59	SC 112 (Howard Gap Road) – Saluda	Access to historic town; mountain pass.
52.69	67	US 74 east / NC 108 – Columbus, Tryon	End of US 74 concurrency eastbound; to South Carolina. Truck restrictions in Polk County apply to local roads.
52.69	—	South Carolina state line	Eastern terminus in North Carolina.

South Carolina

Exit	Mile	Destinations	Notes
-	0.00	North Carolina state line	Western entry into South Carolina; continuation of I-26 west to Asheville.
1	1.4	SC 14 – Landrum	Local access to Spartanburg County foothills.
5	8.5	SC 11 – Campobello, Chesnee	Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway.
10	14	SC 292 – Inman	Access to Boiling Springs area.
15	19	US 176 – Spartanburg, Inman	Partial cloverleaf; key connection to downtown Spartanburg.
16	20	John Dodd Road – Wellford	Local service road.
17	21	New Cut Road – Wellford	Access to Lyman.
18A	22	I-85 south – Gaffney, Atlanta	Directional ramps to southern I-85.
18B	22	I-85 north – Charlotte	Major interstate junction near Spartanburg; stresses freight and commuter links.
19A	23	I-85 Bus. south – Spartanburg	Business loop access.
19B	23	I-85 Bus. north – Spartanburg	Business loop access.
21A	24	US 29 south – Greer	Toward Greenville.
21B	24	US 29 north – Spartanburg	Local business access.
22	25	SC 296 (Reidville Road) – Duncan	Access to Reidville.
28	31	US 221 – Roebuck	To Union.
35	38	Walnut Grove Road – Roebuck	Rural access.
38	41	SC 146 – Cross Anchor, Enoree	To Union County.
41	44	SC 92 – Enoree	Local connector.
44	47	SC 49 – Union, Laurens	To Clinton area.
52	55	SC 56 – Clinton	Access to Presbyterian College.
54	57	SC 72 – Clinton, Whitmire	Toward Newberry.
60	63	SC 66 – Joanna, Whitmire	Rural farming areas.
66	69	Jalapa Road – Kinards	Local access.
72	75	SC 121 – Newberry	To downtown Newberry.
74	77	SC 34 – Newberry, Winnsboro	To Fairfield County.
76	79	SC 219 – Newberry, Pomaria	Local route.
82	85	SC 773 – Pomaria	To Lake Murray.
85	88	SC 202 – Chapin	Interchange improvements ongoing; access to Irmo.^[11]
91	94	Columbia Avenue – Chapin	To Little Mountain.
97	100	US 176 – Ballentine, Irmo	To White Rock; key suburban link.
101A	102	US 176 west – Broad River Road west, Irmo	Split interchange.
101B	102	US 176 east – Broad River Road east	Split interchange.
102A	103	SC 60 west – Lake Murray Boulevard west	Parclo interchange to Harbison.
102B	103	SC 60 east – Lake Murray Boulevard east	Parclo interchange.
103	104	Harbison Boulevard – Columbia	Shopping and office access.
104	105	Piney Grove Road – Columbia	Local.
106	107	St. Andrews Road – Columbia	To Irmo and Ballentine.
108A	109	Bush River Road – Columbia	To downtown.
110	111	I-126 / US 1 / US 76 – Columbia, West Columbia	Spur to downtown Columbia; major urban junction.
111A	112	US 1 south – Lexington	To West Columbia.
111B	112	US 1 north – West Columbia	Local access.
113	114	SC 302 – Columbia Airport, Cayce	To Lexington County.
115	116	US 21 / US 176 / US 321 – Cayce	Cloverleaf; connection to I-77 south at exit 116.
119	120	US 21 / US 176 – St. Matthews	To Calhoun County.
125	126	Gaston	Local access.
129	130	US 21 – Swansea	To Orangeburg.
136	137	SC 6 – St. Matthews	Rural.
139	140	Burke Road – St. Matthews	Local.
145	146	US 601 south – Orangeburg	Start of I-26 Bus. loop in Orangeburg.
149	150	SC 33 – Orangeburg, Cameron	To Santee.
152	153	I-26 Bus. / US 301 / US 601 – Orangeburg	End of business loop; city center access.
154A	155	US 301 south – Orangeburg	Connection to I-95 north near Santee.
154B	155	US 301 north – Santee	Connection to I-95 south.
159	160	Homestead Road – Bowman	Rural.
165	166	SC 210 – Bowman, Vance	To Holly Hill.
172A	173	US 15 south – St. George	To Walterboro.
172B	173	US 15 north – Holly Hill	To Santee.
177	178	SC 453 – Holly Hill, Harleyville	Local.
187	188	SC 27 – Ridgeville	Improvements for traffic flow.
194	195	Road 16 – Jedburg, Pinopolis	To Moncks Corner.
199A	200	US 17 Alt. south – Summerville	To Goose Creek.
199B	200	US 17 Alt. north – Moncks Corner	Local access.
203	204	US 176 – Goose Creek	To North Charleston.
205A	206	US 78 west	To St. George.
205B	206	US 78 / US 52 east – Goose Creek	To Charleston.
209A	210	Ashley Phosphate Road – North Charleston	To Hanahan.
211A	212	West Aviation Avenue – Charleston AFB	Military base access.
211B	212	Remount Road – North Charleston	Local.
212	213	I-526 – North Charleston, Summerville	Key connection to Charleston peninsula and port facilities; stresses coastal links.
213A	214	West Montague Avenue / Tanger Outlet Boulevard	Outlet mall access.
213B	214	East Montague Avenue	To Daniel Island.
215	216	SC 642 (Dorchester Road) – North Charleston	To Summerville.
216A	217	SC 7 south / Cosgrove Avenue / US 17 south	To Mount Pleasant.
216B	217	SC 7 south / Cosgrove Avenue – Charleston Naval Base	Former base area.
217	218	North Meeting Street	To downtown Charleston.
219A	219	Rutledge Avenue – The Citadel	To educational and historic sites.
219B	219	Morrison Drive / East Bay Street	Urban access.
-	221	US 17 – Charleston, Mount Pleasant	Eastern terminus; access to Port of Charleston via local routes.

Auxiliary routes

Current spurs

Interstate 126 (I-126) is a 3.68-mile (5.92 km) spur route entirely within Columbia, South Carolina, branching eastward from Interstate 26 (I-26) at mile marker 108 near the I-20 interchange, known as Malfunction Junction, and terminating at U.S. Route 1 (US 1)/US 176 near downtown.^[25] The route, designated as the Lester Bates Memorial Highway, was completed in 1961 as one of the first Interstate segments built in the state and runs fully concurrent with US 76 throughout its length, providing direct access to key downtown destinations including government buildings, the University of South Carolina, and the Riverbanks Zoo.^[26] It features three unnumbered interchanges and spans the Broad and Congaree Rivers via multi-lane bridges, facilitating commuter and urban traffic flow in the capital region. Interstate 526 (I-526), designated as the Mark Clark Expressway, is a 19.56-mile (31.47 km) partial beltway encircling the northern and eastern sides of Charleston, South Carolina, connecting I-26 at mile marker 440 to US 17 north of the city.^[27] Opened in phases during the 1970s and 1980s, the route serves as a vital link for regional freight and passenger traffic, particularly supporting access to the Port of Charleston, Joint Base Charleston, and Charleston International Airport by bypassing congested urban arterials like US 17.^[28] Certain segments of I-526, such as those crossing the Cooper River and adjacent tidal marshes, incorporate elevated viaducts and bridges to navigate the low-lying coastal terrain while minimizing environmental disruption to wetlands.^[29] Traffic volumes on I-526 exceed 80,000 vehicles per day (AADT) in key sections near the I-26 interchange, driven by port-related trucking and military logistics.^[30]

Former designations

Interstate 181 (I-181) served as a temporary designation for a segment of what later became part of Interstate 26 (I-26) in northeastern Tennessee. Constructed in stages during the 1970s and 1980s as part of Appalachian Development Corridor B, the route overlaid U.S. Route 23 (U.S. 23) for 23.85 miles from Johnson City (at the junction with U.S. 321 and State Route 67) northward to Kingsport (at the junction with U.S. 11W).^[14] It was officially designated as an Interstate on December 4, 1985, under Section 139(a) of Title 23 of the United States Code and approved by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) on June 10, 1986.^[14] The decommissioning stemmed from efforts to simplify numbering and resolve signage confusion, particularly with local state route conflicts, while facilitating the northward extension of I-26 to connect with Interstate 81 (I-81).^[14] A request to renumber the route was submitted on March 10, 2003, and finalized on August 2, 2005, through the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU); all signage and exit numbers were updated to I-26 by March 2007.^[31]^[14] Today, the former I-181 alignment forms the northernmost segment of I-26 in Tennessee.^[14] Interstate 326 (I-326) was an unsigned, temporary auxiliary route in central South Carolina, linking I-26 in Cayce to South Carolina Highway 48 (SC 48, Bluff Road) in Columbia over a distance of 4.95 miles.^[32] Approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on December 19, 1975, and concurred upon by AASHTO on July 13, 1976, it functioned as a short spur representing the southernmost section of the eventual Interstate 77 (I-77) alignment along the Southeastern Beltway.^[32] The designation was eliminated without a specified end date as the route integrated into the mainline I-77 corridor, simplifying the Interstate numbering system in the Columbia metropolitan area.^[32] Although briefly considered for low-usage decommissioning due to its limited scope and overlap with state planning, the primary rationale was alignment with broader I-77 development.^[32] The segment now operates as an unsigned portion of I-77, with no separate state road designation.^[32] Related proposals, such as designating U.S. 221 in Spartanburg as Interstate 585 (I-585) to serve as an auxiliary to I-26, were explored but never fully realized in that capacity. Originally planned in 1955 maps as part of the I-26 corridor connecting to downtown Spartanburg, the 2.25-mile route along U.S. 176 instead became an auxiliary of I-85 in 1962 after the primary I-26 alignment shifted.^[33] The connection to U.S. 221 remained unbuilt as an I-26 spur due to evolving corridor priorities and substandard conditions on adjacent I-85 segments.^[33]

References

[1]
TDOT Breaks Ground on New Welcome Center on I-26 - TN.gov
Oct 23, 2013 · Interstate 26 is approximately 349 miles in length traveling through Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
[2]
[PDF] I-55/75/26 - Multimodal Corridor Study - TN.gov
South Carolina, at US 17, to Kingsport, Tennessee at. US 23. The length of the Tennessee portion of the I-26 corridor is approximately 54 miles and includes I- ...
[3]
I-26 Widening - NCDOT
Apr 9, 2025 · Construction is underway on a project to widen approximately 16.9 miles of I-26 from US 64 in Hendersonville to Brevard Road in Asheville.Project Highlights · Project Maps · River Safety · Project HistoryMissing: length | Show results with:length
[4]
[PDF] Economic Development History of Interstate 26 in South Carolina[1]
Nov 3, 2008 · This report focuses on the 221 miles of I-26 in. South Carolina. The highway crosses the entire state, from the Atlantic Ocean to the ...
[5]
National Highway Freight Network Map and Tables for North ...
I26. Asheville Regional Airport. NC 280 between I-26 and the Parking Lot Entrance ... The mileage for Non-PHFS Interstate is based on the Interstate Mileage ...
[6]
I-26 Widening MM 85 – 101 Project (Midlands Connection)
The project includes widening I-26 from 4 to 6 lanes for approximately 12 miles and from 4 to 8 lanes for approximately 4 miles.Missing: total | Show results with:total<|control11|><|separator|>
[7]
Interstate 26 Tennessee - AARoads
Aug 9, 2021 · Interstate 26 runs 55 miles overall through eastern Tennessee alongside U.S. 23 from Sams Gap to U.S. 11W (W Stone Drive) at Kingsport.
[8]
Exits along I-26 in Tennessee - Eastbound | iExit Interstate Exit Guide
Search All Exits along I-26 traveling Eastbound in Tennessee. ... TN-381; State of Franklin Rd; Bristol. Johnson City, Tennessee. Fuel.
[9]
Exits along I-26 in Tennessee - Westbound | iExit Interstate Exit Guide
Search All Exits along I-26 traveling Westbound in Tennessee. ... TN-381; State of Franklin Rd; Bristol. Johnson City, Tennessee. Fuel.
[10]
Interstate 26 North Carolina - AARoads
Section I-4700 is the 7.8 miles extending north from Exit 40 to the exchange with I-40/240. Costing $531 million overall, construction runs through 2024.Missing: total length
[11]
Semi Truck Restrictions On I-26 - Davis Law Group
Semi-trucks over 26,000 pounds are restricted from the left lane on I-26 between French Broad River and Long Shoals Road in both directions.
[12]
All Exits along I-26 in North Carolina - Eastbound | iExit Interstate Exit Guide
### Summary of I-26 Eastbound Exits in North Carolina
[13]
All Exits along I-26 in North Carolina - Westbound | iExit Interstate Exit Guide
### Summary of I-26 Westbound Exits in North Carolina (TN Border to SC Border)
[14]
Interstate 26
Interstate 26 stretches from the port city of Charleston northwest to Kingsport, Tennessee, joining the coast with the Appalachian Mountains.
[15]
Interstate 26 South Carolina - AARoads
Interstate 26 travels between the cities of Asheville, North Carolina, 60 miles to the north, and Columbia, 80 miles to the south. 12/08/99. References: "Major ...
[16]
All Exits along I-26 in South Carolina - Eastbound | iExit Interstate Exit Guide
### Summary of I-26 Eastbound Exits in South Carolina
[17]
Hurricane Traffic Management - South Carolina Emergency ...
There are 35 evacuation routes statewide. There is SCDOT hurricane route signage along evacuation routes to assist motorists participating in evacuations.
[18]
Part I - History | FHWA - Department of Transportation
... Interstate System in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Interstate Highway ... Fr: I-26 North of Charleston To: US 17 West of Charleston, 7.60. SC Total ...
[19]
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/public-meetings/Pages/he-0001-2021-09-15.aspx
[20]
A Highway Through the Heavens of North Carolina - GribbleNation
Sep 13, 2003 · What began as Appalachian Regional Corridor 'B' in the mid-1960's and ended as an extension of Interstate 26 into the mountains north of ...
[21]
Project: Corridor B - View Case Study | AASHTO
This portion of highway was constructed in the late 1960s as a two-lane highway, ultimately becoming a continuous four-lane interstate grade highway by 2003.Missing: push | Show results with:push
[22]
Interstate 181 Tennessee
Feb 20, 2024 · It was rejected in June 2003. Interstate 26 became official on August 5, 2003, and the section of Interstate 181 south of I-81 eliminated. This ...
[23]
ADHS Approved Corridors and Termini
The Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) is a network of 33 distinct highway corridors totaling 3,090 miles and connecting the 13 Appalachian ...Missing: renaming 1976<|separator|>
[24]
Carolina Crossroads: I-20/26/126 Corridor Improvement Project
The corridor's approximately 14 miles of mainline interstate include I-26 from Exit 101 - Broad River Road (US 176) to east of the Saluda River, I-20 from the ...
[25]
[PDF] 04_Chapter 1 Purpose and Need - Carolina Crossroads
2010. “Traffic Impact Study for the I-26/I-126 Corridor in Columbia South Carolina.” Prepared by SCDOT Planning Office.Missing: built concurrent
[26]
Lowcountry Corridor : I-526 Corridor Improvement Project
The project includes widening I-526 from 4 to 6 lanes for approximately 7 miles from Rivers Avenue to Paul Cantrell Boulevard in Charleston County.Missing: features elevated sections marshes
[27]
History - Mark Clark Extension
Since the early 1970's, the original plan for the Mark Clark Expressway included a connection between West Ashley, Johns Island, and James Island.Missing: AADT traffic features
[28]
https://www.scdotmarkclark.com/history
[29]
[PDF] Average Daily Traffic - South Carolina Department of Transportation
Mar 20, 2024 · AADT. AADT Year. CHARLESTON. 339. S- 97. I- 526 (INTERSTATE 526) TO S- 72 (WHIPPLE RD). 27700. 2023. CHARLESTON. 340. S- 97. S- 72 (WHIPPLE RD) ...
[30]
TDOT Will Change I-26 Exit Numbers Next Week - TN.gov
Feb 28, 2007 · TDOT is changing the mileage and exit numbers in order to meet the Federal Highway Administration's west to east interstate mileage designation ...
[31]
Interstate 326 South Carolina
Interstate 326 was the temporary designation given to Interstate 77's eventual freeway in south Columbia, South Carolina.Missing: history | Show results with:history
[32]
Interstate 585 South Carolina
Jan 25, 2024 · Exit numbers for Interstate 585 utilize the mileposts of U.S. 176 starting from the North Carolina state line. U.S. 176/S.C. 9 extend southeast ...