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Highway 226: Marion to Spruce Pine, Blue Ridge, North Carolina
Photo: The ed17 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

Drives North Carolina Asheville and the Blue Ridge

Highway 226: Marion to Spruce Pine

NC 226, US 221 · Marion → Spruce Pine

Sweeping19.9 mi35 min2,300 ft climbHigh point ≈ 2,800 ftOne way
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The drive

NC 226 leaves I-40 at exit 86 in Marion and runs with US 221 on a four-lane bypass. At Woodlawn it splits away and follows Cox Creek, a shorter route with fewer curves than the older Etchoe Pass Road (NC 226A), which has many hairpins. The two rejoin at Gillespie Gap.

At Gillespie Gap, NC 226 passes under the Blue Ridge Parkway and crosses the Eastern Continental Divide into Mitchell County. It then passes Grassy Creek and reaches Spruce Pine.

The drive is about 20 miles.

Along the way

  1. Marion
  2. Spruce Pine
Elevation
2,300 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 2,800 ft
MarionSpruce Pine
Curves
Mostly gentle, with two twisty stretches
MarionSpruce Pine
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The steep grade requires trucks to descend slowly, and a runaway truck ramp is along the road.
  • NC 226 and Spruce Pine were damaged by Helene; check DriveNC for current status.
  • The Blue Ridge Parkway has its own closures.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check DriveNC (NCDOT).

Questions about this drive

How long is NC 226 from Marion to Spruce Pine?

It is 19.9 miles and takes about 35 minutes.

What is Gillespie Gap?

Gillespie Gap is where NC 226 passes under the Blue Ridge Parkway and crosses the Eastern Continental Divide.

What is NC 226A?

The older Etchoe Pass Road, which climbs Grassy Mountain with many hairpins to Little Switzerland.

What you get in the app

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Highway 226: Marion to Spruce Pine, from Marion to Spruce Pine