The Oldest Road in America, The King’s Highway, Passes Right Through North Carolina

Long before the invention of the railroads or the automobile, and all the way back to colonial America, there was a need to get from here to there as easily as possible. Over time, our fixation with comfortable, easy, and even enjoyable means of transportation has only grown—but it's always fascinating to take a look back at the history of roads, and it just so happens that one of the oldest roads in the country is still around today. Today, we're uncovering the King's Highway in North Carolina, which began as a network of colonial-era routes.

The Evolution of Roads in North Carolina

Decades before the invention of asphalt, there was the plank road. The most remembered example was the 129-mile wooden highway in North Carolina, the Fayetteville and Western Plank Road, that connected Fayetteville and Bethania, a Moravian settlement in the Piedmont. Built in 1851, the Fayetteville and Western Plank Road was instrumental in moving people and goods for decades.

But even before the plank road came into play, King Charles ordered the governors of the colonies to construct a highway that would connect Charleston and Boston. Work began in 1650 and took decades to complete. Soon after King Charles's death, his son, Charles II of England, would be forced into exile in neighboring France. But it appears the tireless work of building the King's highway continued throughout Charles II's nearly 10 years in exile. The King's Road, of course, ran through North Carolina, and parts of the original route, although significantly widened and upgraded, are still in use today. In fact, much of the King's highway from Virginia southward is still in use. Unlike many historic routes, which have clear routes and signposts, the King's Highway was less defined and more like a decentralized network of paths.

Following The King's Highway in North Carolina

The route was built in sections rather than starting at the northern end in Boston and working southward. Each governor was responsible for the portion through his colony. The oldest road in North Carolina followed what is now NC 32 from the Virginia-North Carolina border to Edenton. From Edenton to New Bern, the King's Highway followed a route that became part of modern-day U.S. Highway 17. Historians believe the route likely followed some of North Carolina's most historic towns, including Edenton, Bath, New Bern, Wilmington, and Cape Fear, before crossing into South Carolina. There's also evidence of inland versions that may have been established for regional travel (and to avoid swamps), including places like Halifax, Tarboro, and Kinston.

The Evolution of the King's Highway

As one can imagine, creating a wagon trail road in colonial days through North Carolina's coastal region meant crossing many fords. It's believed the ford crossings were an issue early on, especially in low-lying areas where rainfall would raise the water and create unsafe crossing conditions. By 1735, the King's Highway was complete from Boston to Charleston, and politicians, settlers, and dignitaries from England could more easily get from point A to point B in the colonies. While the highway has been rerouted and changed layer by layer over the years, its foundation still exists today. The next time you're getting from one small town to another, or perhaps crossing a major river that was once operated by ferry, you'll have an even greater appreciation for all the travelers who made the same journey.

Have you ever driven on the King's Highway through eastern North Carolina without realizing its historical significance? And did you realize this major road from the 1600s still exists? If you love uncovering interesting facts about the history of North Carolina, check out this rural county filled with fascinating historic sites. And speaking of roads, be sure to take a look at our list of the best road trips in North Carolina the next time you're looking for an unforgettable adventure.