The Scenic NC-42 Route That Leads To 6 Interesting Stops From Food To A Historic Park And A Thrift Store

When your inner explorer calls out for a scenic country road trip, the primarily rural North Carolina Highway 42 is the way to go. Beginning at Interstates 73 and 74, and U.S. Highway 220 in Asheboro, this off-the-grid route runs southeast toward Sanford, connecting several cities and towns along the way throughout the central and eastern parts of the state, ending for us in Wilson. This 122-mile road trip takes about three hours, one way, beginning with a yummy breakfast in Asheboro. And if you feel the desire, take some side trips along the way. Let’s get started.

Google Maps

Follow the map to explore some interesting destinations.

42 Diner, 191 NC-42, Asheboro, NC 27203, USA

42 Diner/Facebook

Start with breakfast, which begins here every morning at 6 a.m. except on Sundays, in this kid-friendly restaurant.

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42 Diner/Facebook

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Ole Gilliam Mill Park, 4717 Carbonton Rd #4637, Sanford, NC 27330, USA

Ole Gilliam Mill Park/Facebook

Walk off some of those calories and take the approximately 45-minute drive to this rustic park. It features an authentic reproduction of the mill, completed in 1979. The original one was built in 1850 and washed away in a flood in 1928.

Porter Farms & Nursery Farm Market, 3525 NC-42, Willow Spring, NC 27592, USA

Porter Farms and Nursery/Facebook

Just south of Raleigh, the family-owned business provides only the freshest homegrown seasonal produce and delicious ice cream.

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Collected Treasures, 5533 NC-42, Garner, NC 27529, USA

Collected Treasures/Facebook

About 20 minutes away, peruse the aisles in this awesome thrift store.

Divano's Pizzeria, 5131 NC-42 # 200, Garner, NC 27529, USA

Divano's Pizzeria on 40/42/Facebook

It's time for lunch, and right down the road is soon to be your favorite Italian restaurant.

Divano's Pizzeria on 40/42/Facebook

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Deans Farm Market/Facebook

And if you couldn't find what you were looking for at Porter Farms and Nursery, give this market a try.

Deans Farm Market/Facebook

If you would like to continue your journey, take NC-42 until it ends. The road continues from Wilson for a couple more hours until reaching NC-45 in Colerain where the highway ends. And if you’re up for more, check out seven more road trips in North Carolina.