NC 481 is a two-lane rural highway that serves primarily as a farm-to-market route[citation needed] rather than as one to destinations other than Enfield. It begins at an intersection with NC 4/NC 48 in the community of Glenview, then proceeds east, quickly connecting with I-95 along the way. Near Enfield, NC 481 Business goes straight into the downtown area, while NC 481 meets U.S. Route 301 (US 301) before entering the town. After passing through town, it splits with US 301 north of Enfield and continues northeasterly. After connecting with NC 125/NC 903, it ends at NC 561 in the community of Tillery, near the banks of the Roanoke River.
History
NC 481 made three brief appearances before the routing that exists today. The first NC 481 appeared in 1925 as a new primary routing from NC 48 in Roanoke Rapids, to NC 40 in Pleasant Hill. In 1926, NC 40 was rerouted and replaced all of the first NC 481, quickly lead to the second establishment of NC 481 to replace an old alignment of NC 40 from Garysburg to Pleasant Hill. In 1930, NC 40 and NC 481 switched routes again, ending the second and the start of the third, from NC 48 in Roanoke Rapids, to NC 40 in Pleasant Hill.[2] In 1932, the third NC 481 was renumbered NC 40A.
The fourth and current NC 48 was established in 1937 as a new primary routing from NC 48 in Glenview to NC 561 in Tillery.[3] In 2007, NC 481 was rerouted south of Enfield to US 301 before traveling back through town; the old alignment became NC 481 Business.[4]
North Carolina Highway 481 Business (NC 481 Bus) was established in 2007, when NC 481 was rerouted onto new bypass south onto US 301. The business loop travels along Glenview Road, Whitfield Street and Whitaker Street.[4]
NC 4 / NC 48 in Glenview
I-95 near Glenview
US 301 near Enfield
NC 561 in Tillery
