Segment 1

Segment Information

I-74 enters North Carolina signed with I-77 for its first four and 1/2 miles. This segment was completed easily in April 2001 with the addition of 2 I-74 signs, one each direction to what was previously just I-77 (see eastbound photo below). Signage at the I-77 interchange, both on I-77 North and I-74 West (including the 2021 sign plans for the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway section), implies I-74 goes as far as Wytheville, Virginia, (the termination point of the route according to AASHTO) but the interstate was, and is still not, signed north of the North Carolina border by Virginia. I-74 East leaves I-77 southbound as a left exit (see below).

Exit Renumbering Proposal Gets a Second Thought

In sign plans released for the letting of the final contract for the Eastern Section of the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway in August 2022, it appeared NCDOT wanted to change the exit number from one based on I-77 mileage, to that with I-74 mileage:

Was this an attempt to make I-74 be the dominant interstate here? This is the current MUTCD guidance, but NCDOT has let other interstate's in similar circumstances, I-85 between Greensboro and Orange County when I-40 was routed onto it, keep their existing exit numbers. NCDOT also appeared to want traffic to 'stay' on I-74 for the next exit, NC 89, since the plans also changed the auxiliary sign from using the next I-77 exit to using the next I-74 one:

As part of this plan for exit renumbering, the current I-77 mile markers would have been removed and replaced by I-74 markers. Here's the sign plans for each of the 4 markers in each direction that would have been installed heading east:

Unlike along US 52, where exit numbers were changed starting in May 2025, more than a year and 6 months prior to the completion of the Beltway project, (for those sign updates see I-74 Segment 3) no changes had been made on I-77 with regards to mile markers or signage through early September 2026 (see photos below).¹ Perhaps NCDOT changed its mind since it would affect only 1 exit number headed south and could be confusing to drivers on I-77 having mileposts suddenly changing and going in the opposite direction where I-74 runs with it. This was confirmed in a response to a question I posted on the NCDOT Facebook page on September 28: "The original plans [for I-77] did show to change the exit sign as described in the question, however signing and delineation decided to keep it as it currently is as Exit 101 to follow I-77 numbering as I-77 is more contiguous through this area."² Apparently, common sense prevailed.

"Drive" this Segment Using Google Maps Street View (Updated 1/11/26)

I-74 West: From Prior to I-77 South Exit Ramp (Dec. 2025)

I-74 East/I-77 South: From the Virginia/North Carolina Border (Sept. 2024)

Segment photos (NEW 9/6/26)

Screen grab image from Sept. 5, 2026 4K Drive Tour video along I-74 East / I-77 South:

Unchanged exit number for I-74 East exit on 1 1/2 mile advance sign.

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Earlier Photos

Image from December 2025 Google Maps Street View taken along I-74 / I-77:

Unchanged Mile 102 marker on I-74 West/I-77 North after the I-74 on-ramp.

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Photos taken by Adam Prince on I-77 in late June 2025:

The 3/4 Mile advance sign for the I-74 East exit on I-77 North at NC 89.

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There is a West I-74/North I-77 pull through sign at the I-74 East exit.

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The 1/2 Mile advance sign for the I-74 East exit on I-77 South still has its old exit numbers.

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2024 PHOTOS

Screen grab images from Big Rig Travels video made on December 11, 2024:

The original East I-74/South I-77 reassurance markers are still in place after the Rest Area on-ramp just across the Virginia border, though the ones in the other direction were taken down, see photo below. Video taken during a rainy day.

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The exit signs for I-74, here for the 1/2 Mile advance, had not been changed to reflect the sign plans above. Based on new signage seen in Segment 3 photos, this may not happen, if it all, until 2026.

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EARLIER PHOTOS

(Hover over for Larger Image)

Image of large East I-74 and South I-77 shields after crossing into North Carolina, Photo courtesy of H.B. Elkins

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Signage along I-77 North Approaching the I-74 Exit (photo courtesy of Adam Prince)

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Approaching the split of I-74 East from I-77 South near Mt. Airy.

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The only construction on this segment since it has been signed was a project to repave this section of I-77 let in 2012 and completed in 2014. The Welcome Center was also renovated, but disappointingly still has signs indicating its just the I-77 Welcome Center. Here's the pair of large West I-74 and North I-77 shields after the merge put up when I-74 was completed to US 52 from Google Maps Street View in September 2019. An updated image from 2021 shows that these signs have been removed:

Comment: Virginia should sign I-74 along I-77 up to I-81 to make this southeastern portion of I-74 a true interstate Interstate. AASHTO's official I-74 route, approved in 1996, starts the interstate at the I-77/I-81 intersection east of Wytheville and then down I-77 south to North Carolina. This probably can wait until after US 52 is signed as I-74 completing the route beyond Winston-Salem to at least Rockingham.

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