Split into three sections, State Route 42 travels through the Appalachian Mountains in western Virginia. Collectively the highway is 271.63 miles long, from SR 91 to U.S. 11 in Woodstock.
The southern portion of SR 42 stretches 61.63 miles from SR 91 (Saltville Highway) at Broadford to SR 100 (Wysor Highway) at Poplar Hill. SR 42 (Bluegrass Trail) travels through remote areas south of Brushy Mountain to SR 16 (Buchanan Road) at Black Hill. The two combine for 0.32 miles.
SR 42 continues east along Old Wilderness Road south of Carter Mountain and Little Mountain to Rich Valley. Entering Bland County, SR 42 passes midway between Brushy Mountain and Walker Mountain to Sharon Springs and Effna. The state route overlaps with U.S. 52 (S Scenic Highway) 5.59 miles northeast into the County seat of Bland, where they meet Interstate 77. Continuing east, SR 42 (Bluegrass Trail) remains alongside Brushy Mountain to Point Pleasant, Mechanicsburg and White Gate.
The central branch of SR 42 extends 29.31 miles from U.S. 460 (Virginia Avenue) at Newport to SR 311 (Salem Avenue) at New Castle. Following Blue Grass Trail, SR 42 runs between Clover Hollow Mountain and Sinking Creek Mountain into Craig County. Cumberland Gap Road continues the scenic byway northeast to Huffman, Sinking Creek and across Johns Creek Mountain to Main Street in New Castle.
119.16 miles in length, the northern leg originates at the exchange joining I-64/U.S. 60 with SR 269 east of Clifton Forge. Paralleling the Cowpasture River, SR 42 (Forty Two Road) runs between Beards and Rough Mountains northeast to Nimrod Hall. SR 42 combines with SR 39 (Mount Valley Road / Maury River Road) for 11.34 miles east from Millsboro Spring to Panther Gap across Mill Mountain and the town of Goshen. SR 42 resumes a northeasterly course along Virginia Avenue between Great North Mountain and Knob Mountain.
Continuing into Augusta County, SR 42 reaches the town of Craigsville and Augusta Springs. Turning east, SR 42 (Little Calf Pasture Highway) crosses Little North Mountain at Buffalo Gap ahead of SR 254 (Parkersburg Turnpike) to Staunton. Buffalo Gap Highway leads SR 42 northeast to Churchville and Scenic Highway to the Rockingham County line south of Bridgewater.
SR 42 runs through Downtown Bridgewater along Main Street, where it overlaps with SR 257 at Dinkley Avenue. SR 42/257 run concurrent 2.76 miles into the town of Dayton along John Wayland Highway. SR 257 branches west to Ottobine while SR 42 proceeds northward into the independent city of Harrisonburg.
SR 42 follows High Street into central Harrisonburg and Virginia Avenue, a three to five lane boulevard, to Harpine Highway at the north city line. SR 42 is a four lane highway to Broadway and again in the town of Timberville. Within Shehandoah County, SR 42 is part of a Virginia scenic byway along the loop from Forestville to Columbia Furnace. East from Columbia Furnance, SR 42 (Senedo Road) leads to Harmony, Calvary and onto W Reservoir Road in the town of Woodstock.
 South
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 | SR 42 (S Main Street) meets the west end of SR 211 (New Market Road) in the town of Timberville. 06/06/04 |
 | SR 211 runs 5.61 miles east from SR 42 (S Main Street) in Timberville to become U.S. 211 at Interstate 81 in New Market. 06/06/04 |
Photo Credits:
06/06/04 by AARoads
Connect with:
Interstate 64
Interstate 77
Interstate 81
U.S. 11
U.S. 60
U.S. 211 / State Route 211
Page Updated 05-08-2021.