Interstate 40 in North Carolina

I-40 travels through all of the diverse regions in North Carolina.{{Cite web |last=Hadley and Goldsmith |first=Jarvis and Richard |title=Geology of the Eastern Great Smoky Mountains North Carolina and Tennessee |url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/0349b/report.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615211640/https://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/0349b/report.pdf |archive-date=June 15, 2022 |access-date=July 30, 2024 |website=pubs.usgs.gov}}{{Cite web |last=Piedmont Triad Regional Council |title=About the Region |url=https://www.ptrc.org/about/about-the-region |access-date=July 30, 2024 |website=www.ptrc.org}} Annual average daily traffic counts along the Interstate in 2023 reached a peak of 193,099 vehicles per day from Harrison Avenue (exit 287) to Wade Avenue in Raleigh.{{Cite web |title=Transportation Data Management System |url=https://ncdot.public.ms2soft.com/tcds/tsearch.asp?loc=Ncdot&mod=TCDS |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618140559/https://ncdot.public.ms2soft.com/tcds/tsearch.asp?loc=Ncdot&mod=TCDS |archive-date=June 18, 2023 |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=ncdot.public.ms2soft.com}} The lowest count was a total of 21,288 vehicles per day in a rural stretch of Pender County. All of I-40 is listed in the National Highway System, a network of roads important to the country's economy, defense, and mobility.{{cite map |publisher = Federal Highway Administration |url = https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/nhs_maps/north_carolina/nc_northcarolina.pdf |format = PDF |title = National Highway System: North Carolina |author = Federal Highway Administration |location = Raleigh |date = March 25, 2015 |access-date = April 6, 2016 |archive-date = September 22, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150922023709/http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/nhs_maps/north_carolina/nc_northcarolina.pdf |url-status = live }}{{cite web |url = https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/ |title = What is the National Highway System? |work = National Highway System |publisher = Federal Highway Administration |date = February 26, 2016 |access-date = April 6, 2016 |archive-date = September 24, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120924215257/http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/ |url-status = live }} I-40 is also designated as a Blue Star Memorial Highway throughout the state.{{Cite web |last=North Carolina Department of Transportation |date=April 11, 2024 |title=Blue Star Memorial Highways Fact Sheet, 2019 |url=https://connect.ncdot.gov/municipalities/ProceduresPolicies/Blue%20Star%20Memorial%20Highways%20Fact%20Sheet,%202019.pdf |access-date=April 11, 2024 |website=North Carolina Department of Transportation}}

File:I-40W-Sunflowers.jpg

I-40 enters North Carolina along the north banks of the Pigeon River at the foot of Snowbird Mountain. Winding in parallel with the river, I-40 goes through twin tunnels. When the tunnels opened in 1968, they were the first Interstate tunnels east of the Mississippi River. I-40 then proceeds through the Pigeon River Gorge for the next {{convert|16|mi|km}}. Just south of exit 7, I-40 uses another tunnel, for eastbound traffic only, through Hurricane Mountain.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 2009 |title = Haywood County North Carolina |author = North Carolina Public Works Commission |edition = 2009 }} The westbound lanes use a rock cut through Hurricane Mountain. A short distance after the tunnel is the North Carolina Welcome Center. Immediately afterward is Waterville Lake, where there are a few at-grade intersections in this location, used as service access for Walters Dam and the Harmon Den Wildlife Management Area.{{cite web |author= |title=Walters Dam |url=http://sections.asce.org/n_carolina/CE%20Trails/web_pages/walters.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103073944/http://sections.asce.org/n_carolina/CE%20Trails/web_pages/walters.htm |archive-date=January 3, 2009 |access-date=December 4, 2008 |website=ASCE North Carolina Section}} I-40 continues toward Asheville. The Interstate then merges with US 74 (Great Smoky Mountains Expressway). I-40 and US 74 encounter the I-26/I-240 interchange, sometimes called Malfunction Junction,{{cite news |url = http://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2016/10/02/answer-man-hope-exit-44-area--40-republicans-first/91338734/ |title = Answer Man: Hope for Exit 44 area on I-40? Republicans first? |last = Boyle |first = John |work = Asheville Citizen-Times |date = October 2, 2016 |access-date = October 2, 2016 }} in the southwestern part of the city. The interchange is the current western terminus of I-240 and the original western terminus of I-26. I-40 then goes along the south side of Asheville, north of the Biltmore Estate toward Hickory.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |title = Buncombe County |url = http://dotw-xfer01.dot.state.nc.us/imgdot/DOTStateTravelMap/buncombe.jpg |author = North Carolina Department of Transportation |access-date = April 30, 2014 }} I-40 then has another interchange with I-240 before the Interstate leaves the Asheville area.

File:I-40 Eastern Continental Divide.jpg

Shortly after it leaves Asheville, I-40 encounters a steep grade, Old Fort Mountain, with winding roads that pose a hazard to truck traffic. There are several runaway truck ramps on this part of the highway. This stretch is about {{convert|6|mi|km|spell=in}} long.{{Cite news |last=Boyle |first=John |title=Answer Man: I-40 over Old Fort mountain too curvy? Truck wrecks there? |url=https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/06/12/answer-man-40-over-old-fort-mountain-too-curvy/5342064002/ |date=2020-06-12 |access-date=2024-05-13 |work=The Asheville Citizen Times |language=en-US}} I-40 goes south of Black Mountain and Marion and north of Conover.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |title = McDowell County |url = http://dotw-xfer01.dot.state.nc.us/imgdot/DOTStateTravelMap/mcdowell.jpg |author = North Carolina Department of Transportation |access-date = April 30, 2014 }} There, it crosses the Eastern Continental Divide and the southern tip of the Black Mountains. When I-40 enters Hickory, it has a clover interchange with US 321, providing access north to Hickory and south to Lincolnton and Gastonia. I-40 then heads south of Hickory and crosses the Catawba River on the Cecil H. Hoffman Bridge.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |title = Catawba County |url = http://dotw-xfer01.dot.state.nc.us/imgdot/DOTStateTravelMap/catawba.jpg |author = North Carolina Department of Transportation |access-date = February 28, 2014 }} After that, it enters Iredell County and passes Statesville north of the city. It has major interchanges with US 64 and US 21 before utilizing a partial turbine/cloverleaf interchange with I-77. This interchange was reconstructed to help alleviate congestion around the area.{{Cite web |title=NCDOT: I-40/77 Interchange Improvements |url=https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/i40-i77-interchange/Pages/default.aspx |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=NCDOT |language=en-US}}

File:I 40 in Winston-Salem.jpg

I-40 heads northeast upon entering into the region, passing through Mocksville and Clemmons. From here, I-40 widens to six lanes upon entering into Winston-Salem. It has meets with a major interchange, the Salem Parkway, which carries US 421 and gives direct access to downtown Winston-Salem.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |title = Forsyth County |url = http://dotw-xfer01.dot.state.nc.us/imgdot/DOTStateTravelMap/forsyth.jpg |author = North Carolina Department of Transportation |access-date = April 30, 2014 |archive-date = December 24, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231224090738/https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/imgdot/DOTStateTravelMap/forsyth.jpg |url-status = live }} Continuing through the southern areas of the Winston-Salem, I-40 bears a more eastern direction, passing Hanes Mall and the surrounding commercial developments. After passing the area, it has a major cloverleaf interchange with I-285/US 52/NC 8.{{google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0651271,-80.2291883,15z?hl=en|access-date=February 27, 2014}} It later meets I-74, which exits off to the south toward High Point. From here I-40 continues northeast bypassing most of Kernersville to the south shortly before meeting with US 421 shortly after passing the Guilford County line.{{google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/36.0620916,-80.2287592/36.0611202,-80.1927532/@36.0640517,-80.2027525,15z/data=!4m3!4m2!1m0!1m0?hl=en|access-date=February 27, 2014}} US 421 runs a concurrency with I-40 into Greensboro.{{google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0977708,-80.0095061,14z?hl=en|access-date=February 27, 2014}}{{google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/35.7756734,-83.0982212/34.2718426,-77.8696731/@35.7883592,-80.51229,666917m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m4!4m3!1m0!1m0!5i2?hl=en|access-date=April 23, 2014}}{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 2013 |title = State Transportation Map |author = North Carolina State Tax Commission |edition = 2013–2014 }}

I-40 heads into the Greensboro city limits, passing an interchange with NC 68, which gives access to the PTI Airport. This happens shortly before reaching the large I-73/US 421/I-840 interchange. This interchange is the east end of the US 421 concurrency with I-40 as well as the western terminus of I-840.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 2010 |title = Guilford County North Carolina |author = North Carolina Public Works Commission |edition = 2010 }} From here, I-40 heads through southwestern Greensboro passing several interchanges that connects to various major areas in the city, including a junction with US 70 which carries Wendover Avenue. The interstate Four Seasons Town Centre before having a large interchange with US 220.{{google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0542749,-79.8648814,14z?hl=en|access-date=April 23, 2014}} US 29/US 70 all merge into I-40/US 220 for a major concurrency {{convert|1|mi|km|spell=in}} after the interchange with US 220.{{google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/36.0353052,-79.819486/36.0328411,-79.8022627/@36.0355198,-79.8143271,16z/data=!4m4!4m3!1m0!1m0!3e0?hl=en|access-date=April 23, 2014}} The Interstate is generally six-lanes throughout in this area.{{google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@36.0373878,-79.7850538,162m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en|access-date=April 23, 2014}}

This {{convert|2.5|mi|km|adj=on}} corridor with concurrent routes ends in the east at the US 29/US 220/Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard junction. Both the beginning and ending interchanges of this corridor are quite unusual in design and are often operating at above full capacity, leading to frequent traffic jams and incidents.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 2011 |title = Greensboro North Carolina |author = North Carolina Public Works Commission |edition = 2011 }}

{{Anchor|Through Greensboro}}I-40 through Greensboro officially bears the name Preddy Boulevard. The nickname "Death Valley" has been given to the area of I-40 where I-40 and I-85 Business (I-85 Bus.) splits. The locals have given that area that name because of the high number of deaths due to car crashes in that area.{{cite news |url = http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/9826900/ |title = Scene of I-40 Triple Fatal Wreck Worries Drivers |location = Raleigh, NC |publisher = WRAL-TV |date = July 7, 2011 |access-date = February 13, 2014 |archive-date = February 21, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140221182942/http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/9826900/ |url-status = live }}{{cite news |date = December 23, 2013 |first = Andrea |last = Cavallier |url = http://myfox8.com/2013/12/23/all-lanes-of-i-40-blocked-due-to-wreck/ |title = One Dead in I-40 Wreck, Lanes Reopened |location = High Point, NC |publisher = WGHP-TV |access-date = February 13, 2014 |archive-date = February 20, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140220042435/http://myfox8.com/2013/12/23/all-lanes-of-i-40-blocked-due-to-wreck/ |url-status = live }} One major problem with the highway is that the US 29/US 70/US 220 southbound lanes merge from the right and exit to the left. Thus, through traffic on I-40 west and US 29 south (a major route from Virginia to Charlotte) must all merge to the other side of the freeway. A study conducted by state traffic engineers from May 1, 2006, to April 30, 2008, (the period between the I-85 relocation and I-40's relocation) concluded that "the Death Valley area" had an accident rate "higher than average for urban interstates [...] but the [route] was safe anyway".{{cite news |title = Which Way Do We Go? |work = Winston-Salem Journal |date = February 1, 2009 |page = 1A }} There were no fatalities during the study period, but a large number of rear-end collisions.

File:I40i85NC.jpg

I-40 merges with I-85 east of Greensboro. I-40 and I-85 have a {{convert|31|mi|km|adj=on}} concurrency through Guilford, Alamance, and Orange counties. The concurrency section uses I-85 exit numbers instead of I-40 exit numbers. The section goes south of Elon, Burlington, Graham, and Mebane, passing through generally suburban development. I-40 breaks ways from I-85 at exit 163, south of Hillsborough, where I-85 continues east.

After I-40 breaks away from I-85, it heads in a very southeasterly direction toward Chapel Hill, going through rural areas and a forest. I-40 parallels NC 86 until NC 86 crosses I-40 at exit 266. The interstate then passes more suburban areas as well as northern Chapel Hill and through southern Durham. I-40 enters Research Triangle Park (RTP) after an interchange with I-885 and NC 885. The Interstate varies in width, from four to eight lanes, depending on the location. It serves as a major thoroughfare between Raleigh, Cary, and Durham (the other being US 70). After leaving the Research Triangle area, I-40 has an interchange with I-540 near Raleigh–Durham International Airport. Several I-40 exits serve Raleigh–Durham, including Aviation Parkway, Airport Boulevard, and I-540. I-40 continues to head southeast toward downtown Raleigh. I-40 is routed north of Cary and south of William B. Umstead State Park. At Wade Avenue, I-40 bears right to head south. It then has an interchange with I-440/US 1/US 64 at exits 293A and 293B. I-40 then runs a concurrency with US 64 along the south side of Raleigh. The concurrency ends at an interchange with I-87/I-440/US 64 at exit 301, where I-40 turns south.

Beyond exit 301, I-40 follows a primarily south-southeasterly routing to Wilmington. It departs Raleigh and runs along through eastern Garner between Jones Sausage Road (exit 303) and White Oak Road. I-40 meets US 70 in Garner at exit 306. Additionally, I-40 begins to parallel NC 50 starting near exit 306 in Garner and continuing through Kenansville. I-40 travels {{Convert|4.1|mi|km}} south to exit 309 with I-42 and NC 540, where I-42 heads eastward toward Selma and New Bern. South of exit 309, I-40 leaves Wake County and enters Johnston County. As the highway leaves suburban regions surrounding Raleigh, it interchanges with NC 42 (exit 312), NC 210 (exit 319), and NC 242 (exit 325) which provide access to Clayton, Angier, and Benson. I-40 travels to the east of Benson, crossing over US 301, but provides no access to the highway. Immediately south of US 301, I-40 meets I-95 at exit 328, a modified cloverleaf interchange. This interchange was redesigned to help smoothen out the driving surface from the I-40 bridges to I-95.{{Cite press release |title = NCDOT: I-95/I-40 Interchange Bridge Work to Require Ramp Closures |url = https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2018/2018-08-03-i-95-40-bridge.aspx |access-date = 2024-04-11 |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |language = en-US }}

File:Exit 301 WB on I-40 2.jpg

I-40 continues southeast through rural Johnston County farmland, meeting NC 96 (exit 334) north of Peacocks Crossroads. Approaching Newton Grove, I-40 leaves Johnston County and crosses into Sampson County. I-40 travels along the southwestern side of Newton Grove, interchanging with NC 50 and NC 55 at exit 341 and US 701 at exit 343. US 13 crosses over I-40 in the vicinity of Newton Grove, but there is not a dedicated interchange. I-40 continues southeast of Newton Grove through rural Sampson County. It meets US 117 Connector and NC 403 at exit 355 southwest of Faison, and I-40 begins to parallel US 117 near the exit.{{Cite web |author = North Carolina State Highway Patrol |date = May 10, 2024 |title = NCSHP Coastal Evacuation Plan |url = https://www.ncdps.gov/documents/files/shp-troop-b-coastal-evacuation-plan-sampson-county-map/open |access-date = May 10, 2024 |publisher = North Carolina State Highway Patrol }} I-40 departs Sampson County and enters Duplin County approximately {{Convert|4|mi|km|spell=in}} southeast of exit 355. It continues through Duplin County for approximately {{Convert|5|mi|km|spell=in}} before meeting NC 24 and NC 24 Bus. (exit 364) west of Warsaw. At the interchange, NC 24 begins an {{Convert|8.4|mi|km}} concurrency with I-40 to the southeast. An interchange with US 117 (exit 369) is located south of Warsaw and I-40 begins to travel around Magnolia to the east. NC 24 departs the freeway at NC 903 (exit 373) which provides access to Kenansville. After the interchange, I-40 primarily turns to the south, bypassing Teachey, Rose Hill, and Wallace to the east. Interchanges with Charity Road (exit 380), NC 11 (exit 384), and NC 41 (exit 385) provide access to these towns and to US 117.{{Cite web |author = North Carolina Department of Transportation |date = May 10, 2024 |title = I-40 Ramps: Duplin & Pender County |url = https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/dsplan/2019%20Highway%20Letting/08-20-19/Plans%20and%20Proposals/I-5940_Duplin_Pender_45882.3.GV1_I5940_C204337/Individual%20Sheets/100%20Plans/001_006_I5940_2_map.pdf |access-date = May 10, 2024 |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation }} I-40 begins to run parallel to the Northeast Cape Fear River and enters Pender County after crossing Rockfish Creek near Wallace.{{Cite web |author = North Carolina Department of Transportation |date = May 10, 2024 |title = Pender County Bridge |url = https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/imgdot/DOTBridgeMaps/PDF_BridgeOneSheet/Pender_BridgeMap_OneSheet.pdf |access-date = May 10, 2024 |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation }}

File:Beginning of Interstate 40 (39245153235).jpg

The highway once again meets US 117, at an interchange south of Wallace, and crosses to the western side of US 117. I-40 remains on the western side of US 117 for {{Convert|5.6|mi|km}} until it crosses over I-40 north of Burgaw. The highway bypasses Burgaw to the east, meeting NC 53 (exit 398) east of the town. Continuing south, I-40 once again meets NC 210 at exit 408 near Rocky Point and then crosses the Northeast Cape Fear River into New Hanover County where it picks up the name "Michael Jordan Freeway".{{Cite web |author = North Carolina Department of Transportation |date = April 5, 1991 |title = CEO_KM_C754e-20160525115111 |url = https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/gisdot/DOTHD/bios/ACT_Resolution_Michael_Jordan.pdf |access-date = April 11, 2024 |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation }} I-40 passes to the east of Castle Hayne and interchanges with Holly Shelter Road at exit 412. An interchange with I-140 and NC 140 is located {{Convert|2.5|mi|km}} south of Holly Shelter Road at exit 416. From I-140 and NC 140, I-40 continues south passing east of Olsen Park before turning to the southwest and meeting US 117 and NC 132 at exit 420. Eastbound I-40 runs concurrently with US 117 and NC 132 for {{Convert|0.2|mi|km}} beyond the exit, while westbound I-40 is concurrent with US 117 and NC 132 for approximately {{Convert|0.5|mi|km}} due to the design of the interchange. The eastern terminus of I-40 is located at US 117 and NC 132 north of Kings Grant Road in Wilmington, where both US 117 and NC 132 drop the concurrency. The highway continues south as North College Road toward US 74, the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and Carolina Beach.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 2011 |title = North Carolina State Transportation Map |author = North Carolina Public Works Commission |edition = 2011–2012 }}

The freeway bears several names in addition to the I-40 designation. Throughout the state, the freeway is known as the Blue Star Memorial Highway, a name shared with multiple Interstates across the state.{{cite web |author = Staff |url = http://www.ncdot.gov/programs/environmental/bluestar/ |title = NC Blue Star Memorial Marker Locations |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |access-date = November 24, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110522011307/http://ncdot.gov/programs/environmental/bluestar/ |archive-date = May 22, 2011 |url-status = dead }} From the Guilford–Alamance county line to {{convert|1|mi|km|spell=in}} east of NC 54, in Graham, I-40/I-85 is known as the Sam Hunt Freeway.{{Cite web |last=North Carolina Department of Transportation |date=September 5, 1997 |title=Resolution for Sam Hunt |url=https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/gisdot/DOTHD/bios/ACT_Resolution_Sam_Hunt.pdf |access-date=April 17, 2024 |website=CEO_KM_C754e-20160602084151}} The freeway is known as the Harriet Morehead Berry Freeway through Orange County, named for a leader in the Good Roads Movement in North Carolina.{{Cite web |url = http://ncpedia.org/biography/berry-harriet-morehead |title = Berry, Harriet Morehead |last = Mckown |first = Harry |date = 1979 |website = NCpedia |access-date = June 13, 2016 |archive-date = June 17, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160617025453/http://ncpedia.org/biography/berry-harriet-morehead |url-status = live }}{{Cite web |last=North Carolina Department of Transportation |date=February 14, 1986 |title=Resolution for Harriet Morehead Berry Freeway |url=https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/gisdot/DOTHD/bios/ACT_Resolution_Harriet_Morehead_Berry.pdf |access-date=April 17, 2024}} Between US 15/US 501 in Chapel Hill to I-885/NC 885 in Durham, I-40 is known as the John Motley Morehead III Freeway who was a noted philanthropist and graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.{{Cite web |last=North Carolina Department of Transportation |date=September 10, 1988 |title=Resolution for John Motley Morehead III |url=https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/gisdot/DOTHD/bios/ACT_Resolution_John_Motley_Morehead_III.pdf |access-date=April 17, 2024}} I-40 is the Dan K. Moore Freeway through the Research Triangle Park. The section is named after Dan K. Moore who was the 66th governor of North Carolina.{{Cite web |last=North Carolina Department of Transportation |date=July 30, 2015 |title=Road and Bridge Namings in North Carolina |url=https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Teppl/TEPPL%20All%20Documents%20Library/Road_Bridge_Names.pdf |access-date=April 17, 2024 |page=20}}{{Cite web |last=North Carolina Department of Transportation |date=November 8, 1985 |title=Resolution Designating the Dan K. Moore Freeway |url=https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/gisdot/DOTHD/bios/ACT_Resolution_Dan_K_Moore.pdf |access-date=April 17, 2024}} From the Wade Avenue Extension to US 70 in Garner, the freeway is known as the Tom Bradshaw Freeway, named after the 33rd mayor of Raleigh.{{Cite news |last=Campbell |first=Colin |date=October 17, 2014 |title=Former mayor, businessman make education focus of NC Senate District 15 race |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article10098701.html |access-date=May 10, 2024 |work=The News & Observer}} I-40 is the James Harrington Freeway from US 70 to I-95.{{Cite web |last=North Carolina Department of Transportation |date=November 3, 1989 |title=Resolution for the James E. Harrington Freeway |url=https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/gisdot/DOTHD/bios/ACT_Resolution_James_E_Harrington.pdf |access-date=May 10, 2024 |website=North Carolina Department of Transportation}} In Johnston, south of I-95, and Sampson counties, I-40 is dedicated to Robert D. Warren Sr. who was a former State Director of Driver's Licenses and State Senator from the area.{{Cite web |title=Robert Warren Obituary (2013) - Benson, NC - The News & Observer |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/newsobserver/name/robert-warren-obituary?id=12419737 |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Legacy.com}} In Duplin County, a section of I-40 {{convert|6.95|mi|km}} north of NC 24 west of Warsaw to {{convert|6.95|mi|km}} south of NC 24 is known as the Henry L. Stevens Jr. Highway, who was a commander of the American Legion and a North Carolina Superior Court judge.{{Cite web |url = http://www.ncmarkers.com/Markers.aspx?MarkerId=F-63 |title = Marker: F-63 |website = North Carolina Historical Marker Program |publisher = North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources |access-date = June 13, 2016 |archive-date = May 24, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160524141143/http://www.ncmarkers.com/Markers.aspx?MarkerId=F-63 |url-status = live }} From the Pender–New Hanover county line to the eastern terminus of I-40, the freeway is known as the Michael Jordan Highway, named after the famous basketball player who grew up in Wilmington and was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.{{cite web |author = Staff |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Teppl/TEPPL%20All%20Documents%20Library/Sorted%20by%20County.pdf |title = North Carolina Memorial Highways and Other Named Facilities |date = July 15, 2004 |access-date = November 24, 2013 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121229090753/https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Teppl/TEPPL%20All%20Documents%20Library/Sorted%20by%20County.pdf |archive-date = December 29, 2012 }}{{cite web |author = Staff |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Teppl/TEPPL%20All%20Documents%20Library/Road_Bridge_Names.pdf |title = Road and Bridge Namings in North Carolina |date = July 30, 2015 |access-date = May 24, 2017 |archive-date = March 30, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160330205940/https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Teppl/TEPPL%20All%20Documents%20Library/Road_Bridge_Names.pdf |url-status = live }} I-40 has also been given the name Tobacco Road by college sports fans because the freeway links up the four North Carolina schools in the Atlantic Coast Conference.{{cite news |url = http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=triangle&id=5043833&ft=lg |title = What is Tobacco Road? |location = Durham, NC |publisher = WTVD-TV |access-date = November 24, 2011 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110521072257/http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=triangle&id=5043833&ft=lg |archive-date = May 21, 2011 }}

On February 1, 2024, I-40 was named the Jimmy Capps Freeway, after Jimmy Capps, a country music singer and songwriter from Benson.{{Cite web |first=Laura |last = Latta |date=February 9, 2024 |title=Highway named for local country music legend |url=https://www.mydailyrecord.com/arts_and_entertainment/spotlight/highway-named-for-local-country-music-legend/article_469003ec-c6a5-11ee-90c4-bfbf61b138a0.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The Daily Record |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Stradling |first=Richard |date=February 1, 2024 |title=Part of I-40 will be named for a country music mainstay from Johnston County |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/johnston-county/article284917567.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=News & Observer}}

Authorized by the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, North Carolina was originally allocated {{convert|714|mi|km}} for their share of the Interstate Highway System; {{convert|219|mi|km}} of which was subsequently allocated for a route from the Tennessee state line, through Asheville and Winston-Salem, to Greensboro. Designated as I-40, it became the first Interstate in the state after opening on a completed {{convert|3|mi|km|adj=mid|spell=in|-long}} section in Winston-Salem in 1958. For the next 32 years, I-40 was constructed and extended twice to its current routing from the Pigeon River Gorge to Wilmington.{{cite web |title = Interstate Firsts |url = http://www.ncdot.org/public/50thanniv/ncinterstates/download/interstateFirsts.pdf |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |location = Raleigh |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081025145716/http://www.ncdot.org/public/50thanniv/ncinterstates/download/interstateFirsts.pdf |archive-date = October 25, 2008 }}

The first major overland transportation corridors in North Carolina were the Indian trading paths. One of these routes, the Rutherford's Trace, followed the path of modern I-40.{{cite web |url = http://www.learnnc.org/lp/multimedia/9141 |title = Map of Rutherford's Trace, 1776 |publisher = UNC-Chapel Hill School of Education |date = 2007 |access-date = April 7, 2016 |archive-date = March 24, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160324044410/http://www.learnnc.org/lp/multimedia/9141 |url-status = live }} In 1921, the North Carolina Highway System was established, with NC 10, nicknamed the "Central Highway", designated on the route between Asheville and Greensboro. By the time US 70 was established in 1926 and placed on concurrency on all of NC 10, nearly all of the route was either paved or oil-treated. After World War II, the federal government began planning on a new Interregional Highway system, as mandated by the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1944, and released a proposed National System of Interstate Highways in 1947, which included a route that followed loosely to US 70 from the Tennessee state line to Greensboro.{{cite map |url = http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Interstate_Highway_plan_August_2,_1947_big_text.jpg |title = National System of Interstate Highways |author = Public Roads Administration |scale = Scale not given |location = Washington, DC |publisher = Public Roads Administration |date = August 2, 1947 |access-date = April 7, 2016 |via = Wikimedia Commons |archive-date = October 29, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131029202001/http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Interstate_Highway_plan_August_2,_1947_big_text.jpg |url-status = live }} After years of planning and the passing of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, which established the route between Tennessee and Greensboro, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) approved the I-40 designation in 1957.{{cite book |last = McNichol |first = Dan |date = 2006 |title = The Roads that Built America |location = New York, NY |publisher = Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. |pages = 121–123 |isbn = 978-1402734687 }}

In 1958, the first construction job in the country that was designated specifically for I-40 was in Haywood County, along the Pigeon River. That same year, the first two sections of I-40 opened: the first was the {{convert|3|mi|km|adj=mid|spell=in|-long}} East–West Expressway in Winston-Salem; the second was from US 421 in Kernersville to US 29/US 70 in Greensboro. In both cases, these first freeways were constructed a couple of years prior for US 158 and US 421, respectively, and did not benefit from the 1956 act; as a result, in 1988, the state was able to convince the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to build the Winston-Salem Bypass.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/1443/rec/103 |title = North Carolina Official Highway Map |author = North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission |year = 1957 |location = Raleigh |access-date = April 7, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422050629/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/1443/rec/103 |url-status = live }}{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway Commission |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/1446/rec/104 |title = North Carolina Official Highway Map |author = North Carolina State Highway Commission |year = 1958 |location = Raleigh |access-date = April 7, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422060324/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/1446/rec/104 |url-status = live }} Between Ridgecrest and Old Fort, US 70 along Youngs Ridge was four lanes as of 1954; I-40, however, was not officially designated until 1982, after additional highway improvements, including additional widening, runaway truck ramps, and warning devices.{{cite news |url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/198662576/?terms=old%2Bfort%2Bus%2B70 |title = Growing Traffic Creates Need For Better Highways |last = Damtoft |first = Walt |work = Asheville Citizen-Times |date = September 26, 1954 |access-date = June 16, 2020 |via = newspapers.com |page = 13 |archive-date = June 17, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200617192226/https://www.newspapers.com/image/198662576/?terms=old%2Bfort%2Bus%2B70 |url-status = live }}{{cite web |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/1982_01_01.pdf |title = Route Change (1982-01-01) |page = 3 |date = January 1, 1982 |access-date = April 7, 2016 |archive-date = March 4, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095107/https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/1982_01_01.pdf |url-status = live }}

In 1960, I-40 made three expansions: in Burke County, from Dysartsville Road (SR 1129) to Hildebran (connecting to US 64/US 70 along I-40 Access Road Southeast (SR 1890)); from NC 16 in Conover to NC 90 in Statesville; and from NC 801 near Advance to the US 158/US 421 split east of Winston-Salem.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway Commission |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/9666/rec/155 |title = North Carolina Official Highway Map |author = North Carolina State Highway Commission |year = 1959 |location = Raleigh |access-date = April 7, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422045608/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/9666/rec/155 |url-status = live }}{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission |url = https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/imgdot/DOTStateTravelMapHistoric/STM1960.pdf |format = PDF |title = North Carolina Official Highway Map |author = North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission |year = 1960 |location = Raleigh |access-date = April 7, 2016 |archive-date = March 5, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305085014/https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/imgdot/DOTStateTravelMapHistoric/STM1960.pdf |url-status = live }} In 1961, I-40 extended west from Dysartsville Road to NC 226 near Marion. In Statesville, I-40 extended east along a completed widening project of the US 64 Bypass, between NC 90 to US 64.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway Commission |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/1449/rec/4 |title = North Carolina Official Highway Map |author = North Carolina State Highway Commission |year = 1961 |location = Raleigh |access-date = April 7, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422053555/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/1449/rec/4 |url-status = live }} In 1962, I-40 extended west from NC 226 near Marion to link-up with US 70 near Old Fort. In 1963, the gap between Winston-Salem and Kernersville was completed.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway Commission |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/1452/rec/1 |title = North Carolina Official Highway Map |author = North Carolina State Highway Commission |year = 1963 |location = Raleigh |access-date = April 7, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422033124/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/1452/rec/1 |url-status = live }} In 1964, I-40 opened a {{convert|12|mi|km|adj=on}} segment from east of Clyde (using the freeway connector from US 19/US 23) to Wiggins Road (SR 1200).{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway Commission |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/1455/rec/1 |title = North Carolina Official Highway Map |author = North Carolina State Highway Commission |year = 1964 |location = Raleigh |access-date = April 7, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422043031/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/1455/rec/1 |url-status = live }} In 1967, I-40 opened a {{convert|3.8|mi|km|adj=on}} segment through the Biltmore Estate from NC 191 to US 25.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway Commission |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/1542/rec/50 |title = North Carolina Official Highway Map |author = North Carolina State Highway Commission |year = 1967 |location = Raleigh |access-date = April 7, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422072119/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/1542/rec/50 |url-status = live }} In 1968 and after 10 years of construction, I-40 opened a {{convert|20|mi|km|adj=on}} segment from the Tennessee state line to US 276 in Cove Creek.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway Commission |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/5234/rec/1 |title = North Carolina Official Highway Map |author = North Carolina State Highway Commission |year = 1968 |location = Raleigh |access-date = April 7, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422090031/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/5234/rec/1 |url-status = live }}{{cite news |url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/195582918/?terms=interstate%2B40 |title = Principals At Highway Dedicaton |work = Asheville Citizen-Times |date = October 25, 1968 |page = 15 |via = newspapers.com |access-date = May 27, 2021 |archive-date = April 23, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220423072627/https://www.newspapers.com/image/195582918/?terms=interstate%2B40 |url-status = live }} In November of same year, the North Carolina State Highway Commission (NCSHC) submitted a request to the Bureau of Public Roads (BPR) to extend I-40 east of Greensboro to Raleigh via RTP. In 1969, both BPR and AASHTO approved the extension, allowing I-40 to continue east of Durham through Raleigh to Smithfield.{{AASHTO minutes |year=1969S |page=10 |access-date=April 7, 2016}} Also in the same year, I-40 was extended west from NC 191 to connect with I-26 and end at US 19/US 23 in Enka.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway Commission |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/1645/rec/1 |title = North Carolina Official Highway Map |author = North Carolina State Highway Commission |year = 1969 |location = Raleigh |access-date = April 7, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422084333/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/1645/rec/1 |url-status = live }} In 1970, I-40 extended west from NC 801 near Advance to US 64 near Mocksville.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway Commission |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/7169/rec/2 |title = 1970 North Carolina Official Highway Map |author = North Carolina State Highway Commission |year = 1970 |location = Raleigh |access-date = April 8, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422150318/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/7169/rec/2 |url-status = live }}

In 1971, two gaps were completed: Wiggins Road (SR 1200) to US 19/US 23 in Enka; and US 64 in Statesville to US 64 near Mocksville.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway Commission |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/5237/rec/5 |title = North Carolina Official Highway Map |author = North Carolina State Highway Commission |year = 1971 |location = Raleigh |access-date = April 8, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422120303/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/5237/rec/5 |url-status = live }} In July, NCSHC finalized a plan for I-40's routing east of Durham to Smithfield, with an estimated cost of $75 million (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|75000000|1971}}}} in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP}}).{{cite news |title = SHC Approves I-40 Link in Wake County |newspaper = Concord Tribune |agency = Associated Press |date = July 20, 1971 }}{{page needed|date= July 2014}} In December, new freeway opened between Davis Drive (SR 1999) in RTP to US 1/US 64 (Raleigh Beltline) in Raleigh; I-40 was added along {{convert|7|mi|km|spell=in}} between Davis Drive and Harrison Avenue (SR 1654), while east of Harrison Avenue (future Wade Avenue) was signed "To I-40".{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway Commission |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/8413/rec/105 |format = PDF |title = [Highway maintenance map of] Durham County, North Carolina |author = North Carolina State Highway Commission |location = Raleigh |date = January 1, 1972 |access-date = April 8, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422095113/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/8413/rec/105 |url-status = live }}{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway Commission |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/8268/rec/82 |format = PDF |title = [Highway maintenance map of] Wake County, North Carolina |author = North Carolina State Highway Commission |location = Raleigh |date = January 1, 1972 |access-date = April 8, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422111542/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/8268/rec/82 |url-status = live }} In 1972, I-40 extended east from US 25 in Asheville to Porters Cove Road (SR 2838) in Oteen; the extension bypassed both US 25A and US 74, where interchanges were built in 1999 and 1973, respectively.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina State Highway Commission |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/1642/rec/6 |title = North Carolina Official Highway Map |author = North Carolina State Highway Commission |year = 1972 |location = Raleigh |access-date = April 8, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422140101/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/1642/rec/6 |url-status = live }} In 1973, I-40 and the Durham Freeway (future NC 147; now I-885) were connected in RTP.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/1654/rec/30 |title = North Carolina Official Highway Map |author = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 1973 |location = Raleigh |edition = 1973–1974 |access-date = April 8, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422142712/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/1654/rec/30 |url-status = live }} In 1974, a gap was completed between US 276 in Cove Creek to the freeway connector (future Great Smoky Mountains Expressway) near Clyde. I-40 also extended east from Porters Cove Road in Oteen to Patton Cove Road (SR 2740) in Swannanoa.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/1648/rec/27 |title = North Carolina Official Highway Map |author = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 1974 |edition = 1974–1975 |location = Raleigh |access-date = April 8, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422111423/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/1648/rec/27 |url-status = live }} In 1976, a gap of I-40 was completed between Henry River Road (SR 1002) in Hildebran and NC 16 in Conover.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/1663/rec/17 |title = North Carolina Bicentennial Highway Map |author = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 1976 |location = Raleigh |access-date = April 8, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422143721/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/1663/rec/17 |url-status = live }} In April 1978, after years of debate on where I-40 should be routed east of I-95, either Morehead City or Wilmington, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) approved a corridor location between Raleigh and Wilmington. The discussions on its routing started since the initial extension in 1969 and arguments from several area groups why the routing should go to their port city. In the end, the routing approval to Wilmington came with a caveat to build new freeway in parallel to US 117 instead of a full upgrade of US 421 as several in the region supported.{{cite news |author = |date = May 6, 1971 |title = 'Tremendous Boost,' That's How Sampson Official Sees an Interstate Highway |url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19710506&id=f69OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=twkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6035,1082924&hl=en |newspaper = Wilmington Morning Star |access-date = June 13, 2016 |archive-date = March 18, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220318173545/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19710506&id=f69OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=twkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6035,1082924&hl=en |url-status = live }}{{cite news |author = |date = November 15, 1971 |title = Interstate 40 Extension Comes in for Criticism |url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1734&dat=19711115&id=x-gbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wlEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1566,1117280&hl=en |newspaper = The Dispatch |location = Lexington, NC |access-date = June 13, 2016 |archive-date = April 23, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220423072627/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1734&dat=19711115&id=x-gbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wlEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1566,1117280&hl=en |url-status = live }}{{cite news |last = Dexter |first = Jim |date = April 19, 1978 |title = 4-lane road delay in sight |url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19780419&id=QNBOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KRMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2835,3802134&hl=en |newspaper = Wilmington Morning Star |access-date = June 13, 2016 |archive-date = March 19, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220319021941/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19780419&id=QNBOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KRMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2835,3802134&hl=en |url-status = live }}{{cite news |last = Dexter |first = Jim |date = April 22, 1978 |title = I-40, BOT votes to extend highway to Benson, backs leg to city |url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19780422&id=Q9BOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KRMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6194,4313228&hl=en |newspaper = Wilmington Morning Star |access-date = June 13, 2016 |archive-date = March 18, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220318173557/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19780422&id=Q9BOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KRMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6194,4313228&hl=en |url-status = live }}

File:WilmingtonBarstow.JPG

In 1979, I-40 was extended east from Patton Cove Road in Swannanoa to US 70 in Ridgecrest,{{cite map|publisher=North Carolina Department of Transportation|url=https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/imgdot/DOTStateTravelMapHistoric/STM1980.pdf|format=PDF|title=1979-80 North Carolina Transportation Map & Guide to Points of Interest|author=North Carolina Department of Transportation|year=1979|location=Raleigh|edition=1979–1980|access-date=April 8, 2016|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306162956/https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/imgdot/DOTStateTravelMapHistoric/STM1980.pdf|url-status=live}} and in 1982, it was designated in concurrency with US 70 along Youngs Ridge between Ridgecrest and Old Fort; this officially completed the original I-40 routing from Tennessee to Greensboro. In 1984, I-40 was extended in Raleigh from Wade Avenue (exit 289), along the Tom Bradshaw Freeway, to the Cliff Benson Beltline (exit 301).{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/9699/rec/113 |title = North Carolina Transportation Map |author = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 1984 |edition = 1984–1985 |location = Raleigh |access-date = April 8, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422170435/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/9699/rec/113 |url-status = live }} Also same year, AASHTO approved of designation of I-40 between Wallace and Wilmington, currently under construction at the time.{{AASHTO minutes |year=1984S |page=10 |access-date=April 8, 2016}}{{cite web |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/1984_08_01.pdf |title = Route Change (1984-08-01) |page = 2 |date = August 1, 1984 |access-date = April 8, 2016 |archive-date = October 7, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161007144238/https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/1984_08_01.pdf |url-status = live }} By 1985, construction began on a {{convert|22|mi|km|adj=on}} project, connecting the Durham Freeway in the RTP with I-85 west of Hillsborough at an estimated cost of $103 million (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|103000000|1985}}}} in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP}}).{{cite news |last = Leland |first = Elizabeth |title = Growing Pains: I-40 Construction Rapidly Transforming Rural Areas into World of Sleek High Rises |newspaper = The Charlotte Observer |date = July 16, 1985 |page = 1A }} In 1985, I-40 was placed on new {{convert|19|mi|km|adj=on}} section between US 117 (exit 390) near Willard and NC 210 (exit 408) near Rocky Point.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/9669/rec/117 |title = 1985 North Carolina Transportation Map |author = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 1985 |location = Raleigh |access-date = April 8, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422172004/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/9669/rec/117 |url-status = live }} In 1986, I-40 was extended west from the Durham Freeway (exit 279) to NC 55 (exit 278) in the RTP; I-40 was also extended east to its current eastern terminus at US 117/NC 132 (exit 420) in Wilmington.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/9726/rec/119 |title = North Carolina Transportation Map |author = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 1986 |location = Raleigh |edition = 1986–1987 |access-date = April 8, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422161316/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/9726/rec/119 |url-status = live }} In 1987, I-40 was extended west from US 117 (exit 390) near Willard to NC 41 (exit 385) near Tin City.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/9729/rec/120 |title = 1987 North Carolina Transportation Map |author = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 1987 |location = Raleigh |access-date = April 8, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422161636/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/9729/rec/120 |url-status = live }} In 1988, I-40 was extended west to US 15/US 501 (exit 270) in Chapel Hill and east to US 70 (exit 306) in Garner. In October, then-Governor James G. Martin announced federal approval of $114.1 million (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|114100000|1988}}}} in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP}}) for I-40 to be relocated around Winston-Salem.{{cite news |title = U.S. Approves Money for I-40 Bypass |newspaper = The Charlotte Observer |date = October 6, 1988 |page = 4B }}{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/ncmaps/id/9730/rec/124 |title = 1988 North Carolina Transportation Map |author = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 1988 |location = Raleigh |access-date = April 8, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422182236/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/ncmaps/id/9730/rec/124 |url-status = live }} In 1989, I-40 was extended west to I-85 (exit 259) west of Hillsborough and east to I-95 (exit 328) in Benson.{{cite news |agency = Associated Press |title = I-40 Puts Village in Fast Lane; Triangle Approaches |newspaper = The Charlotte Observer |date = October 31, 1988 |page = 1D }}{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/9687/rec/125 |title = 1989 North Carolina Transportation Map |author = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 1989 |location = Raleigh |access-date = April 8, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422151821/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/9687/rec/125 |url-status = live }} By 1990, I-40 was extended west from NC 41 (exit 385) in Tin City to US 117 (exit 369) near Warsaw.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/9693/rec/2 |title = North Carolina Transportation Map |author = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 1990 |location = Raleigh |edition = 1990–1991 |access-date = April 8, 2016 |archive-date = April 22, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160422164653/http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/9693/rec/2 |url-status = live }} On June 29, 1990, with a ribbon-cutting by Governor Martin, I-40 was connected between Raleigh and Wilmington, providing improved access with the Port of Wilmington with the rest of the state. At around this time, a standard distance sign near the start of the westbound section of I-40 in Wilmington indicates the distance to Barstow, California, as {{convert|2554|mi|km}}. In December, AASHTO approved the I-40 designation between Raleigh and Wallace; and in January 1991, NCDOT certified the designation.{{AASHTO minutes |year=1990A |page=10 |access-date=April 8, 2016}}{{cite web |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/1991_01_18.pdf |title = Route Change (1991-01-18) |page = 2 |date = January 18, 1991 |access-date = April 8, 2016 |archive-date = March 4, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070238/https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/1991_01_18.pdf |url-status = live }} The final gap of I-40 was completed when it was designated along existing I-85 from Greensboro to west of Hillsborough {{Circa|1992}}.

By the end of the 20th century, I-40 had experienced notable expansions and modernizations on its route. During the 1980s and 1990s, modernizations were done on the Piedmont stretches. The East-West Expressway which carried I-40 through central Winston-Salem, had stretches that both was built to 1950s Interstate Highway standards and predating the system entirely, leading to notable congestion when all combined. After a study with the city and state, decisions to build a new stretch was concluded, rather than widening and modernizing the freeway through the area, the state lobbied the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to allow them new roadway, arguing that since some this section predated the 1956 Act, it never received federal highway dollars for its development and construction, thus I-40 was technically incomplete in Winston-Salem. In October 1988, the group were able to convince the FHWA, and Governor James G. Martin announced federal approval of $114.1 million for I-40 to be relocated onto the new bypass.{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/ncmaps/id/9730/rec/124 |title = 1988 North Carolina Transportation Map |author = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 1988 |location = Raleigh |accessdate = April 8, 2016 }} By the end of 1992, the {{convert|20.89|mi|km|adj=on}} new stretch was completed and opened and I-40 was officially rerouted onto the new stretch. The new stretch spanned from the then existing US 421 split in southwestern Winston-Salem, to Colfax west of Greensboro. This new stretch was at more recent Interstate standards, and was four-to-six lanes wide. The East–West Expressway was given the new designation as Interstate 40 Business.{{AASHTO minutes |year = 1992A |page = 13 |access-date = April 8, 2016 }}{{cite web |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/1992_11_09.pdf |title = Route Change (1992-11-09) |page = 2 |date = November 9, 1992 |accessdate = April 8, 2016 }}{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/9711/rec/4 |title = 1992-93 North Carolina Transportation Map |author = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 1992 |location = Raleigh |edition = 1992-93 |accessdate = April 8, 2016 }}{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ncmaps/id/9681/rec/6 |title = 1993-94 North Carolina Transportation Map |author = North Carolina Department of Transportation |year = 1993 |location = Raleigh |edition = 1993-94 |accessdate = April 8, 2016 }}

In 1989, work began on a renovating the {{convert|35|mi|km|adj=on}} stretch between Alamance and Orange counties, included in this work was widening it from four to eight lanes. The work was carried out in phases. This was a part of a previous renovation in the 1960s, that transformed the original Super-2, which was also originally constructed for US 70, to Interstate standards, though experiencing the flaws from the preliminary era of those standards. By 1996, it had been competed at the cost of $175 million.(equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|175000000|1996}}}} in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP}}){{cite news |agency = Associated Press |title = I-85 Traffic Flow May Be Smoother |work = The Charlotte Observer |date = December 16, 1988 |page = 5B }}{{cite news |title = North Carolina: Wider I-85 Recommended |work = The Charlotte Observer |date = January 27, 1988 |page = 2B }}{{cite news |title = NC Interstate Widenings Make Road Ahead Rocky |work = The Charlotte Observer |date = March 14, 1990 |page = 2C }}{{cite news |first = David A. |last = Hall |title = Interstate 40/85 Freeway Isn't Free of Construction |newspaper = Greensboro News & Record |date = November 23, 1994 |page = A1 }} By 1997, Interstate 40 in Greensboro between west of the infamous former Interstate 85 split, to Wendover Avenue, was renovated to most of the same standards, as the other Piedmont renovations.

In December 2004, a {{convert|10.6|mi|km|adj=on}} widening project was completed from US 15/US 501 (exit 270) in Durham to NC 147 (now I-885/NC 885; exit 279) in RTP. The project expanded lanes from four to six lanes.{{cite news |last = Siceloff |first = Bruce |title = 3rd lane set to open on I-40 E. in Durham |newspaper = The News & Observer |location = Raleigh, NC |date = December 14, 2004 |page = B1 }} In March 2005, construction crews returned for eight weeks to replace asphalt used in the widening project, which began to deteriorate not long after the lanes opened to the public.{{cite news |author = |title = Fix will shut part of I-40 for 8 weeks |newspaper = The News & Observer |location = Raleigh, NC |date = December 14, 2004 |page = B4 }} The paving mistakes, however, were more severe, and NCDOT contracted Lane Construction Corp to replace all the bad concrete used in the botch widening project, at a cost of $21.7 million (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|21700000|2005}}}} in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP}}).{{cite news |last = Siceloff |first = Bruce |title = DOT gets earful on I-40 repair costs |newspaper = The News & Observer |location = Raleigh, NC |date = December 14, 2004 |page = B3 }}{{cite news |last = Siceloff |first = Bruce |title = I-40's bad concrete gone; lanes open for now |newspaper = The News & Observer |location = Raleigh, NC |date = December 14, 2004 |page = B1 }}

File:I-40W 2012 Rockslide Cleanup.jpg

The first section of I-40 in North Carolina is the section that travels through the Pigeon River Gorge in Haywood County. Known locally as simply "The Gorge", this part of I-40 cuts a path from the Tennessee state line to Waynesville. This section of the Interstate is curvy and tends to become a bit narrow in some places when compared to other portions of the highway. Because much of the road was cut through mountainside and along the river, concrete retaining walls have been built on both sides of the road and in the median, cutting down on the width of the breakdown lanes. Coupled with speeding vehicles, the thick fog that tends to plague the area, winter weather, and little room to maneuver in case of accident, this area has become notorious for its severe and many times fatal accidents being twice the average of any other Interstate Highway in North Carolina.{{cite news |url = http://www.smokymountainnews.com/issues/11_03/11_19_03/fr_hwy_safety.html |title = Highway Safety not Always a Priority: Stepped-Up Enforcement Could Save Lives |first = Becky |last = Johnson |work = The Smoky Mountain News |location = Waynesville, NC |access-date = May 20, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120208144520/http://www.smokymountainnews.com/issues/11_03/11_19_03/fr_hwy_safety.html |archive-date = February 8, 2012 }} Even some minor accidents have been known to tie up traffic in this area because there is little room to move accidents off or to the side of the road with the terrain. Speeding semitrucks have led to many accidents. In 2001 and 2003, two state troopers were killed in two separate accidents by speeding trucks that drifted off the road and hit their police car conducting a traffic stop. This led the North Carolina State Highway Patrol to crack down on speeding tractor trailers and speeders in general through the area.{{Cite web |last=North Carolina Department of Transportation |date=March 7, 2002 |title=Resolution for Trooper Calvin E. Taylor |url=https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/gisdot/DOTHD/bios/ACT_Resolution_Trooper_Calvin_E_Taylor%20.pdf |access-date=April 17, 2024 |website=CEO_KM_C754e-20160824073659}}{{Cite web |title=Trooper killed in I-40 crash |url=https://www.starnewsonline.com/story/news/2003/05/31/trooper-killed-in-i-40-crash/30518272007/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Wilmington Star-News |language=en-US}} This portion of the highway is also notorious for rockslides and rocks falling onto the highway. The main cause is that sections of the highway have been built on the north side of the Pigeon River, where the rock stratums foliate toward the highway.{{Cite web |last=Hyatt |first=Vicki |date=2012-01-31 |title=The early history of the Pigeon River Road (I-40) in Haywood County |url=https://www.themountaineer.com/news/the-early-history-of-the-pigeon-river-road-i-40-in-haywood-county/article_f210c81b-4fdf-56fc-b499-a603ea8770a6.html |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=The Mountaineer |language=en}} In 1985, a severe rockslide buried the westbound entrance to one of two tunnels that carry the highway through the gorge. Repair of the slide area and the tunnel required shifting westbound traffic to the eastbound tunnel, while eastbound traffic was diverted onto a temporary viaduct around the tunnels.{{Cite web |last=Setzer |first=Joel |date=February 13, 2012 |title=I-40 Rock Slides, Haywood County |url=https://webservices.ncleg.gov/ViewDocSiteFile/25313 |access-date=April 5, 2024 |website=North Carolina Department of Transportation |pages=7–8}} In July 1997, a rockslide near the Tennessee state line closed the entire road for nearly three months.{{cite report |last = Tolbert |first = Eric L. |date = August 6, 1998 |url = http://www.dem.dcc.state.nc.us/PIO/97report.PDF |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080626055016/http://www.dem.dcc.state.nc.us/PIO/97report.PDF |archive-date = June 26, 2008 |title = 1997 Annual Report |publisher = North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety Division of Emergency Management |access-date = July 6, 2014 }} In 2009, a large rockslide at milemarker 2.6 along I-40 near the Tennessee state line shut down the freeway for several weeks. While the slide only caused minor injuries, it shut down I-40 in both directions.{{cite news |last = Hickman |first = Hayes |url = http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2010/apr/25/section-of-i-40-back-open-after-oct-slide/ |title = Section of I-40 Closed Since Oct. Rockslide Reopens |work = Knoxville News Sentinel |date = April 25, 2010 |access-date = September 19, 2011 |archive-date = October 4, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121004095435/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2010/apr/25/section-of-i-40-back-open-after-oct-slide/ |url-status = live }}{{cite press release |url = https://apps.dot.state.nc.us/pio/releases/details.aspx?r=5969 |archive-url = https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20120920085609/https://apps.ncdot.gov/NewsReleases/details.aspx?r=5969 |url-status = dead |archive-date = September 20, 2012 |title = Interstate 40 West Closed at Exit 20 in North Carolina Near Tennessee Border Due to Rockslide in Tennessee |access-date = February 4, 2012 |author = Staff |date = January 31, 2012 |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation }}{{cite news |url = http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/16660599/tdot-i-40-should-reopen-by-monday-after-rockslide |title = TDOT: I-40 should reopen by Monday following rockslide |access-date = February 4, 2012 |last = Vaughn |first = Casey |date = January 31, 2012 |publisher = WHNS-TV |location = Greenville, SC |archive-date = February 24, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140224121743/http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/16660599/tdot-i-40-should-reopen-by-monday-after-rockslide |url-status = dead }}{{cite news |url = http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/10685644/ |title = Rock Slide Occurs on Closed Section of I-40 |access-date = February 4, 2012 |last = Burns |first = Matthew |date = February 3, 2012 |publisher = WRAL-TV |location = Raleigh, NC |archive-date = February 5, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120205094830/http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/10685644/ |url-status = live }}{{cite press release |url = https://apps.dot.state.nc.us/pio/releases/details.aspx?r=5996 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20121224124107/https://apps.dot.state.nc.us/pio/releases/details.aspx?r=5996 |url-status = dead |archive-date = December 24, 2012 |title = Crews Make Progress Cleaning Up Rockslide on I-40 West in North Carolina |access-date = February 4, 2012 |author = Staff |date = February 4, 2012 |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation }}

File:Greensboro road signs.jpg

In February 2008, I-40 was relocated onto the southern section Greensboro Urban Loop, marking the first change to I-40 since it was rerouted onto the Winston-Salem Bypass in 1992. At a cost of $122 million (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|122000000|2008}}}} in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP}}), the relocation to the Greensboro Urban Loop was constructed by Archer Western Contractors of Atlanta and took four years to complete. NCDOT Secretary Lyndo Tippett said that "the opening of the Greensboro Western Urban Loop is a major step in improving the mobility of the Triad region" and that "the highway will provide better access for motorists in and around Greensboro, as well as those traveling between the eastern and western areas of our state". The new routing was placed in concurrency with I-73, while its original alignment became an extension of former I-40 Bus.{{cite press release |url = https://apps.ncdot.gov/NewsReleases/details.aspx?r=1577 |title = NCDOT to open I-40/73 Greensboro Western Urban Loop Thursday |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |location = Raleigh |date = February 19, 2008 |access-date = April 8, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160419200450/https://apps.ncdot.gov/NewsReleases/details.aspx?r=1577 |archive-date = April 19, 2016 |url-status = dead }} The glowing sentiment the NCDOT secretary gave on the new I-40 routing was not reciprocated, however. NCDOT received many complaints by local residents and motorists on the confusion between "Blue" 40 and "Green" 40. Greensboro residents also had concerns with the resulting increased traffic and noise. On September 12, 2008, seven months after the initial switch and in agreement with Greensboro DOT and the FHWA, I-40 was rerouted to its original route through the city, I-40 Bus. was decommissioned, and I-73 and I-85 were left as the only Interstates signed along the loop. Exit numbers on the western segment of the loop were to be replaced with I-73 exit numbers; while exit numbers along I-40 Bus. would be changed over to I-40 exit numbers.{{ cite press release |url=https://apps.dot.state.nc.us/pio/releases/details.aspx?r=1854 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121224201107/https://apps.dot.state.nc.us/pio/releases/details.aspx?r=1854 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 24, 2012 |title=NCDOT will reroute I-40 from Greensboro Urban Loop to Original Location |publisher=North Carolina Department of Transportation |location=Raleigh |date=September 12, 2008 |access-date=April 8, 2016 }} At a cost around $300,000 (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|300000|2009|r=-3}}}} in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP}}), all signage was replaced by July 1, 2009.{{cite news |author = |url = http://www.wral.com/traffic/story/3550101/ |title = DOT to spend at least $300K to reroute I-40 in Greensboro |access-date = April 8, 2016 |date = September 15, 2008 |publisher = WRAL-TV |location = Raleigh, NC |archive-date = April 24, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160424012718/http://www.wral.com/traffic/story/3550101/ |url-status = live }}{{cite news |url = http://www.news14.com/content/local_news/triad/609062/signing-changes-coming-to-interstate-40/Default.aspx |location = Raleigh, NC |publisher = News 14 Carolina |title = Signing Changes Coming to I-40 |date = May 11, 2009 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} In November 2009, US 421 was rerouted onto the Urban Loop, replacing most of I-40's brief alignment around Greensboro.{{AASHTO minutes |year=2009A |page=3 |access-date=April 8, 2016}}{{cite web |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/2009_11_23c.pdf |title = Route Change (2009-11-23) |date = November 23, 2009 |access-date = April 8, 2016 |archive-date = October 7, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161007144245/https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/2009_11_23c.pdf |url-status = live }} The current alignment of I-40 is {{convert|4|mi|km|spell=in}} shorter than the 2008 Urban Loop routing and is the quicker route for any vehicle consistently traveling at the posted speed limits.

In 2011, an {{convert|8|mi|km|adj=on|spell=in}} widening project was completed between Harrison Avenue (exit 287) and Gorman Street (exit 295). At a cost of $49 million (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|49000000|2011}}}} in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP}}), the project expanded lanes from four to six lanes.{{cite news |url = http://www.wral.com/traffic/story/9495355/ |title = I-40 widening project almost done |access-date = April 8, 2016 |last = Burns |first = Matthew |date = April 25, 2011 |publisher = WRAL-TV |location = Raleigh, NC |archive-date = May 2, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160502134843/http://www.wral.com/traffic/story/9495355/ |url-status = live }}

Begun in 2013, an extensive project known as "Fortify" (a play on the route number "40") overhauled I-40 along the southern edge of Raleigh, from the I-40/US 1/US 64 interchange (exit 293) near Crossroads Plaza in Cary through the I-40/I-440 split (exit 301) in Southeast Raleigh, including the easternmost {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}} of I-440 as well. The project necessitated a complete teardown and rebuild of the roadway, widening of the roadway, rehabilitation and widening of bridges and overpasses along the entire route, and extension and widening of several highly congested exit and entrance ramps.{{cite web |title = Project Fortify |url = https://www.ncdot.gov/fortifync/about/ |website = ncdot.com |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |access-date = September 9, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160814225707/https://www.ncdot.gov/fortifync/about/ |archive-date = August 14, 2016 |url-status = dead }} The project was divided into two phases, the first (completed in mid-2015) was a rebuilding and repaving of I-40 and I-440 from I-40 exit 301 to I-440 exit 14. The second phase, completed in late 2018, was the more extensive rebuild of I-40 from exit 293 to exit 301.

In Statesville, the I-40/I-77 interchange (exit 152), originally built as a cloverleaf in the late 1960s, was upgraded to increase capacity and improve safety. The initial estimated cost for the entire project is $251 million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|251000000|2012}}}} in {{Inflation/year|index=US-GDP}}{{Inflation/fn|index=US-GDP}}) with construction started in March 2012.{{cite web |url = http://www.ncdot.gov/projects/search/details.html#id=1111 |title = NCDOT: Project I-3819 |access-date = November 1, 2011 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111029193045/http://www.ncdot.gov/projects/search/details.html |archive-date = October 29, 2011 }}{{cite news |url = http://www.wsoctv.com/news/28420901/detail.html |title = DOT Report: Interchange At I-40, I-77 To Cost $250M |location = Charlotte, NC |publisher = WSOC-TV |access-date = November 1, 2011 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110703215053/http://www.wsoctv.com/news/28420901/detail.html |archive-date = July 3, 2011 }} The first phase, completed in mid-2019, involved the widening of I-40 from four to six lanes. The second phase, begun in 2020, involves a similar widening of I-77 and the reconstruction of the interchange into a partial turbine interchange. The original completion date was supposed to be late 2022. The completion date was rescheduled to late 2023.{{Cite web |title=NCDOT: I-40/77 Interchange Improvements |url=https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/i40-i77-interchange/Pages/default.aspx |access-date=2024-04-06 |website=NCDOT |language=en-US}} The $260-million project, including widening of a total of {{Convert|7.5|mi|km}} of both highways to eight lanes, was essentially completed December 22, 2023, with all lanes opened, but cold weather delayed further resurfacing and pavement markings to spring 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/article283427228.html|title=All lanes of the I-77 'whirlpool' in Statesville open just in time for holiday travel|last=Marusak|first=Joe|access-date=December 23, 2023|work=The Charlotte Observer|date=December 22, 2023|archive-date=December 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224090753/https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/article283427228.html|url-status=live}}

File:I-40 Damage.jpg between Clyde and Newport]]

Begun in late 2018 after the completion of the Fortify project to widen I-40 through South Raleigh, the section of I-40 between the I-40/I-440 split (exit 301) and NC 42 (exit 312) is being widened. As part of the widening project, many of the overpasses along the route are being reconstructed, both to accommodate the wider road underneath and to expand capacity of the roads passing overhead. An onramp was removed at exit 306 (US 70) in November 2019 in order to accommodate the wider roadway. Traffic that normally used a free-flowing loop ramp is now routed through a left-turn traffic light to access the other onramp. Exit 312 (NC 42) is being rebuilt entirely as a diverging diamond interchange, and an additional ramp is being built at that exit to provide access to Cleveland Road. Additionally, the interchange at exit 309 for US 70 (Clayton Bypass) is being expanded to also including the future NC 540/Triangle Expressway. In December 2020, a new overhead flyover ramp between I-440 east and I-40 east was opened, replacing the older ramp to allow for the wider freeway underneath.{{cite web |title = Beltline Flyover to I-40 East to Close This Weekend |url = https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2020/2020-12-09-shift-new-flyover-i-440-east-i-40-east.aspx |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |access-date = December 17, 2020 |date = December 9, 2020 |archive-date = December 10, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201210002815/https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2020/2020-12-09-shift-new-flyover-i-440-east-i-40-east.aspx |url-status = live }} The project was expected to be completed to exit 309 by 2023 while the I-40/NC 42 interchange rebuild expected to be completed by 2024.{{cite web |title = I-40 Widening - Southeast Raleigh to Clayton |url = https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/i40-nc42/Pages/default.aspx |website = NCDOT.com |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |accessdate = February 28, 2022 |archive-date = March 19, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220319040651/https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/i40-nc42/Pages/default.aspx |url-status = live }} The new lanes between the Raleigh Beltline and the Clayton Bypass were opened to traffic in April 2023.{{cite news |title=Years-long effort to widen I-40 south of Raleigh reached a milestone this week |url=https://www.aol.com/news/years-long-effort-widen-40-135500369.html |access-date=April 27, 2023 |work=www.aol.com |date=April 26, 2023 |archive-date=April 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427170301/https://www.aol.com/news/years-long-effort-widen-40-135500369.html |url-status=live }}

Damage from Hurricane Helene in 2024 washed away the eastbound lanes in the Pigeon River Gorge in several places resulting in a complete closure.{{Cite news |last=Stradling |first=Richard |date=October 4, 2024 |title='Gone.' The main route through the NC mountains will take a long time to rebuild |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article293304069.html |work=Raleigh News & Observer}} While crews worked to stabilize what was left, plans were made to put all traffic on the westbound lanes by the start of 2025, but further damage has delayed this action.{{Cite news |last=Stradling |first=Richard |date=December 20, 2024 |title=Reopening of I-40 in Western NC delayed after another section of the road collapses |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article297400333.html |work=Raleigh News & Observer}} The road reopened March 1 with one lane in each direction and a 35 MPH speed limit.{{Cite news |last=Moshtaghian |first=Artemis |date=March 1, 2025 |title=Stretch of I-40 reopens in North Carolina, marking a milestone in post-Helene recovery |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/01/us/north-carolina-i40-reopens-helene/index.html |work=CNN}} The cost of rebuilding has been estimated at $750 million to $1 billion, based on the least expensive of the plans considered. Work on the permanent replacement of the eastbound lanes, including a wall along the river, is expected to start in March and take two years to complete.{{Cite news |last=Nielsen |first=Paul |date=February 15, 2025 |url=https://www.themountaineer.com/news/i-40-repairs-to-take-at-least-two-years-wall-to-be-built-from-the/article_a5d68d38-de70-11ef-babf-53b40dcec12d.html |title=I-40 repairs to take at least two years; wall to be built from the bottom up |work=The Mountaineer}}

Part of the Asheville I-26 Connector project in Asheville involves improvements to I-40 from east of the bridge over the French Broad River to just west of the US 23/US 19/US 74A interchange. The improvements will widen the freeway, improve the interchanges with US 23/US 19/US 74A, I-240/I-26/US 74, and NC 191, and reconstruct bridges. Part of the project has started, but more funding will be needed to complete it.{{cite web |url= http://www.ncdot.gov/projects/i26connector/ |title= I-26 Connector, Asheville, NC |work= Project Details |publisher= North Carolina Department of Transportation |access-date=December 14, 2013}} Further widening of the interstate west of that area to NC 215 is also planned, but not funded.{{cite web |url=https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/planning/STIPDocuments1/NCDOT%20Current%20STIP.pdf |title=2024-2033 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) |publisher=North Carolina Department of Transportation |date=January 2024 |access-date=February 2, 2024 }}

Another widening project along I-40 is in development stage, between milemarkers 259 and 279 in Orange and Durham counties. After some initial delays due to noise concerns through populated areas and two public comment meetings, the project is currently in the right-of-way acquisition phase, and construction was scheduled to begin around 2022; NCDOT, however, has suspended engineering activities for the project.{{cite web |title = I-3306A: I-40 Widening - Orange County |url = https://publicinput.com/I-40-Orange-County |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |access-date = December 17, 2020 |archive-date = August 4, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200804074110/https://publicinput.com/I-40-Orange-County |url-status = live }}{{Cite web |title=I-3306A: I-40 Widening - Orange County - PublicInput |url=https://publicinput.com/I-40-Orange-County |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=publicinput.com |language=en}}

Another widening project along I-40 is also in the development stage between the I-440/US 1/US 64 interchange (exit 293) and the Lake Wheeler Road interchange (exit 297). The project, which will add one or two lanes to this portion of the Interstate, will also include a redesign of the former interchange. Construction is expected to begin in 2025 at a cost of $68.8 million.{{cite news |last1=Shrader |first1=Brian |title=NCDOT plans to redesign 440 interchange, widen I-40 in Raleigh in 2025 |url=https://www.wral.com/story/ncdot-plans-to-redesign-440-interchange-widen-i-40-raleigh-2025/20766973/ |access-date=May 13, 2023 |work=WRAL.com |date=March 16, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=May 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513225643/https://www.wral.com/story/ncdot-plans-to-redesign-440-interchange-widen-i-40-raleigh-2025/20766973/ |url-status=live }}

{{jcttop|exit|length_ref=}}

{{NCint|exit

|county=Haywood

|cspan=8

|location=none

|mile=0.0

|road={{Jct|state=TN|I|40|dir1=West|city1=Knoxville}}

|notes=Continuation into Tennessee}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|mile=6.7

|exit=7

|road=Cold Springs Creek Road – Harmon Den}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|mile=14.8

|exit=15

|road=Fines Creek Road}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Cove Creek

|mile=20.5

|exit=20

|notes=Northern terminus of US 276

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|276|dir1=south|city1=Waynesville|city2=Maggie Valley}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|mile=24.2

|exit=24

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|209|city1=Lake Junaluska|city2=Hot Springs}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|type=concur

|mile=27.3

|exit=27

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|19|US|23|US|74|dir3=west|city1=Clyde|city2=Waynesville}}

|notes=West end of US 74 overlap}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Canton

|lspan=2

|mile=31.2

|exit=31

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|215|city1=Canton}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=33.2

|exit=33

|road=Newfound Road – Canton}}

{{NCint|exit

|county=Buncombe

|cspan=15

|location=none

|mile=37.4

|exit=37

|road=Wiggins Road – Candler, East Canton}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|type=unbuilt

|mile=41.9

|exit=42

|road=Liberty Road

|notes=Future interchange; construction scheduled to begin in 2025{{cite news|url=https://wlos.com/news/local/long-awaited-candler-area-i-40-exit-project-progresses-despite-challenges-concerns-state-rep-lindsey-prather-liberty-road|title=Long-awaited Candler area I-40 exit project progresses despite challenges, concerns|access-date=August 26, 2024|last=Petithomme|first=Neydja|date=March 28, 2024|work=ABC 13|location=Candler, North Carolina}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Asheville

|lspan=9

|mile=44.3

|exit=44

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|19|US|23|US|74A|dir3=east|city1=West Asheville|city2=Enka|city3=Candler}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|type=concur

|mile=45.9

|mspan=2

|exit=46A

|road={{jct|state=NC|I|26|US|74|dir2=east|city1=Hendersonville|location2=Spartanburg}}

|notes=East end of US 74 overlap; no eastbound entrance; westbound left exit}}

{{NCint|exit

|type=incomplete

|mile=none

|exit=46B

|road={{jct|state=NC|Future|26|I|240|dir1=west|dir2=east|city1=Asheville|location2=Johnson City}}

|notes=No westbound exit; eastbound left exit}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=46.7

|exit=47

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|191|city1=West Asheville}}

|notes=To Farmers Market}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=50.2

|exit=50

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|25|city1=South Asheville|city2=Biltmore House}}

|notes=Signed as exits 50A (south) and 50B (north) westbound}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=51.3

|exit=51

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|25A|city1=Asheville}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=52.8

|mspan=2

|exit=53A

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|74A|dir1=east|BRP|city1=Bat Cave}}

|notes=}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=none

|exit=53B

|road={{jct|state=NC|I|240|US|74A|dir2=west|city1=East Asheville}}

|notes=}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=55.1

|exit=55

|road={{jct|state=NC|to1=To|US|70|city1=East Asheville}}

|notes=To VA Hospital}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|mile=58.8

|exit=59

|road=Patton Cove Road – Swannanoa}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Black Mountain

|lspan=2

|mile=63.8

|exit=64

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|9|city1=Black Mountain|city2=Montreat}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|type=concur

|mile=64.8

|exit=65

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|70|dir1=west|city1=Black Mountain}}

|notes=West end of US 70 overlap; westbound exit and eastbound entrance}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|mile=65.7

|exit=66

|road=Dunsmore Avenue – Ridgecrest}}

{{NCint|exit

|county=McDowell

|cspan=8

|location=Old Fort

|lspan=3

|type=concur

|mile=71.4

|exit=72

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|70|dir1=east|city1=Old Fort}}

|notes=To Mount Mitchell; East end of US 70 overlap; eastbound exit and westbound entrance}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=72.4

|exit=73

|road=Catawaba Avenue – Old Fort}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=74.8

|exit=75

|road=Parker Padgett Road}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Marion

|lspan=4

|mile=81.2

|exit=81

|road=Sugar Hill Road – Marion}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=83.4

|exit=83

|road=Ashworth Road}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=84.6

|exit=85

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|221|city1=Marion|city2=Rutherfordton}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=86.3

|exit=86

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|226|city1=Marion|city2=Shelby}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|mile=89.8

|exit=90

|road=Harmony Grove Road – Nebo, Lake James}}

{{NCint|exit

|county=Burke

|cspan=15

|location=none

|mile=94.1

|exit=94

|road=Dysartsville Road}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|mile=95.8

|exit=96

|road=Kathy Road}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Glen Alpine

|lspan=2

|mile=97.5

|exit=98

|road=Causby Road – Glen Alpine}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=99.5

|exit=100

|road=Jamestown Road / Dixie Boulevard – Glen Alpine}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Morganton

|lspan=3

|mile=102.9

|exit=103

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|64|city1=Morganton|city2=Rutherfordton}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=104.1

|exit=104

|road=Enola Road}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=105.1

|exit=105

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|18|city1=Morganton|city2=Shelby}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|mile=106.2

|exit=106

|road=Bethel Road}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|mile=107.4

|exit=107

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|114|city1=Drexel}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Valdese

|lspan=2

|mile=110.7

|exit=111

|road=Abees Grove Church Road / Milestone Avenue – Valdese}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=111.4

|exit=112

|road=Mineral Springs Mountain Road – Valdese}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Rutherford College

|mile=112.3

|exit=113

|road=Rutherford College Road / Malcom Boulevard – Connelly Springs, Rutherford College}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Icard

|mile=116.2

|exit=116

|road=Old NC 10 – Icard}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Hildebran

|lspan=2

|mile=117.9

|exit=118

|road=Old NC 10}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=118.8

|exit=119

|road=Henry River Road / Center Street – Henry River, Hildebran

|notes=Signed as exits 119A (Henry River) and 119B (Hildebran) eastbound}}

{{NCint|exit

|county=Catawba

|cspan=12

|location=Long View

|mile=120.6

|exit=121

|road=33rd Street – Long View}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Hickory

|lspan=4

|mile=122.8

|mspan=2

|exit=123A

|road={{Jct|state=NC|US|321|dir1=South|to2=To|NC|127|city1=Lincolnton|city2=Gastonia}}

|notes=Cloverleaf interchange with Collector/distributor roadways}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=none

|exit=123B

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|321|dir1=North|to2=to|US|70|city1=Hickory|city2=Lenoir|city3=Boone}}

|notes=To Appalachian State University and Hickory Regional Airport}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=125.1

|exit=125

|road=Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard – Hickory

|notes=To Lenoir-Rhyne University}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=126.2

|exit=126

|road={{jct|state=NC|to1=To|US|70|city1=Hickory|city2=Newton}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Conover

|lspan=5

|mile=128.1

|exit=128

|road=Fairgrove Church Road

|notes=To Hickory Motor Speedway}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=130.2

|exit=130

|road=Old US 70}}

{{NCint|exit

|type=closed

|mile=131.1

|exit=131

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|16}}

|notes=Permanently closed by 2008.}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=131.6

|exit=132

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|16|city1=Newton|city2=Conover|city3=Taylorsville}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=132.6

|exit=133

|road=Rock Barn Road}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Claremont

|mile=134.3

|exit=135

|road=Oxford Street – Claremont}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Catawba

|mile=138.1

|exit=138

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|10|dir1=west|name1=Oxford School Road|city1=Catawba}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|county=Iredell

|cspan=10

|location=none

|mile=140.4

|exit=141

|road=Sharon School Road}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|mile=144.0

|exit=144

|road=Old Mountain Road – West Iredell}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|mile=145.4

|exit=146

|road=Stamey Farm Road}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Statesville

|lspan=6

|mile=147.7

|exit=148

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|64|NC|90|city1=West Statesville|city2=Taylorsville}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=149.5

|exit=150

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|115|city1=Downtown Statesville|city2=North Wilkesboro}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=151.2

|exit=151

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|21|city1=East Statesville|city2=Harmony}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=152.0

|exit=152

|road={{jct|state=NC|I|77|city1=Charlotte|location2=Wytheville}}

|notes=Signed as exits 152A (south) and 152B (north); I-77 exit 51}}

{{NCint|exit

|type=closed

|mile=152.9

|exit=153

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|64|city1=Statesville}}

|notes=Permanently closed as of October 1, 2012; was an eastbound exit and westbound entrance{{cite news |url = http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/09/24/3543946/i-40-exit-will-close-as-part-of.html |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130119024802/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/09/24/3543946/i-40-exit-will-close-as-part-of.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = January 19, 2013 |title = I-40 Exit Will Close as Part of Interchange Improvements |access-date = October 1, 2012 |last = Vieser |first = Dave |date = September 24, 2012 |work = Charlotte Observer }}{{cite news |url = http://www2.statesville.com/news/2012/sep/19/part-greenway-trail-close-until-2015-exit-153-elim-ar-2621798/ |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130203074718/http://www2.statesville.com/news/2012/sep/19/part-greenway-trail-close-until-2015-exit-153-elim-ar-2621798/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = February 3, 2013 |title = Part of Greenway Trail to Close until 2015; Exit 153 Eliminated |access-date = October 1, 2012 |last = Spencer |first = Preston |date = September 19, 2012 |work = Statesville Record & Landmark }}}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=153.7

|exit=154

|road={{jct|state=NC|to2=To|US|64|name1=Old Mocksville Road}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|mile=161.8

|exit=162

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|64}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|county=Davie

|cspan=4

|location=Mocksville

|lspan=2

|mile=167.8

|exit=168

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|64|city1=Mocksville}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=169.5

|exit=170

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|601|city1=Mocksville|city2=Yadkinville}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|mile=173.5

|exit=174

|road=Farmington Road}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|mile=179.8

|exit=180

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|801|city1=Bermuda Run}}, Tanglewood

|notes=Signed as exits 180A (south) and 180B (north) Westbound}}

{{NCint|exit

|county=Forsyth

|cspan=14

|location=Clemmons

|lspan=2

|mile=182.1

|exit=182

|road=Harper Road – Tanglewood, Bermuda Run}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=183.5

|exit=184

|road=Lewisville–Clemmons Road – Lewisville, Clemmons}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Winston-Salem

|lspan=9

|type=incomplete

|mile=187.7

|exit=188

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|421|name1=Salem Parkway|city1=Downtown Winston-Salem|city2=Yadkinville}}

|notes=No access from US 421 south to I-40 west; eastbound left exit}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=188.6

|exit=189

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|158|name1=Stratford Road}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|type=incomplete

|mile=189.3

|exit=190

|road=Hanes Mall Boulevard

|notes=Westbound exit and eastbound entrance}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=191.3

|exit=192

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|150|name1=Peters Creek Parkway|city1=Downtown Winston-Salem}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|type=incomplete

|mile=192.5

|exit=193C

|road=Silas Creek Parkway, South Main Street

|notes=Westbound exit and eastbound entrance}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=193.2

|mspan=2

|exit=193A

|road={{Jct|state=NC|I|285|dir1=South|US|52|dir2=South|NC|8|dir3=South|city1=Lexington}}

|notes=}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=none

|exit=193B

|road={{Jct|state=NC|US|52|dir1=North|NC|8|dir2=north|city1=Mount Airy}}

|notes=}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=194.3

|exit=195

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|109|road|Clemmonsville Road|city1=Thomasville}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=195.9

|exit=196

|road={{Jct|state=NC|I|74|dir1=east|city1=High Point}}

|notes=Future NC 192; I-74 will be rerouted onto a new alignment once construction is complete}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|type=unbuilt

|mile=

|exit=198

|road={{Jct|state=NC|I|74|name1=Winston-Salem Beltway}}

|notes=Future interchange (Construction started in Spring 2022; completion date November 2026){{cite web |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/planning/STIResults/H129625-AB.pdf |title = SPOT ID: H129625-AB |date = May 30, 2014 |access-date = August 31, 2014 |archive-date = September 3, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140903133228/https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/planning/STIResults/H129625-AB.pdf |url-status = live }}{{cite map |publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation |url = https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/U-2579%20Project%20Breakdown%20131126.pdf |format = PDF |title = U-2579 Project Breakdown |date = November 26, 2013 |access-date = August 31, 2014 |archive-date = July 30, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140730060021/https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/U-2579%20Project%20Breakdown%20131126.pdf |url-status = live }}}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Kernersville

|lspan=2

|mile=200.7

|exit=201

|road=Union Cross Road

|notes=Diverging diamond interchange}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=203.5

|exit=203

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|66|city1=Kernersville|city2=High Point|road|Regional Road}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|county=Guilford

|cspan=19

|location=Colfax

|type=concur

|mile=206.4

|exit=206

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|421|name1=Salem Parkway|dir1=north|city1=Downtown Winston-Salem|city2=Kernersville}}

|notes=North end of US 421 overlap; westbound exit and eastbound entrance}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Greensboro

|lspan=18

|mile=207.4

|exit=208

|road=Sandy Ridge Road}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=209.7

|exit=210

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|68|city1=High Point|location2=Piedmont Triad International Airport}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=210.7

|exit=211

|road=Gallimore Dairy Road

|notes=SP Diamond Interchange}}

{{NCint|exit

|type=concur

|mile=212.1

|mspan=2

|exit=212A

|road={{jct|state=NC|I|73|US|421|I|85|dir2=south|to3=to|city1=Asheboro}}

|notes=Eastbound left exit; south end of US 421 overlap; I-85 signed eastbound}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=none

|exit=212B

|road={{jct|state=NC|I|73|I|840|dir1=north|dir2=east|location1=PTI-GSO Airport|location2=Martinsville}}

|notes=}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=213.0

|exit=213

|road=Guilford College Road}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=213.8

|exit=214

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|70|name1=Wendover Avenue}}

|notes=Signed as exits 214A (west) and 214B (east) eastbound}}

{{NCint|exit

|type=incomplete

|mile=215.3

|exit=216

|road=Patterson Street

|notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=216.8

|exit=217

|road=Gate City Boulevard, Koury Boulevard}}

{{NCint|exit

|type=concur

|mile=218.2

|exit=218

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|220|dir1=south|city1=Asheboro|road|Freeman Mill Road}}

|notes=West end of US 220 overlap; signed as exits 218A (US 220) and 218B (Freeman Mill Road)}}

{{NCint|exit

|type=concur

|mile=219.0

|exit=219

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|29|dir1=south|city1=Charlotte}}

|notes=South end of US 29 overlap}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=219.3

|exit=220

|road=Randleman Road}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=219.9

|exit=221

|road=South Elm-Eugene Street – Downtown Greensboro}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=221.0

|exit=222

|road=Martin Luther King Jr. Drive}}

{{NCint|exit

|type=concur

|mile=221.1

|exit=223

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|29|dir1=north|US|220|dir2=north|city1=Reidsville}}

|notes=North end of US 29/US 220 overlap; northbound exit and southbound entrance}}

{{NCint|exit

|type=

|mile=223.3

|exit=224

|road=Gate City Boulevard, Lee Street

|notes=To Bennett College, UNC Greensboro, A&T University and Greensboro College}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=225.7

|exit=226

|road=McConnell Road}}

{{NCint|exit

|type=concur

|mile=226.5

|exit=227

|road={{jct|state=NC|I|85|I|785|I|840|dir1=south|dir2=north|dir3=west|location1=Danville|city2=Charlotte}}

|notes=South end of I-85 overlap}}

{{jctgap|text=I-40 overlaps with Interstate 85 (exits 131 to 163)}}

{{NCint|exit

|county=Orange

|cspan=4

|location=Hillsborough

|lspan=4

|type=concur

|mile=258.3

|exit=259

|road={{jct|state=NC|I|85|dir1=north|city1=Durham}}

|notes=North end of I-85 overlap}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=260.8

|exit=261

|road=Old NC Highway 86 – Hillsborough}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=262.9

|exit=263

|road=New Hope Church Road}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=265.8

|exit=266

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|86|city1=Chapel Hill|city2=Hillsborough}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|county=Durham

|cspan=11

|location=Chapel Hill

|lspan=2

|mile=269.9

|exit=270

|road={{Jct|state=NC|US|15|US|501|city1=Chapel Hill|city2=Durham}}

|notes=}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=272.7

|exit=273

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|54|city1=Chapel Hill|city2=Durham}}

|notes=Signed as exits 273A (west) and 273B (east) westbound}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Durham

|lspan=3

|mile=274.2

|exit=274

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|751|city1=Jordan Lake}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=275.6

|exit=276

|road=Fayetteville Road  – Southpoint, North Carolina Central University

|notes=SP Diamond Interchange}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=277.8

|exit=278

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|55|to2=to|NC|54|city1=Apex}}}}

{{Jctint|exit

|type=toll

|location_special=Research Triangle Park

|lspan=3

|mile=279.1

|mspan=2

|exit=279A

|road={{Jct|state=NC|NC-Toll|885|dir1=South|name1=Triangle Expressway|city1=Morrisville}}

|notes=}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=none

|exit=279B

|road={{jct|state=NC|I|885|to2=To|NC|147|dir1=North|name1=Durham Freeway|location1=Downtown Durham}}

|notes=}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=280.1

|exit=280

|road=Davis Drive}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Durham

|lspan=3

|mile=280.8

|exit=281

|road=Miami Boulevard}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=281.4

|exit=282

|road=Page Road}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=282.3

|exit=283

|road={{jct|state=NC|I|540|NC|540|NC-Toll|540|US|1|dir1=east|dir2=west|to3=to|dir4=south|location1=North Raleigh}}

|notes=Signed westbound as exits 283A (East I-540) and 283B (West NC 540); I-540 exit 1}}

{{NCint|exit

|county=Wake

|cspan=18

|location=Morrisville

|mile=283.5

|exit=284

|road=Airport Boulevard – RDU International Airport

|notes=Signed eastbound as exits 284A (west) and 284B (east); under conversion into Diverging diamond interchange.{{cite news |title='Diverging diamond' coming to I-40 interchange south of Raleigh. What drivers should know |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/traffic/article277259168.html |access-date=July 14, 2023 |work=The News&Observer |date=July 14, 2023 |archive-date=December 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224090750/https://www.newsobserver.com/news/traffic/article277259168.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url = https://abc11.com/traffic/diamond-traffic-pattern-coming-to-i-40-airport-blvd-exit/5713705/ |title = 'Diamond' traffic pattern coming to I-40 Airport BLVD exit |date = November 22, 2019 |access-date = November 23, 2019 |archive-date = November 23, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191123140755/https://abc11.com/traffic/diamond-traffic-pattern-coming-to-i-40-airport-blvd-exit/5713705/ |url-status = live }}}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Cary

|lspan=2

|mile=284.7

|exit=285

|road=Aviation Parkway  – Morrisville, RDU International Airport

|notes=Signed westbound as exits 285A (south) and 285B (north)}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=287.0

|exit=287

|road=Harrison Avenue – Cary}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Raleigh

|lspan=11

|mile=288.6

|exit=289

|road={{jct|state=NC|to1=To|I|440|US|1|dir2=north|road|Wade Avenue|city1=Downtown Raleigh}}

|notes=To PNC Arena, Carter–Finley Stadium, State Fairgrounds, NCSU Veterinary College, and NC Museum of Art}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=290.5

|exit=290

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|54|city1=Cary}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=291.4

|exit=291

|road=Cary Towne Boulevard – Cary}}

{{NCint|exit

|type=concur

|mile=292.6

|mspan=2

|exit=293A

|road={{Jct|state=NC|US|1|dir1=south|US|64|dir2=west|city1=Cary|city2=Asheboro}}

|notes=West end of US 64 overlap}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=none

|exit=293B

|road={{Jct|state=NC|I|440|dir1=east|US|1|dir2=north|city1=Raleigh|city2=Wake Forest}}

|notes=Cloverleaf interchange with Collector/distributor roadways}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=295.0

|exit=295

|road=Gorman Street}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=297.1

|exit=297

|road=Lake Wheeler Road}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=298.0

|exit=298

|road={{Jct|state=NC|US|70|US|401|NC|50|name3=S. Saunders Street|location1=Raleigh Downtown|city2=Garner}}

|notes=Signed as exits 298A (east/south) and 298B (west/north), to be converted into a Diverging diamond interchange}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=298.8

|exit=299

|road=Person Street, Hammond Road}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=300.3

|exit=300

|road=Rock Quarry Road

|notes=Signed as exits 300A (south) and 300B (north) westbound}}

{{NCint|exit

|type=concur

|mile=301.1

|exit=301

|road={{jct|state=NC|I|87|dir1=north|I|440|dir2=west|US|64|dir3=east|city1=Rocky Mount}}

|notes=East end of US 64 overlap; Eastbound exit is a left exit}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|mile=303.5

|exit=303

|road=Jones Sausage Road

|notes=Diverging diamond interchange{{cite web |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/traffic/article277259168.html |title='Diverging diamond' coming to I-40 interchange south of Raleigh. What drivers should know |last=Stradling |first=Richard |date=July 14, 2023 |website=The News & Observer |access-date=August 17, 2023 |archive-date=December 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224090750/https://www.newsobserver.com/news/traffic/article277259168.html |url-status=live }}}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Garner

|lspan=3

|mile=305.6

|exit=306

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|70|city1=Garner|city2=Clayton}}

|notes=Signed as exits 306A (west) and 306B (east) westbound}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=309.6

|exit=309

|road={{jct|state=NC|I|42|dir1=east|city1=Smithfield|city2=Goldsboro}}

|notes=Western terminus of I-42}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=309.8

|exit=310

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC-Toll|540|dir1=west|name1=Triangle Expressway}}

|notes=Eastern terminus of NC 540{{Cite web |url = https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/complete-540/Pages/default.aspx |title = NCDOT: Complete 540 |access-date = September 14, 2020 |archive-date = September 22, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200922115020/https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/complete-540/Pages/default.aspx |url-status = live }}

}}

{{NCint|exit

|county=Johnston

|cspan=6

|location=none

|mile=311.8

|exit=312A

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|42|city1=Clayton|city2=Fuquay-Varina}}

|notes=Rebuilt into Diverging diamond interchange{{cite web |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article220732030.html |title=With lane shifts, work to widen I-40 southeast of Raleigh gets underway |last=Stradling |first=Richard |date=October 29, 2018 |website=The News & Observer |access-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027232236/https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article220732030.html |url-status=live }}

}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|mile=312.4

|exit=312B

|road=Cleveland Road

|notes=New interchange opened in April 2024 {{Cite web |url = https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/i40-nc42/Pages/default.aspx |title = NCDOT: I-40 Widening - Southeast Raleigh to Clayton |access-date = November 14, 2019 |archive-date = September 25, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190925051801/https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/i40-nc42/Pages/default.aspx |url-status = live }}{{cite news |last= Stradling |first= Richard |url= https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/johnston-county/article287831030.html |title= Get a sneak peek at new I-40 exit and entrance ramps in Johnston County this weekend |date= April 19, 2024 |work= The News & Observer |access-date= April 20, 2024 }}

}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=McGee's Crossroads

|mile=318.6

|exit=319

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|210|city1=Smithfield|city2=Angier}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Benson

|lspan=2

|mile=325.4

|exit=325

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|242|dir1=South|US|301|to2=to|city1=Benson}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=327.8

|exit=328

|road={{Jct|state=NC|I|95|city1=Benson|city2=Fayetteville|city3=Rocky Mount|city4=Smithfield}}

|notes=Signed as exits 328A (south) and 328B (north); I-95 exit 81}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|mile=333.6

|exit=334

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|96|city1=Meadow}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|county=Sampson

|cspan=4

|location=Newton Grove

|lspan=2

|mile=341.0

|exit=341

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|50|NC|55|US|13|to3=to|city1=Newton Grove}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=343.3

|exit=343

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|701|US|13|to2=to|city1=Clinton|city2=Newton Grove}}

|notes= to Bentonville Battlefield}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|mile=348.0

|exit=348

|road=Suttontown Road}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|mile=355.4

|exit=355

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|403|city1=Faison}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|county=Duplin

|cspan=6

|location=Warsaw

|lspan=2

|type=concur

|mile=364.5

|exit=364

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|24|dir1=west|NC-Bus|24|dir2=east|dab2=Warsaw|to3=to|NC|50|city1=Warsaw|city2=Clinton}}

|notes=West end of NC 24 overlap}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=369.6

|exit=369

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|117|city1=Warsaw}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|type=concur

|mile=372.9

|exit=373

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|24|dir1=east|NC|903|city1=Magnolia|city2=Kenansville|city3=Beulaville}}

|notes=East end of NC 24 overlap}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Rose Hill

|mile=380.0

|exit=380

|road=Charity Road – Rose Hill}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|mile=384.1

|exit=384

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|11|city1=Wallace|city2=Greenevers}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=none

|mile=385.4

|exit=385

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|41|city1=Wallace|city2=Beulaville}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|county=Pender

|cspan=3

|location=none

|mile=390.2

|exit=390

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|117|city1=Wallace}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Burgaw

|mile=398.5

|exit=398

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|53|city1=Burgaw|city2=Jacksonville}}}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Rocky Point

|mile=408.1

|exit=408

|road={{jct|state=NC|NC|210|city1=Rocky Point}}

|notes=To Moores Creek National Battlefield}}

{{NCint|exit

|county=New Hanover

|cspan=4

|location=Castle Hayne

|mile=414.5

|exit=414

|road=Holly Shelter Road – Castle Hayne}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Murraysville

|mile=416.9

|exit=416

|road={{Jct|state=NC|I|140|NC|140|dir1=west|city1=Shallotte|location2=Myrtle Beach|city3=Topsail Island|city4=Jacksonville}}

|notes=Signed as exits 416A (west) and 416B (east); I-140 exit 20}}

{{NCint|exit

|location=Wilmington

|lspan=2

|mile=419.9

|exit=420

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|117|NC|132|dir2=north|road|Gordon Road|city1=Castle Hayne}}

|notes=Signed as exits 420A (Gordon Road) and 420B (US 117/NC 132) westbound}}

{{NCint|exit

|mile=423.6

|exit=—

|road={{jct|state=NC|US|117|NC|132|dir2=south|location1=State Port|city2=Carolina Beach}}

|notes=Continuation as US 117/NC 132}}

{{Jctbtm|exit|keys=closed,concur,incomplete,toll,unbuilt}}

There are five auxiliary routes and three former business routes for I-40 in the state.

I-140 is a spur route in Wilmington that bypasses US 17 and forms a partial loop in the city.

I-240 loops around downtown Asheville and the districts in the city.{{Cite web |last=Neufeld |first=Rob |title=Visiting Our Past: I-240 passage reminds us how great things were done |url=https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2022/04/10/visiting-our-past-240-passage-reminds-us-how-great-things-were-done/7270321001/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=The Asheville Citizen Times |language=en-US}}

I-440 serves as much of the inner loop in Raleigh.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-12 |title=I-440 improvement project nears the end after 7 years |url=https://abc11.com/beltline-construction-i440-road-work-raleigh-traffic/14517038/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=ABC11 Raleigh-Durham |language=en}}

I-540 serves as an outer loop in the Raleigh area, also bypassing the suburbs.{{Cite web |title=NCDOT: Complete 540 |url=https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/complete-540/Pages/default.aspx |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=NCDOT |language=en-US}}

I-840 serves as part of the north portion of the Greensboro Urban Loop.{{Cite web |title=NCDOT: Greensboro Urban Loop |url=https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/greensboro-urban-loop/Pages/default.aspx |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=NCDOT |language=en-US}}

I-40 Bus. used a freeway grade going that went through downtown Winston-Salem and the districts surrounding downtown, while I-40, using mostly newer construction, diverted away from downtown to the south, going through more general areas of the city. In 2020, I-40 Bus. was decommissioned after the downtown stretch had gotten renovated, and The Salem Parkway was picked as the new name for the route.{{Cite web |title=Salem Parkway: Creating a Downtown Gateway – Benefits of Transportation |url=https://benefits.transportation.org/salem-parkway-creating-a-downtown-gateway/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=benefits.transportation.org}} In 2008, I-40 Bus. was briefly designated going through southern Greensboro when I-40 was rerouted onto the southern part of the Greensboro Urban Loop, which was then recently completed, and diverted traffic away from almost the whole city. I-40 was eventually rerouted back in going through most of the city that same year after local controversy.{{cite web |date=November 23, 2009 |title=Route Change (2009-11-23) |url=https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/2009_11_23c.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007144245/https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/safety/Route%20Changes/2009_11_23c.pdf |archive-date=October 7, 2016 |access-date=April 8, 2016 |publisher=North Carolina Department of Transportation}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}

• {{commons category-inline|Interstate 40 in North Carolina}}
• [http://www.vahighways.com/ncannex/route-log/ih040.html NCRoads.com: I-40]
• [https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/ncdot-marks-milestone-on-360m-i-40-widening-project/62095 NCDOT Marks Milestone On $360M I-40 Widening Project]

{{state detail page browse|type=I|route=40|state=North Carolina|statebefore=Tennessee}}

{{3di|40}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Interstate 40 In North Carolina}}

40

North Carolina

Category:Research Triangle

Category:Transportation in Haywood County, North Carolina

Category:Transportation in Buncombe County, North Carolina

Category:Transportation in McDowell County, North Carolina

Category:Transportation in Burke County, North Carolina

Category:Transportation in Catawba County, North Carolina

Category:Transportation in Iredell County, North Carolina

Category:Transportation in Davie County, North Carolina

Category:Transportation in Forsyth County, North Carolina

Category:Transportation in Guilford County, North Carolina

Category:Transportation in Alamance County, North Carolina

Category:Transportation in Orange County, North Carolina

Category:Transportation in Durham County, North Carolina

Category:Transportation in Wake County, North Carolina

Category:Transportation in Johnston County, North Carolina

Category:Transportation in Sampson County, North Carolina

Category:Transportation in Duplin County, North Carolina

Category:Transportation in Pender County, North Carolina

Category:Transportation in New Hanover County, North Carolina