Wade Avenue


Wade Avenue is a major road in The Triangle region of North Carolina that links Interstate 40, I-440, and downtown Raleigh. The western segment of this road is a four-lane freeway and the eastern segment is an urban boulevard; I-440 beltway splits the segments. Wade Avenue provides a shortcut to North Raleigh for I-40 traffic via I-440; thus, along the west segment the eastbound direction is signed as TO I-440 and the westbound direction is signed as TO I-40. Wade Avenue's eastern terminus is at U.S. Route 401, shortly after an interchange with US 70 and North Carolina Highway 50.
The Wade Avenue/I-440/US 1 interchange is subject to frequent traffic jams, as is the Wade Avenue/I-40 interchange. The first exit off Wade Avenue traveling east is commonly used as a way to get to the PNC Arena and Carter–Finley Stadium, which are easily visible from the freeway. The Blue Ridge Road exit is commonly used as a route to get to the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, and the North Carolina Museum of Art.
Wade Avenue is designated Secondary Road 1728 from I-40 to Glenwood Avenue. The short piece east of Glenwood Avenue carries US 70 and NC 50. Prior to the completion of I-40 to South Raleigh, and the southern portion of the Beltline, I-40 was temporarily signed along Wade Avenue's western segment, where it terminated at the Raleigh Beltline, which was then just U.S. Highway 1/64.
The road is named after Stacy Wilson Wade. He was the North Carolina Secretary of State from 1933 to 1936. He was also a member of the Board of Trustees for North Carolina State University.

Nearby landmarks