The regional study area boundary is geographically large, encompassing 19 counties. By using entire counties, it is possible to include all of the potentially affected urban areas as well as all of the important junctions along the Interstate and primary state highway systems in this portion of the state. This boundary, illustrated on the map below, represents the limits of the area that most influences travel along the US 64 and NC 49 corridors.

At the corridor-level, the study area extends from Raleigh to Statesville on US 64 and from Asheboro to Charlotte on NC 49. These corridors are highlighted in white on the map below and combined are nearly 200 miles long.