It traverses from Cerro Gordo to Benson, connecting the towns of Bladenboro, Elizabethtown, and Roseboro.

NC 242 is a 94.2-mile (151.6 km) long rural highway that goes from US 76 in Cerro Gordo, to I-40, near Benson.

It passes through Columbus, Bladen, Cumberland, Sampson and Johnston Counties.

Some major cities, and towns it goes through are Cerro Gordo, Bladenboro, Elizabethtown, Roseboro, Spiveys Corner and Benson.

In 1940, NC 242 was rerouted at Salemburg north to US 421, its old alignment became Odom Road (SR 1323).