Entirely within Gaston County, it connects the towns of Lowell, McAdenville, and Belmont with the city of Gastonia.

Immediately after crossing I-85, NC 7 enters one of North Carolina's most famous cities: McAdenville.

Every Christmas season, McAdenville residents deck nearly every square foot of the town with decorations; the event is known as ChristmasTown USA.

Established in 1932 as a renumbering of NC 29; which itself was created two years prior when US 74/NC 20 was realigned between Lowell, McAdenville, and Belmont.

[2] North Carolina Highway 29 (NC 29) was established 1930 when US 74/NC 20 was realigned onto new road; this was its second form.

NC 7 Truck is a short 1.7-mile (2.7 km) route that overlaps entirely with US 29 and US 74 through Belmont.