North Carolina Highway 73

Most of the route is a two-lane highway that passes through both rural scenic areas; however, it also serves several small and moderate-sized cities in the state, including Concord and Albemarle.

It heads eastward, passing to the south of Lincolnton-Lincoln County Regional Airport and intersecting NC 16.

It passes into Mecklenburg County upon crossing over the Catawba River just below the Cowans Ford Dam at Lake Norman.

The route heads along the lake shore to the vicinity of Huntersville, where it meets I-77 an interchange near the NorthCross development.

Just across the County line, NC 73 crosses the Rocky River and passes through the center of the Odell School community before running along the southern edge of the Coddle Creek reservoir.

East of the reservoir, the highway intersects with Kannapolis Parkway and then passes an interchange with I-85 as it enters the city of Concord.

All three routes leave the bypass at Albemarle Plaza Mall and head southeastward as a two-lane highway toward the Uwharrie Mountains.

The highways enter rural Montgomery County after crossing over the Pee Dee River at Lake Tillery.

NC 73 joins US 220 Alternate north of the town and follows it to the vicinity of Norman, where the two highways split just west of an interchange with I-73, I-74, and US 220.

The highway turned northeast in Carthage, following along a gravel road until intersecting NC 50 southwest of Sanford.

This 13-mile (21 km) route goes south around the downtown area, via US 601 (Concord Parkway North & Warren Coleman Boulevard) and NC 49.

East-West NC 73 Truck, in Concord