It runs northward via Hendersonville Road for 0.3 miles (0.48 km), intersecting US 25A (Lodge Street) along the way.

Westbound lanes of NC 81, however, are routed for 0.1 miles (0.16 km) via Bryson Street, which intersects Biltmore Avenue one block north of Swannanoa River Road.

After 1.6 miles (2.6 km) NC 81 intersects US 74A (South Tunnel Road) near the Asheville Mall.

NC 81 continues to follow the Swannanoa River for another 1.1 miles (1.8 km) and then turns to the northward, ultimately terminating at US 70 (Tunnel Road) in Asheville's Oteen neighborhood.

NC 81 was placed south along Biltmore Avenue to the current end of the road at the intersection of US 25 and US 25A.