It serves as a connector route from South Carolina Highway 9 to eastern portions of the Appalachians around Asheville.

[citation needed] NC 9 begins in Polk County south of the Green Creek community.

[citation needed] A sign heading south from Black Mountain points out that heavy trucks are prohibited.

Nearly 3 miles (4.8 km) after crossing I-40, NC 9 ends at the vaulted archway entrance to the town of Montreat.

[3] In 1931, NC 192 was extended southeast from Mill Spring along new primary routing to the South Carolina state line, where it continued as SC 177 towards Spartanburg.