 The routes cross the North Fork of Goose Creek just north of its confluence with the South Fork to form the main stream, then the carriageways briefly split wide where they and Goose Creek pass between Porters Mountain to the south and Taylors Mountain to the north as the U.S.Highways leave the Blue Ridge Mountains and enter the Virginia Piedmont.US 460 and US 221 parallel the Blue Ridge District rail line through Irving and Thaxton to the town of Bedford.