Jefferson is in northwest North Carolina. It is the county seat of Ashe County.
The primary route from the north is NC 16 from the Virginia state line to just east of town, where it intersects with US 221. Traffic from Boone and neighboring West Jefferson and other points south take US 221 into Jefferson.
The closest commercial airports are Douglas International in Charlotte, Piedmont Triad International in Greensboro, and Tri-Cities Regional Airport in Tennessee. All three are about a two-hour drive from Jefferson.
The town has no bus service. The closest Amtrak stations are in Charlotte and Greensboro, also a two-hour drive.
A car is a must as there is no public transportation. A sidewalk runs from the old center of town to just below the county hospital, but walking is not feasible to most stores and restaurants.
Mount Jefferson State Park dominates the landscape and is visible from practically anywhere in town.
Winner's Circle, in the Best Western Eldreth Inn, offers a popular weekday lunch special consisting of a main course and three sides that rotate depending on the day of the week. Also, breakfast, lunch and dinner daily; check hours of operation at Thanksgiving and around Christmas.
2nd-order administrative division
Primary administrative division