The first US 301-A appeared In 1951 or 1952, when US 301 was rebuilt on a new alignment in eastern Fayetteville. 301-A used Gillespie St and Clinton Rd (which was also NC 24 then) through Fayetteville. In 1960, US 301-A was renumbered to US 301 Business. Today the route carries no primary number..  

The second US 301-A also appeared in 1951 or 1952, when US 301 was given a newly constructed bypass of Halifax. Main St became US 301-A. In 1960 this was renumbered as US 301 Business, which remains today. 

The 3rd US 301-A appeared in 1953 as a US 301 bypass of Weldon was built to the east. This US 301-A ran along SR 1651 and SR 1652 through Weldon. This US 301-A was gone by 1958. It appears that original NC 40 probably used Elm St, 1 block to the west for much of 301-A's routing.

The 4th US 301-A appeared in 1954 as a US 301 bypass of Rocky Mount was built to the west. This US 301-A ran along Church street from one side of Rocky Mount to the other.. This routing became US 301 Business in 1960, as it remains today.

The 5th US 301-A also appeared in 1954, utilizing US 301's original routing through Lumberton, as US 301 was put on a new bypass to the west. US 301-A used 2nd St, NC 41, and PIne St to pass through Lumberton. In 1960 US 301-A became US 301 Business. Today, it is part NC 72, NC 41, and unnumbered Pine St.  

The 6th US 301-A appeared in 1956 or 1957, running through Wilson. This replaced mainline US 301 which used Goldsboro St and Herring Ave. This US 301-A lasted until 1960 when it was changed to US 301 Business. Today it is mostly unnumbered except a little of NC 42 is still on Herring Ave.