at a diamond interchange and then crossing over the Tar River. North of the river, US 264 and NC 11 Bypass meet NC 33 at a diamond interchange and then turn to the east. US 264 meets US 13, NC 11, and NC 903 at a partial cloverleaf interchange, marking the northern terminus of NC 11 Bypass and the end of the freeway. The highway continues as a non-controlled access divided highway through an industrial area of Greenville. It turns to the southeast and continues straight for approximately before turning to the south. US 264 then intersects US 264 Alternate and NC 33 at Pactolus Highway. US 264 turns to the east at the intersection travelling along a non-controlled access divided highway which somewhat parallels the Tar River. As US 264 continues east on Pactolus Highway, it leaves the city of Greenville and reenters rural Pitt County. It passes to the south of Pactolus and intersects the southern terminus of NC 30 east of the community. US 264 then turns to the south and travels approximately east of NC 30 until crossing Tranters Creek, a tributary of the Tar River, and entering Beaufort County. The highway continues southeast and enters Washington from the northwest, picking up the name 5th Street. US 264 meets US 17 at a diamond interchange northwest of downtown Washington. It continues southeast along 5th Street and intersects US 17 Business and the western terminus of NC 92 at Bridge Street. US 264 and NC 92 run concurrently along Bridge Street to the southeast. The highway turns to the northeast west of an intersection with Harvey Street, and changes names to John Small Avenue at an intersection with 5th Street. It then turns to the east near Highland Drive, crosses Runyon Creek, and leaves Washington to the east. Washington to Manns Harbor US 264 and NC 92 continue to travel east from Washington through an exurban area of Beaufort County. The highways intersect NC 32 in the community of Bunyan and then enter a rural area. Approximately east of Bunyan, NC 92 splits from US 264 and continues southeast towards Bath. US 264 turns to the northeast near the NC 92 intersection but soon returns to an easterly orientation. The highway continues to travel east through rural Beaufort County, crossing Tankard Creek and Pungo Creek. East of the Pungo Creek crossing, US 264 turns toward Pantego following