Bell County KY 221 begins at an
intersection with
KY 66 east of
Dorton Branch, within
Bell. It travels in an easterly direction, paralleling the ironically named
Straight Creek. In
Jenson, it intersects the southern terminus of
KY 2013. It curves to the northeast and crosses over Straight Creek. The highway immediately intersects the southern terminus of
KY 1630 just outside of
Kettle Island. It also crosses over some
CSX railroad tracks and continues to the northeast. After crossing
Mill Creek, it crosses over the CSX tracks again and enters Laurel Ford. There, it briefly heads to the north-northwest before resuming its northeast direction. In
Stoney Fork, it crosses over
Stoney Fork and intersects the southern terminus of
KY 2011 (Stoney Fork Road).
Harlan County After entering
Harlan County, KY 221 enters
Tacky Town. It crosses over
Big Run and
Laurel Branch and intersects the northern terminus of
KY 3448. It begins to travel along the southern edge of the
Boone Forestlands Wildlife Management Area. It has a crossing of
Salt Trace Branch and an intersection with the southern terminus of
KY 1780. The highway then curves to the east and crosses Straight Creek one final time before curving to the southeast and leaving the creek. It intersects the southern terminus of
KY 3466 (Bigelow Road) and then passes
Green Hills Elementary School. Right after that, it intersects
U.S. Route 421 (US 421). The two highways travel
concurrently in a northeasterly direction, along the southern edge of
Daniel Boone National Forest. When they split, KY 221 enters the forest proper. It heads to the east, passing Green and Middleton Cemeteries. It resumes its northeastern direction, then crosses over
Laurel Fork and intersects the southern terminus of
KY 2009. It then intersects the southern terminus of
KY 3465 (Abner Branch Road). In
Divide, it intersects the northern terminus of
KY 2010. In
Pine Mountain, it curves to the north and intersects the western terminus of
KY 510. KY 221 then heads to the north-northwest and parallels
Greasy Creek, with one crossing of the creek. In
Big Laurel, the highway crosses over
Big Laurel Creek and intersects the eastern terminus of
KY 2008. KY 221 then heads to the northeast, paralleling Big Laurel Creek. It then curves to the north and north-northwest and enters
Perry County.
Perry and Leslie counties KY 221 doesn't have any major intersections in Perry County. It curves to the southwest and enters
Leslie County. It curves to the north and northeast and meets its eastern terminus, an intersection with
KY 699 (Cutshin Road). ==Major intersections==