The northern segment begins on the northeastern side of Salem at Highway 9 and travels north and east to the Missouri state line, where it becomes Missouri Route 17.

From its beginning, the route heads to the northeast towards Salem, along the winding Byron Road.

From Salem it heads north, roughly parallel to the south fork of the Spring River.

It passes through a mix of grassland and forest, with a few houses dotted along the way.

At the small community of Moko, Highway 395 briefly turns to the east before curving back to the north.