The highway connects the Florida state line, south-southwest of Saint George with the southern part of the Augusta metropolitan area, via Folkston, Nahunta, Jesup, Ludowici, Glennville, Reidsville, Metter, Twin City, and Millen.

South-southeast of here, the roadway continues as State Road 121, which travels to Macclenny, Florida.

The concurrent highways continue to the north, through rural areas of the county and then curve to the northeast.

Just before entering Jesup, they pass by Jesup–Wayne County Airport and Pine Forest Country Club.

The three highways curve to the northwest and intersect US 84/SR 38 (North 1st Street), which join the concurrency.

Then, they pass by an industrial waste pond of Rayonier just before crossing over the Altamaha River into Long County.

The concurrent highways begin a curve to the north and cross over Beards Creek into Tattnall County.

After they meet the western end of SR 196, they curve to the northeast and enter Glennville.

After that, they curve to the northeast and enter Collins, where they intersect SR 292 (Manassas Street).

In Metter, they have an interchange with Interstate 16 (I-16; Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway).

At College Street, SR 23 splits off to the north and gradually curves to the northwest.

Just after leaving town, it passes Willow Lake Golf Club and Byrd Cemetery.

The highway passes through rural areas of the county, curves to the east, and intersects US 25/SR 67/SR 121.

Then, they curve to the northeast and cross over the Ogeechee River just before entering Millen.

The five highways curve north and intersect SR 17 (West Winthrope Avenue).

Farther to the north, it crosses over Beaverdam Creek into Burke County.

Then, it passes Hagler Lake before meeting its northern end, an intersection with SR 56, just south of Augusta.

[1] The following portions of SR 23 part of the National Highway System, a system of routes determined to be the most important for the nation's economy, mobility, and defense: SR 23 was established at least as early as 1919 on a different alignment than it travels today.

[2][4] By October 1926, SR 38's crossing over the Altamaha River, between Jesup and Ludowici, was indicated to have "no bridge or ferry".

[9][10] In the first quarter of 1937, the southern terminus of SR 23 was extended west-southwest from Folkston and south to Saint George.

[15][16] At least as early as 1939, an unnumbered road was established northeast from Sardis to Girard, then northwest to SR 56 north-northeast of Waynesboro.

[17] At the end of 1940, SR 23's southern terminus was re-extended south-southwest to the Florida state line.