The route connects Gray with the central portion of Lincoln County, northwest of Lincolnton.

After that, they cross over Cedar Creek into Putnam County and enter the forest proper.

At this intersection, US 129 splits off to follow US 441/SR 24 north, while SR 44 continues to head north-northeast on Oak Street, now concurrent with US 129 Business/US 441 Business/SR 24 Business.

Just northeast of town, they pass Greene County Regional Airport and head into Union Point.

At Washington Highway, SR 44 splits off to the northeast and then curves to a mostly eastern routing.

Just before entering Washington, it meets the western terminus of SR 44 Spur (Harris Road).

In town, it passes Ranger Stadium just before intersecting US 78 Business/SR 10 Business (Lexington Avenue).

[1] The following portions of SR 44 is part of the National Highway System, a system of routes determined to be the most important for the nation's economy, mobility, and defense: State Route 44 Spur (SR 44 Spur) is a 2.0-mile-long (3.2 km) spur route of SR 44 that exists entirely within the central part of Wilkes County.

It heads nearly due east until it meets its eastern terminus, an intersection with SR 47 (Sharon Road) south of the main part of town.