The route begins at an intersection with KY 555 south of Willisburg and heads northeast through the city.

It continues northeast into Anderson County and intersects the Martha Layne Collins Blue Grass Parkway.

Just south of Beaver Lake KY 53 turns toward the northwest and forms a concurrency with US 62.

In Shelby County, the route passes through Mount Eden and heads northwest into Shelbyville.

North of Shelbyville, the route enters Oldham County and passes through Ballardsville and LaGrange, where it intersects with Interstate 71.