The route was assigned as part of the 1930 renumbering of state highways in New York and remained unchanged until April 1, 1997, when ownership and maintenance of the route was transferred from the state of New York to Steuben County as part of a highway maintenance swap between the two levels of government.

It headed eastward, following Michigan Creek along the base of a valley surrounding the waterway.

Here, NY 333 curved back to the east as it met Savona–Thurston Road (CR 12) in the western half of the community.

The route proceeded eastward across the width of the latter valley, crossing over the river on its way into the riverside hamlet of Campbell, the largest community along NY 333.

It proceeded eastward through the hamlet along Main Street to an interchange with the Southern Tier Expressway (then-NY 15 and NY 17) just east of the community.