For most of its length, the route runs a short distance to the east of New Jersey Transit's Morristown Line.

Route 53 bends farther east from the tracks and runs through an industrial area.

[1] Past the Route 10 interchange, the road enters Parsippany–Troy Hills and continues north through wooded residential neighborhoods, running parallel to Interstate 80 (I-80) while passing to the east of a couple small lakes.

[8] In 1966, a freeway was planned for the Route 53 corridor, intended to reduce traffic congestion.

[9] In 1967, the northern terminus of the Route 53 freeway was cut back to Interstate 80.

[10] Right-of-way acquisition began for the freeway but was stopped in 1971 due to lack of funds.

The freeway was officially cancelled in 1975 when NJDOT did not include it in the five-year highway program.