The route initially continued east to the village of Candor when it was assigned as part of the 1930 renumbering of state highways in New York; however, it was cut back to its current length in the early 1950s.

Through Breesport, the highway passes by closely spaced residences and commercial businesses as it becomes Main Street for a short distance.

In downtown Breesport, NY 223 intersects with the northern terminus of CR 1 (Church Street) before curving southeast and out of town.

NY 223 soon leaves Erin and becomes known as Swartwood Hill Road, as which it turns to the northeast through fields, residences and woods.

After the intersection with Drake Road, the route rises in elevation using switchbacks up Swartwood Hill, where the alignment heads through a dense wooded area.