The western terminus of the route was at an intersection with NY 22 by the community of Beekmantown (also called Beekmantown Corners) and the eastern terminus was at a junction with U.S. Route 9 (US 9) east of Interstate 87 (I-87) and west of Point Au Roche State Park.

[4] Maintained by the county as CR 58 and known locally as Spellman Road,[5] NY 456 proceeded east through a residential section of Beekmantown and past the Cumberland Head Library.

Remaining a two-lane residential road through Beekmantown, NY 456 continued past a junction with Ron-Cathy Road and into an interchange with the Adirondack Northway (I-87) (exit 40).

Two blocks after the interchange with the Northway, NY 456 reached a junction with US 9 just northwest of Point Au Roche State Park.

[2] Although the route is signed as a state highway, it has been maintained by Clinton County since its inception.