The route follows a generally northwest–southeast alignment between the two points, serving only small hamlets as it crosses an otherwise rural area of the North Country.

The route heads southeast, loosely paralleling the St. Regis River as it proceeds through rural eastern St. Lawrence County.

[3] Now within the park boundaries, NY 458 crosses over the Lake Ozonia Outlet on its way eastward to the hamlet of St. Regis Falls, the largest community on the entire route.

[3] NY 458 continues southeast through Waverly to the hamlet known as Santa Clara in the town of the same name.

The route heads through the hamlet and over the St. Regis for the final time as it approaches Goodnow Mountain, a peak rising roughly 1,960 feet (600 m) above sea level.