It is the primary travel route in the Great Northern Peninsula and the only improved highway between Deer Lake and St. Anthony.

The route passes along the western coast of Newfoundland with views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Strait of Belle Isle to the west and the Long Range Mountains to the east.

It passes through or near several towns and villages including Rocky Harbour, Port au Choix, and St. Barbe as well as Gros Morne National Park.

The highway now leaves Deer Lake and continues northwest through rural areas to have an intersection with Route 422 (Cormack Road) before it begins winding its way through the Long Range Mountains.

Route 430 begins heading up the western coastline of the Great Northern Peninsula (the Strait of Belle Isle side), passing through Bakers Brook, the Green Point portion of Gros Morne National Park, Sally's Cove (where it crosses the Western Brook), and Gulls Marsh.