The highway connects the community of Cliffside and the town of Mooresboro.

South at US 74 Business, NC 120 begins at an intersection with US 221 Alternative, in the town of Cliffside.

After intersecting Squirrel Hollow Drive, the area becomes rural and runs between several farms.

From the intersection the road continues for about half a mile until reaching its northern terminus at US 74 Business east of Mooresboro.

No section of NC 120 is listed as part of the National Highway System.