It connects the city of Bladenboro to Fayetteville, via NC 87, and Whiteville, via US 701.

NC 131 is a two-lane rural highway that begins at US 701 north of Whiteville.

Five miles (8.0 km) later, it splits from NC 410, which continues north to Dublin.

NC 131 goes through predominantly forested or farmlands in the area, with Bladenboro being the only urban location along its route.

[2] In 1970, NC 131 was rerouted onto a new road east of downtown Tar Heel.