It is also unique in that over half of this highway travels through Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune on federal grounds.

The route's southern terminus is at US 17 in the unincorporated community of Folkstone, located between Holly Ridge and Wilmington.

The road heads east-northeast through a mix of forest land and small houses towards the community of Sneads Ferry.

Through Camp Lejeune, the closed road heads east then north through mostly forested lands of the base.

[1] April 2007: Travel through the Camp Lejeune section of the highway is restricted to vehicles with U.S. Department of Defense decals as a security measure.