The highway traverses between Emit and Belvoir, connecting the rural towns of Kenly, Fremont, Eureka, Stantonsburg, Saratoga, Fountain, and Falkland.

NC 222 is a two-lane rural highway that traverses 57.8 miles (93.0 km) through mostly farmland in eastern North Carolina.

Beginning at NC 231 east of Emit, it travels southeast towards Kenly, passing by Aycock Birthplace along the way.

At Kenly, it goes east to Fremont connecting with Interstate 795 (I-795) and US 117 there.

Heading northeast, it goes through Eureka and Stantonsburg, reaching I-587 and US 264 near Saratoga.