NC 403 is a predominantly two-lane rural highway that traverses 25.7 miles (41.4 km) from Clinton to Williams.

From the intersection, NC 403 runs northeastward along the two-lane Faison Highway, exiting Clinton to the northeast.

The highway makes a turn to the northeast and intersects several secondary roads that run northwest to Calypso.

NC 403 makes a turn to the southeast before intersecting Beautancus Road which runs north to Mount Olive.

At the intersection, the highway turns back to the northeast, an orientation it largely remains for the duration of its route.

NC 403 passes through a community southeast of Mount Olive, with several businesses and residential buildings located adjacent to the highway.

From the community, NC 403 continues northeastward for 2.1 miles (3.4 km) and crosses the Northeast Cape Fear River and enters Wayne County.

[1][3] The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) measures average daily traffic volumes along many of the roadways it maintains.

[5][6][7] NC 403 is part of the National Highway System for 0.2 miles (0.32 km), entirely concurrent with US 117 Connector near Faison.

The highway began at US 701/NC 23 two miles (three point two kilometres) north of Clinton and ran northeast to US 117/NC 40 in Faison.

The southern terminus was moved from Warsaw Road to US 701 (modern-day US 701 Business), removing NC 403 from College Street.