The route connects several major towns in both Granville and Franklin Counties including Creedmoor, Franklinton and Louisburg.

NC 56 is a predominantly two-lane rural highway connecting the three Counties of Granville, Franklin and Nash.

Acting as a spur route, it begins at the intersection of Central Avenue/C Street, in Butner, and goes northeast to connect with I-85 (exit 191).

Continuing east for 8.5 miles (13.7 km), it reaches Louisburg, where it has another short concurrency with US 401 and NC 39 along Bickett Boulevard.

Continuing east for another 9.3 miles (15.0 km), it reaches its eastern terminus at NC 58, just over the Franklin/Nash County line and north of Castalia.