The highway runs north–south from the Georgia state line to U.S. Route 64/U.S.

It also serves to connect the community of Culberson, which lays close to the state line.

It served as a major route through the state, passing through Boone, Wilkesboro, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Sanford and Clinton.

In 2000, the highway was widened to four-lane with a center turning lane throughout.

[citation needed] The entire route is in Cherokee County.