OH 523's intersection with OH 53 is located less than 4 miles (6.4 km) northeast of the OH 53 exit off of I-80/I-90/Ohio Turnpike.

OH 523 begins at an intersection with OH 19 and County Road 143 in Rice Township.

The route heads eastward along a flat terrain, passing a couple of homes and then progressing through fields and nothing else around it.

OH 523 terminates at an intersection with OH 53 in Rice Township, nearly 4 miles (6.4 km) to the east of OH 19.

[2][4] The entire route is in Rice Township, Sandusky County.