SH-53 begins at a T intersection in Walters, where State Highway 5 makes up the western and southern legs of the T. SH-53 runs eastward from here, crossing East Cache Creek.

The highway continues due east to the western outskirts of Comanche, where it curves northeast to pass through the city's downtown.

It is a narrow, two-lane state highway with no shoulders throughout its length in and around the town of Gene Autry.

The road has an at-grade crossing with the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe railroad at the north end of Gene Autry, and the road continues through the town until it reaches its terminus at the southern grade crossing of the same railway.

It was officially removed from the state highway system by action of the Transportation Commission on February 2, 2004.