It begins at SH 57 at Makerua and runs north-east to Palmerston North from the West.

The state highway officially terminates on Pioneer Highway at its intersection with Maxwells Line just at the entrance to the city.

SH 56 used to connect SH 1 at Himatangi with SH 3 in Palmerston North (at the intersection of Main and Princess Streets).

It was rerouted to intersect SH 57 instead in 1997, with the section between Maxwells Line and its intersection with SH 3 also being revoked.

This New Zealand road or road transport-related article is a stub.