From the Georgia state line, with US 441, it goes through the communities of Norton and Otto before reaching Franklin, where it bypasses the city to its east.

Continuing north into Jackson County, it reaches the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway in Dillsboro, where it switches partners from US 441 to US 74.

Corridor A connects I-285, in Sandy Springs, Georgia, to I-40, near Clyde, North Carolina; it overlaps 46 miles (74 km) of US 23.

Corridor B connects I-40, in Asheville, North Carolina, with US 23, near Lucasville, Ohio, it overlaps 28 miles (45 km) of US 23.

ADHS provides additional funds, as authorized by Congress, which have enabled US 23 to benefit from the successive improvements along its routing in both corridors.

US 23, in concurrency with I-26, traverses the entire length, known for its unspoiled views of the North Carolina mountains.

[5] In 2006, US 23 moved onto I-26, north of Mars Hill, leaving US 23A following the old route through northern Madison County.