Its eastern terminus is at a T-intersection with WV 28 at Short Gap.

WV 956 was formerly County Route 9/6, intersecting CR 9 near its east end at Short Gap.

The two-lane highway begins at the Maryland state line along its bridge over the Potomac River at Rocket Center, where it takes over for MD 956, which itself started just over 0.5 miles (0.80 km) to the northwest of this point at U.S. Route 220 (US 220).

Heading southeast from the state line, WV 956 provides access to Allegany Ballistics Laboratory.

The route then crosses Knobly Mountain, following a path in the shape of an sideways "U" amidst a heavily wooded terrain.