NC 403 is a predominantly two-lane rural highway that traverses from
Clinton to
Williams. The southern terminus of NC 403 is located at an at-grade intersection with
US 701 Business (Northeast Boulevard) northeast of downtown Clinton. From the intersection, NC 403 runs northeastward along the two-lane Faison Highway, exiting Clinton to the northeast. Outside of Clinton, the majority of the surrounding area is farmland and forested areas. However, some residential neighborhoods are located adjacent to NC 403 on the outskirts of the city. The highway crosses Beaverdam Swamp and makes a gradual turn northward. Beyond the initial curve, the highway makes several minor turns to return to a northeastern orientation. NC 403 intersects Keener Road which runs westward to the
census-designated place of
Keener. The highway crosses several other river branches of the
Cape Fear River as it approaches
I-40. As NC 403 approaches I-40, it widens to a four-lane divided highway. NC 403 meets I-40 at a
diamond interchange (I-40 exit 355) southwest of Faison.
US 117 Connector begins at the interchange, marking the beginning of the NC 403/US 117 Connector concurrency. NC 403 continues northeast for until reaching an at-grade intersection northeast of I-40. At the intersection, NC 403 turns southeastward toward
Faison while US 117 Connector continues northeast toward
Calypso. in
Faison. NC 403 travels before crossing into
Duplin County. Approaching Faison, NC 403 makes a
reverse curve before intersecting
NC 50 west of the town. At the intersection, NC 50 turns to run concurrently with NC 403 to the east. Entering Faison from the west, NC 403 and NC 50 travel along Main Street to pass through the downtown area of Faison. Immediately east of the central business area, the highway crosses a
CSX Transportation owned railroad line at an at-grade crossing and meets
US 117/NC 50 at an intersection. The NC 403/NC 50 concurrency ends at the intersection as NC 50 turns south to follow US 117 toward
Warsaw. NC 403 exits Faison to the east and the surrounding area becomes predominately farmland. The highway makes a turn to the northeast and intersects several secondary roads that run northwest to Calypso. NC 403 makes a turn to the southeast before intersecting Beautancus Road which runs north to
Mount Olive. At the intersection, the highway turns back to the northeast, an orientation it largely remains for the duration of its route. NC 403 passes through a community southeast of Mount Olive, with several businesses and residential buildings located adjacent to the highway. From the community, NC 403 continues northeastward for and crosses the
Northeast Cape Fear River and enters
Wayne County. It continues to its northern terminus at
NC 55 in the
unincorporated community of Williams. NC 403 is part of the National Highway System for , entirely concurrent with US 117 Connector near Faison. Additionally, NC 403 connects with the National Highway system at I-40. ==History==