 SR 53 begins at an intersection with SR 20 (Scottsville Road) a short distance south of SR 20's interchange with Interstate 64 in Albemarle County just south of the independent city of Charlottesville.The state highway heads east and begins to ascend Carters Mountain, which is part of the Southwest Mountains.Just west of Michie Tavern, SR 53 becomes curvaceous as it continues to its summit between Monticello to the east and Montalto, also known as the Mountaintop Farm and Patterson Mountain, to the west.