SR 116 begins at an intersection  SR 122 (Booker T. Washington Highway) at the hamlet of Burnt Chimney. The state highway heads northwest as Jubal Early Highway, a two-lane undivided road that passes through northwestern Franklin County. After passing through the foothills, SR 116 has a short but steep and curvaceous crossing of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
SR 116 begins at an intersection with SR 122 (Booker T. Washington Highway) in Burnt Chimney. The state highway then travels northwest as Jubal Early Highway, a two-lane road that passes through northwestern Franklin County. After passing through the foothills, SR 116 has a short but steep and winding journey over the Blue Ridge Mountains.