The road starts at a roundabout on the edge of Ballymacash where four different numbered roads meet. West is an unclassified residential road, north the B101 and south the A519 whilst the A513 heads east, multiplexing with the B101. That road takes the next turn right at a junction where B101 traffic is forced to turn left onto the A513.
The A513 continues east along Derriaghy Road which marks the edge of the urban area - there are a few side roads leading to housing. After passing Boomers Reservoir, whose earth wall is clearly visible to the left, Derriaghy Road turns off left and the road name becomes Boomers Road. There is a brief rural section before houses become visible on the right again. There is a set of traffic lights to serve a north-south route which existed before the construction of the A513, after which the road bears to the left to end at a further set of lights. The A512 comes in from the right and TOTSOs to become the road ahead.