It runs north from Perth through Blairgowrie and Rattray, then through the Grampian Mountains by way of Glenshee, the Cairnwell Pass and Glen Clunie to Braemar in Aberdeenshire.

5 miles (8 km) north lies Blairgowrie and Rattray, the largest town in Perth and Kinross, where the road crosses the River Ericht.

This was bypassed by a new stretch of road in the early 1970s but the old hairpin bends and World War II anti-tank traps can be accessed on foot from a lay-by part way up the hill.

Over the summit of the Cairnwell Pass, the road enters Aberdeenshire and the standard of the carriageway improves considerably, wider and better surfaced than the 42 miles (68 km) in Perth and Kinross.

10 miles (16 km) from Braemar, it passes Balmoral Castle, then continues through Ballater, Dinnet, Aboyne, Kincardine O'Neil, Banchory and Peterculter before entering Aberdeen.