Prior to the completion of Interstate 65 (I-65), SR 79 was the southern part of the route that connected Birmingham and Huntsville.

The southern terminus of SR 79 is at an interchange of Tallapoosa Street with I-20/I-59 (exit 128) near Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport.

The route turns northeast on a four-lane divided highway and continues in this direction until it reaches Pinson.

The route loses its four-lane divided highway status and becomes a two-lane road, crossing into Blount County.

Due to population growth in the area, there are long range plans to widen SR 79 to four lanes into southwestern Blount County.