It runs from U.S. Route 93 (US 93) northwest of Congress northeast to SR 96 southeast of Bagdad.

It crosses through a desert region in a northeasterly direction, meeting a dirt road that connects back to US 93.

SR 97 curves northward before heading eastward at an intersection with Burro Creek Road.

The highway meets its northern terminus at SR 96, which continues northwestward toward Bagdad.

As part of this role, ADOT surveys volumes of traffic on their highways.