CR 581 begins at an intersection with Route 49 in Quinton Township, Salem County, heading east-northeast on two-lane undivided Alloway Road.

The setting becomes more rural as the road continues east and crosses into Alloway Township.

Residential development increases as the road runs through the community of Alloway and crosses CR 540.

Residential development increases past the intersection with the latter as the route enters Harrison Township.

CR 581 comes to its northern terminus at an intersection with Route 77 in the community of Mullica Hill.