The highway connects Hogansville with Atlanta, via Peachtree City, Fayetteville, Jonesboro, and Forest Park.

SR 54 begins at an intersection with US 27/SR 1 (New Franklin Road) west of Hogansville, in north-central Troup County.

There, it intersects US 27 Alternate/SR 41 (Roosevelt Highway), before meeting the northern terminus of SR 54 Spur (Park Street).

The highway heads to the east, crossing over Line Creek into Fayette County and Peachtree City.

To the northeast, it passes McCurry Park North and Links Golf Club, before crossing into Clayton County.

Slightly south of the northern limits of town, it passes Clayton State University and curves to the north-northwest into Lake City.

In Forest Park, the highway skirts along the southwestern edge of Fort Gillem and meets the southern terminus of SR 54 Conn. (Thurman Road).

After that, it curves back to the northwest and passes Southview Cemetery, just before meeting the southern terminus of SR 54 Conn. (Sawtell Avenue SE).

Less than 1 mile (1.6 km) later, it meets the western terminus of SR 42 Spur (McDonough Boulevard SE).

The highway passes along the western edge of United States Penitentiary, Atlanta, before a slight jog to the northeast right before its northern terminus, an intersection with SR 42 Spur.