The highway travels from US 378/SR 43 in Lincolnton northwest to SR 72 at a point southeast of Elberton.

SR 79 begins at an intersection with US 378/SR 43 (McCormick Highway) northeast of Lincolnton approximately 450 feet west of the intersection of US 378/SR 43 and SR 43 Conn, within the central part of Lincoln County.

During a northwestern direction of the highway, it travels through Goshen and crosses over Murry Creek.

It curves back to the north-northwest and briefly parallels the Lincoln–Wilkes county line.

It curves back to the northwest and travels between two portions of Clarks Hill Lake, where it enters the southeastern part of Elbert County.