The highway connects Jennings, the seat of Jefferson Davis Parish, to one of two interchanges with Interstate 10 (I-10) that serve the small city.

Outside of Jennings, LA 97 travels through a sparsely populated area as it parallels Bayou Nezpique at a distance of roughly two miles (3.2 km).

Reaching the northeast corner of town, the center lane disappears as LA 97 passes through an interchange with I-10 at exit 65.

In the process, LA 97 crosses over the interstate, which connects with Lake Charles to the west and Lafayette to the east.

Immediately beyond the interchange, LA 97 crosses a bridge over Bayou Nezpique, a tributary of the nearby Mermentau River, into Acadia Parish.

Continuing north through rural farmland, LA 97 departs from its straight section line alignment and curves through a point known as Redich.

Shortly following the 1955 renumbering, a series of right-angle turns were smoothed out, most notably between Redich and Basile in Acadia Parish.

[17] La DOTD is currently engaged in a program that aims to transfer about 5,000 miles (8,000 km) of state-owned roadways to local governments over the next several years.

[18] Under this plan of "right-sizing" the state highway system, the portion of LA 97 between US 90 and I-10 in Jennings is proposed for deletion as it does not meet a significant interurban travel function.