M-119 starts at an intersection with US 31 about four miles (6.4 km) northeast of Petoskey near the community of Bay View in Bear Creek Township.

The trunkline passes the eastern and northern edges of the Harbor Springs Municipal Airport as it turns westward near the junction with C-81 (Pleasantview Road).

As it passes into the city limits of Harbor Springs, the highway follows Main Street into downtown.

It turns north and then westward along State Street in the middle of town, intersecting the southern end of C-77 in the central business district.

[6][7] From Harbor Springs on, M-119 is the Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route,[8] one of the Pure Michigan Byways in the state.

The writers at National Geographic said that "only sometimes can you catch glimmers of Lake Michigan through the trees, but the dense foliage lends beauty to the winding road".

[11] None of M-119 has been listed on the National Highway System,[12] a network of roads important to the country's economy, defense, and mobility.

[27] The highway remained as such until 1967 when a slight realignment was made in Emmet County along the lakeshore where M-131 was routed on to its final alignment.