The road runs through rural, forested areas of Iosco and Alcona counties, inland from Lake Huron.

The route travels to the northwest away from town, passing between Van Etten Lake and what was previously Wurtsmith Air Force Base.

The initial incarnation of M-171 served as a loop route off US 23 which departed the main highway east of Spruce, traveled west through Spruce, then north past Hubbard Lake and through Wilson before returning to US 23 near Alpena.

[11][12] The second version of M-171 that ran between Oscoda and Caledonia Township in Alcona County[13] was assumed into the state trunkline system in 1936.

[15] M-171 existed along the Oscoda to Caledonia Township route for 24 years before being decommissioned in late 1960 or early 1961.