The M61 begins in Vereeniging, Emfuleni Local Municipality, just north-east of the town centre (just west of the Three Rivers suburb), at a junction with the R54 road.

It begins by going north-north-east, following the Klip River, to cross the R59 highway (Sybrand van Niekerk Freeway) and pass by the settlement of Redan.

It continues north-north-east, parallel to the R59 highway, to enter the town of Meyerton in the Midvaal Local Municipality and reach a T-junction with the R551 road.

The M61 continues north-north-east, still following the R59 Highway and the Klip River, bypassing Henley on Klip, meeting the R557 road at Randvaal, to reach Garthdale (Kliprivier), where the M61 reaches a junction with the R550 road.

[4]: 174  It passes through the Alrode suburb of Alberton to reach its northern terminus at a T-junction with the R554/R103 route co-signage (Heidelberg Road) south-east of the Alberton town centre.