It runs entirely in Hancock County for a distance of 22 miles (35 km) between Ellsworth and Aurora.

SR 179 begins at a skewed intersection with U.S. Route 1A (US 1A) about 1.6 miles (2.6 km) northwest of downtown Ellsworth, but still within the city limits.

Within the small commercialized settlement of Ellsworth Falls, SR 179 immediately crosses a disused railroad and a new rail trail past the US 1A intersection.

It reaches a small clearing at the top of the ridge and curves to the northeast to begin descending the hill.

SR 179 then enters Aurora passing over rolling hills, traveling west of Giles Pond, and heading through a mix of cleared and wooded areas.