The road was numbered due to its being an extension of K-96 and its eastern terminus was in Carthage.

Route 96 begins at a partial interchange with Interstate 44 (I-44) just west of Halltown (there is no access to westbound I-44 or from eastbound I-44).

Approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) west of I-44 is the western terminus of Route 266.

At Garrison Avenue, the highway begins a concurrency with Route 571 and the road becomes a wide boulevard.

The road then traveled 2 miles (3.2 km) further west and crossed the Kansas state line.