This highway passes through the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.

This 869-kilometre-long (540 mi) highway passes through Jhansi, Chhatarpur, Panna, Satna, Rewa, Rampur Naikin, Sidhi, Singrauli, Renukut, Shaktinagar, and some major town in Jharkhand with 604-kilometre-long (375 mi) length in Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh & rest 265-kilometre-long (165 mi) stretch in Jharkhand, starting from Kanhar near Garhwa , connecting NH-139 in Daltonganj, then passes through Latehar, connecting NH-22 at Chandwa, connecting NH-143A in Kuru, Lohardaga then passes through Chanho, Mandar, Ratu, and finally ends at Ring Road, Tupudana, Ranchi NH39 is sadly one of the worst Highways in India as per route conditions.

The highway is 4 laned between Jhansi-Khajuraho, Satna-Rewa, Sidhi-Tenduha, Garhwa-Kundi & Kuru, Lohardaga-Ranchi stretches covering just 370-kilometre-long (230 mi) of distance.

Rest 499-kilometre-long (310 mi) is 2 laned & has serious bad road conditions.

NHAI is working to make 192-kilometre-long (119 mi) more stretch into 4 lane by 2026.