NY 690's southern terminus is at an interchange with the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90 or I-90) and I-690 in Van Buren.

NY 690 serves the northwest suburbs of Syracuse and Onondaga County.

It also provides a link to routes that run into the populated areas of Oswego County, because its northern terminus is just a few miles shy of the county line.

The route, still a freeway, parallels Van Buren Road to its southeast for a short distance, running from northwest to southeast, before meeting the road northwest of the Thruway by way of an interchange.

Outside of Baldwinsville, the road begins to turn to the north as it has an exit for Downer Street Road, which carries NY 31 west of the interchange.