US 23 and SR 32 offer a more straight route with a higher speed limit, though less direct.

The route goes north through a couple of traffic lights before passing through Portsmouth, Eden Park, Twin Valley, Rubyville, and Clarktown before it continues due east toward Minford.

After reaching the Scioto County and Jackson County line, SR 279 splits off of State Route 139 and heads toward Oak Hill.

The route then briefly overlaps SR 93 in downtown Jackson, terminating 0.15 miles (0.24 km) north where State Route 93 turns east.

[3][4] No major changes have occurred to SR 139's routing since it was first designated.