The route runs in a general southwest to northeast fashion, and is signed north–south accordingly.

The southern terminus is at an intersection with State Route 212 1-mile (1.6 km) south of Leesville, and the northern terminus is at Interstate 680 and Western Reserve Road on the Beaver and Boardman township boundary between North Lima and Boardman.

The southern part of the route serves more rural areas while it makes its way through larger villages and cities toward its northern end.

[2][3] The highway was rerouted from North Lima to Youngstown along previous Route 7, in 1926.

[6][7] The route was extended southeast to the current intersection at SR 212, south of Leesville, in 1938.