SR 179 runs from its southern terminus at the duplex of SR 39 and SR 60 nearly 0.50 miles (0.80 km) northwest of the limits of the village of Nashville to its northern terminus at a signalized intersection with SR 60 in Hayesville.

SR 179 traverses the northwestern portion of Holmes County and the southeastern quadrant of Ashland County.

No part of this state highway is included within the National Highway System (NHS).

The NHS is a system of routes that are identified as being most important for the economy, mobility and defense of the country.

This highway has maintained the same routing between SR 39 near Nashville and SR 60 in Hayesville for its entire lifetime.