The route starts out in a northeasterly direction, but as it sweeps by the southeast corner of the former Woodville Mall, it turns due east, as it lines itself up with the boundary between Lake Township and the City of Northwood.

SR 579, which starts out briefly as a five-lane road, quickly narrows down to two lanes, and enters into a more rural setting.

[3] Once it enters into Ottawa County's Allen Township, SR 579 continues on an easterly path, traversing numerous fields and passing by the occasional house.

Past Genoa-Clay Center Road, SR 579 enters into the unincorporated community of Williston, where the state route is primarily a residential street.

Following a split intersection with Martin-Williston Road and a railroad crossing, it treks back into rural territory.