The southern terminus of the route is at a T-intersection with SR 13 immediately north of the city limits of Newark.

Its northern terminus is at a T-intersection with the concurrency of US 36 and SR 3 about 1 mile (1.6 km) northeast of Centerburg.

This state highway passes through the northwestern quadrant of Licking County and the southwestern corner of Knox County.

SR 657 is not included as a part of the National Highway System, a system of routes deemed most important for the nation's economy, mobility and defense.

No significant changes have taken place to the routing of SR 657 since its designation.