Its western terminus is at SR 241 about 4.50 miles (7.24 km) north of Massillon, and its eastern terminus is at the northern junction of I-77 and US 62 approximately 2.50 miles (4.02 km) northwest of downtown Canton.

SR 687 runs entirely within the northwestern quadrant of Stark County, mostly in Jackson and Plain townships.

The NHS is a network of highways identified as being most important for the economy, mobility and defense of the country.

The original routing of the highway consisted of Fulton Drive from SR 236 north of Massillon to the present western terminus of SR 687 at SR 241; the entire current length of SR 687 into Canton; and Fulton Drive from the present eastern terminus of the route at I-77/SR 62 southeast into downtown Canton, where it came to an end at SR 172 (designated US 30 until the late 1970s).

[6][7] On the eastern end, jurisdiction of the portion of SR 687 between I-77/US 62 and SR 172 in Canton was transferred from the state of Ohio to the city of Canton between 1988 and 1992.