Its northern terminus is at SR 550 approximately two miles (3.2 km) west of Amesville.

This two-lane state highway was established in the late 1930s.

Running entirely within Athens County, SR 690 passes through Wayne National Forest and serves as a quicker route connecting SR 550 to the Athens Bypass.

[4] SR 690 was designated in 1937 along the routing that it occupies to this day.

[1][6] Other than the aforementioned realignment and the fact that the highway intersecting the route at its northern terminus was originally designated as US 50 Alternate before later becoming SR 550, the highway has not experienced any major changes to its routing since it first appeared.