For the majority of its journey, this two-lane highway winds its way through the woods, passing by the occasional field and house.

SR 691 starts out trending in a northeasterly direction, then turns to the north as it approaches Township Highway 556.

SR 691 meets the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway, then passes by the Tri-County Vocational School.

SR 691 then crosses the Hocking River, and immediately after doing so, meets US 33 Business, the former route of US 33 before October 2013.

[5][6] The route remained unchanged until October 1, 2013, when the completion of the Nelsonville Bypass led to the construction of a new bridge over the Hocking River and a small extension north to a new interchange with US 33.