Most of the route is a rural two-lane highway and passes through woodland, farmland and residential areas.

For some of its path, SR 97 runs near the Clear Fork Mohican River.

The highway passes through farmland and Blooming Grove, before having a T-intersection with the eastern terminus of SR 288.

After SR 546, the concurrency crosses the Clear Fork Mohican River and the road curves towards the northeast, passing through commercial properties.

The route passes through commercial and industrial properties, before leaving Lexington.

The route crosses over the Clear Fork Mohican River again, before curving due east, passing through residential properties.

The route makes a sharp turn towards the south-southeast crossing the Clear Fork Mohican River for the final time.

East of Butler the road curves towards the northeast, passing through woodland and farmland as a two-lane highway.

The highway ends at an intersection with SR 3 in rural Hanover Township, Ashland County.