It runs from north to south through the east-central part of the state, with a length of almost 33 miles (53 km).

SH-72 begins at U.S. Highway 266 west of Checotah[1] and heads north, passing through Council Hill after 4 miles (6.4 km).

Past Boynton, the concurrent routes have a junction with US-64 and SH-16; here, US-62 splits off of SH-72 and US-64 joins it.

[3] The clearance below the railroad underpass in downtown Coweta near the junction with SH-51 was previously only 13 ft (4.0 m).

Between February 2009 and April 2010, the crossing was rehabilitated and expanded, with the clearance increased to 17 ft 1 in (5.21 m).